Red Striker pulls out of Grand National
Red Striker will not run in tomorrow’s Martell Cognac Grand National, trainer Richard Guest said today.
“I’ve decided to take him out now, so it will let one of the reserves in there,” he announced.
Guest had been concerned about the drying ground at Aintree for the mud-loving Red Striker and he made the decision after walking the course this morning.
“They’ve had two millimetres of rain and it’s going to be a bright, sunny drying day. I’ve just had a walk round there and it’s good ground, but he needs it softer,” he said.
The deadline for reserves was 9.30am today and Bramblehill Duke will now take Red Striker’s place in the Grand National with saddle cloth number 20.
James Davies will ride Bramblehill Duke.
Red Striker has not raced since unseating Larry McGrath four out when racing in mid-division in last year's Grand National and was a top-priced 66-1 for this year's race.
The Venetia Williams-trained Bramblehill Duke also failed to get round 12 months ago. He was one of the rank outsiders at 200-1 and he only got as far as the second fence.
