The weights for the 2024 £1million Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse have risen by 3lb following the official defection of top weight Hewick as 58 entries remain entered.
Apart from John 'Shark' Hanlon's King George VI Chase hero Hewick all of the leading fancies, including last year's winner and current 5-1 favourite Corach Rambler, stood their ground at the latest scratchings' stage for the Aintree showpiece. Hanlon confirmed last week that top weight Hewick would be taken out of the race and would instead be aimed at the Aintree Bowl Chase on the opening day after missing a crack at the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival due to the soft ground conditions. There are now 58 entries – with Gordon Elliott's Conflated becoming the new top weight on 11st12lb.
Last year's Aintree hero, the Lucinda Russell-trained Corach Rambler, who currently has to carry 11st5lb in his bid to become the 10th dual winner of the race, heads back to Aintree on April 13 as a warm favourite, as he was when he won last season. He warmed up for the defence of his National crown with a superb effort when third behind dual winner Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at Prestbury Park.
Under Derek Fox, who also partnered Russell's One For Arthur in his victory, Corach Rambler went on to land the world's greatest steeplechase last April, scoring by two-and-a-quarter-lengths from Irish raider Vanillier. Russell's two successes broke up the recent Irish dominance with five of the other winners from the past seven renewals hailing from the Emerald Isle.
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Some of the horses taken out of the race included Jonjo O'Neill's Monbeg Genius – who has been third in the Ultima Handicap
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