Grand National 2024 runners reduced as horse is withdrawn on morning of race

The number of horses for Saturday’s Grand National has been reduced to 33 after Chambard was announced as a non-runner.

Chambard, trained by Venetia Williams, was a 66/1 outsider for the Aintree showpiece event but has been forced to withdraw after being pronounced lame. The 12-year-old last ran at Cheltenham and finished eighth after starting at odds of 40/1, having sat in the same position at Haydock earlier this year.

The news came as Aintree confirmed the ground is soft, good to soft in places after a dry night at the course. Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: “It was dry overnight and it’s good to soft, soft in places on the Mildmay courses and soft, good to soft in places on the National course. The forecast suggests there could be showers around from mid-morning.”

Meanwhile, Lucinda Russell has her sights on another monumental day at Aintree when Corach Rambler defends his title. The 10-year-old ran out an impressive winner 12 months ago and will attempt to join the likes of Tiger Roll and the legendary Red Rum on the select list of back-to-back champions.

Buoyed by the performance of Ahoy Senor at the track on Thursday, the Scottish trainer is hopeful ahead of her Cheltenham Gold Cup third’s quest to join the Aintree immortals.

Russell – like her jockey Derek Fox also victorious with One For Arthur in 2017 – said: “I love coming to Aintree, we’ve had so many great days here and the crowd are always so appreciative, I feel a great affinity with it, it’s magic.

“I wish I could skip forward to Sunday, but I’m really hopeful and obviously watching Ahoy Senor has boosted his form again as the winner (Gerri Colombe) was just in front of him in the Gold Cup.

Runners and riders at Aintree 2024

“We didn’t travel down until Thursday morning, which is different for us, but Scu (Peter Scudamore, assistant and partner) wanted to ride Corach on Thursday morning. The ground must be drying out and that is in his favour.”

Vanillier’s fast-finishing effort was ultimately in vain 12 months ago, but last year’s runner-up has been prepared with one day in mind as he bids to become the first grey in 12 years to win.

“We’ve trained him all year with this race in mind and he seems in good nick at home, so hopefully he will be right there,” said trainer Gavin Cromwell.

“He likes it at Aintree, so it would be good to see him run well there again.”

Cromwell will also be represented by Cheltenham Festival winner Limerick Lace, who will try to end the 70-year plus losing run for mares in the National. He continued: “I suppose she goes on the ground, but whether she will stay on that ground, I’m not particularly sure – it’s going to take a lot of getting.

“She’s only a seven-year-old, but she is going into the race in good form and off a light weight and we hope she has a chance.”