LATE MIDNIGHT CALL

D’Air raid cancelled

CHAMPION HURDLE winner Buveur D’Air will not bid for back-to-back victories in Thursday’s Betway Aintree Hurdle due to an unsatisfactory trachea wash.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He was found to have a small amount of mucus which means we can’t run him. The horse’s welfare is of paramount importance.”

Footpad has been ruled out of Thursday’s Novices’ Chase following a bad scope.

CAUSE OF CAUSES, who finished second in last year’s Grand National, has been retired. SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT has been bought by David and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud in time for Saturday’s Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.

Trained by Sandy Thomson and previously owned by his wife Quona, Seeyouatmidnight is a general 20-1 shot for the big race.

A total of 63 horses remain engaged at the five-day confirmation stage but a maximum of 40 will line up.