75 Remain In The 2010 Grand National

The official list of entrants for the 2010 Grandpossible that his trainer decided that it would be too
National started off with 111 horses. With the weightsmuch to expect him to be ready again in time for
announced on February 16th, many trainers wereAintree especially as, based on his Cheltenham
disappointed with their handicap and as such hadperformance, he was not likely to win it.
tough decisions to make over the following fewThe debate over War of Attrition's entry since the
weeks.weights were announced has finally been put to bed
With the first scratchings deadline on March 2nd 2010,with trainer Mouse Morris officially withdrawing him
13 horses were excluded leaving 98 horses in thefrom contention. Speculation had arisen after Morris
running for the big race. But with Cheltenham soonopenly criticised the handicapper for giving War of
approaching many trainers used the festival toAttrition too high a handicap weight for the National
ultimately determine if their horses could cut thebut had still kept him in the running after the first
mustard on April 10th.official scratchings deadline. However, a relatively
It would appear that many could not because withpoor Cheltenham performance finally sealed the deal
the second official scratchings on March 22nd, aand he has decided that the 11 year old will not be
further 23 horses were eliminated from contentionrunning on April 10th.
leaving the now 75 horses to battle it out for one ofThough other noted horses have been withdrawn
the 40 places up for grabs.such as Our Vic, Roulez Cool, Gone to Lunch, Casey
There were a number of surprises among the horsesJones and Seven Is My Number, there were no real
that were withdrawn, most notably Albertas Runshock surprises amoung those now out of the race.
who, fresh off the back of the Ryanair Chase win atOf the 75 horses that still remain, a significant 63 of
Cheltenham, had looked very promising for the Grandthem all meet the minimum weight requirement to
National despite having been given the top weight oftake part which is very surprising and as a result
11-10. UK bookmakers had cut his odds significantlythere have been no amendments to the weights by
but the trainer and owner had a chat and decidedthe handicapper.
that although he won't be running in the GrandOne ante-post favourites that may miss the cut
National he is likely to take part in one of the otheraltogether because of the weights is the much
Aintree Meeting races.anticipated Chief Dan George, who on 10-02 has not
Possol, another ante-post favourite was also amet the minimum weight requirement of 10-07 and
surprise withdrawal. The seven year old, Henry Dalywith so many horses who have met the minimum still
french-bred horse, is fresh off the back of his Albertin, it does seem unlikely that he will get his shot at
Bartlett Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham where hethe Grand National this year.
finished fifth behind the winner Berties Dream. It is