2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur won’t be permitted to take part in the prep race for the 2019 National due to the new restrictions introduced following the outbreak of equine flu last week. Trainer Lucinda Russell informed the media that the horse had yet to be vaccinated against the virus and won’t appear at Haydock on Saturday afternoon.
One For Arthur has been given a weight of 10st 10lb for the Grand National and Russell has indicated that she wishes to run him before the big race.
A total of 110 entries have been aimed at this year’s Grand National with the lower-rated runners eliminated closer to the big day itself. A maximum of forty horses will take part in the famous steeplechase with Ronnie Wood’s Sandymount Duke the last horse to be guaranteed a run at this stage.
UK horse racing is due to resume this afternoon with meetings at Kempton, Musselburgh, Plumpton and Southwell. 174 stables were locked down during the spread of the virus with six horses testing positive at Donald McCain’s yard and a further four cases being confirmed at Simon Crisford’s yard. The BHA gave the all-clear on Monday evening for all UK horse racing to resume this afternoon although there are restrictions in place with any horses which haven’t been vaccinated during the last six months not allowed to race for the time being.
