Samuri heads National weights

PAGES OF FANTASTIC

THERE were 70 horses left in the Randox Health Grand National at the latest confirmation stage with 40 going to post on Saturday.

Last year’s runner-up The Last Samuri will shoulder top-weight of 11st 10lb following the withdrawal of dual Irish Gold Cup hero Carlingford Lough.

He will target the Irish version but owner JP McManus will still have four representing him. More Of That, the ® Gordon Elliott-trained Cause Of Causes, Pendra and Regal Encore could all run for him with his retained jockey Barry Geraghty leaving a decision on which one he will ride until as late as possible.

“Barry is going to leave it a couple of days to make his decision which one he rides,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.

“Aidan Coleman will ride one and possibly Jamie Codd. If the ground stays like it is, Regal Encore will probably run as well.

“At the minute we could have four runners.”

Carlingford Lough was one of six horses who were previously in the top 40 ruled out yesterday.

Alan King’s Ziga Boy was a general 50-1 shot having won the last two renewals of the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster, but he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a tendon injury.

Dan Downie, racing manager for the Axom syndicate that owns the grey, said: “It’s very disappointing, obviously. We nearly got there, but we all know how hard it is to get these horses ready for a big day and unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back to fight another day at some stage, but I would have thought he’ll miss the whole of next season.

“With a tendon injury, we could probably get him back in about a year’s time, but that would be pointless, so we’ll aim towards the autumn of 2018.” Other horses taken out include Alechi Inois, Foxrock and The Romford Pele, leaving La Vaticane and Doctor Harper jointly in the 40th spot, with the official elimination order yet to be confirmed.

The David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge, Definitly Red, Blaklion and One For Arthur all stood their ground.

Pipe’s La Vaticane and Doctor Harper occupy the 40th and 41st positions, with both horses weighted on 10st 6lb.