Ten horses have been scratched from the 2019 Grand National entry list at the latest forfeit stage and last year’s winner Tiger Roll still heads the betting as things stand. Gordon Elliott’s nine-year-old is being backed ante-post to repeat his success of 2018 and become the first runner since the infamous Red Rum to win the famous race on more than one occasion, BetVictor Bookmakers going 12/1 that he wins for the second time on the bounce.
The Elliott-trained horse will seek to successfully defend his Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase crown at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival in less than two weeks’ time before making his return to Aintree on 6th April. Elliott won the Grand National in 2007 with Silver Birch and this year’s hopeful Tiger Roll is just one of 21 entries from his stable, others including Grand National trial winner Dounikos and 2018 Irish National victor General Principle with weights of 10st 10lb and 10st respectively.
The ten horses which have been taken out of the line-up for the 2019 Grand National are: Allysion Monterg, Acapella Bourgeois, Auvergnat, Calett Mad, Ballyarthur, Rogue Angel, Missed Approach, Westerner Point, The Dutchman, Lieutenant Colonel and Skipthecuddles.
Warren Greatrex’s Missed Approach was a 33/1 ante-post chance to win the famous steeplechase with a sixth-place finish over the National fences in the Becher Chase in December. The nine-year-old also won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year but he is now out for the remainder of the season having unfortunately picked up an injury.
The trainer said: “Unfortunately, Missed Approach was found to be lame a couple of days ago.
“We’ve had a look at it – and while it’s nothing serious, I’m not going to be able to get him back this season.
“He should make a full recovery, and hopefully next season we can go along the same lines.”
“It’s a huge blow to us – because last year, after winning the Kim Muir, the plan was to have a go at the National this season.
“We ticked off another box when we went to the Becher Chase, because he took to those fences, and we were happy with him and the weight he had for the race.”
