Dame Judi’s horse out of the National
TEN-TIME champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls could field only one runner in the £1million Randox Health Grand National a week on Saturday after As De Mee, the gelding partowned by Dame Judi Dench, was ruled out. The eight-year-old, which the Oscar-winning actress owns with Andy Stewart, has sustained a leg injury but should be training by Christmas. Nicholls still has Sky Bet Handicap Chase runnerup Warriors Tale in the race. He will be ridden by Sean Bowen. Nicholls’ other National possible is grounddependant Vicente, who has the option seven days later of trying to become the first horse to win three straight
Scottish Nationals since Couvrefeu II (1911-1913). Nicholls said: ‘It is disappointing with As De Mee. Hopefully he will be back next year. Warriors Tale will definitely run and we will look at the ground with Vicente. ‘If it was soft he would be better off waiting for Ayr. I am quite keen to go there.’ As De Mee’s absence leaves Bryony Frost free to take the ride on her Neil King-trained Warwick Classic Chase winner Milansbar, who she will school over National-style fences in Lambourn this morning.