Mr Pointment & Abbeybraney NRs tomorrow

yep I've heard this to. Silver Birch running today so that means Cerium and Royal Rosa will defnitely get a run

Silver Birch wont run today if its in 2moro

Abbeybraney was always going to be a n/r, they want RR to run.

Silver Birch confirmed NR tomorrow

Confirmed :- Mr Pointment and Abbeybraney have been declared non-runners for the John Smith's Grand National, paving the way clear for Cerium and Royal Rosa to run in the race.

First-reserve Silver Birch has also been withdrawn, and is instead poised to run in this afternoon's John Smith's Topham Chase.

North Yorkshire trainer Paul Murphy issued a veterinary certificate for Mr Pointment and is to rely upon stablemate Cerium.

The nine-year-old, who is due to be ridden by Davy Russell, finished fifth in last year's National at odds of 100-1.

Howard Johnson has also substituted Royal Rosa for Abbeybraney after the latter had not eaten up overnight.

The Graham Wylie-owned 11-year-old is set to be partnered by Wilson Renwick.

Knowhere, the fourth reserve on the initial National list, has been eliminated.

i would like to see that veterinary certificate lol

Incredible coincidence that...the only two horses in a field of 40 not be 'right' straight after the declaration stage are 2 whose places will be filled by their stable-companions...really, what are the odds?...vet certificates, my arris....how much does it cost to buy off a vet these days?

Abbey not eaten up :^0

did they even bother to forward a reason for Mr Pointment or just chuck them a vet cert?

Must admit I had a chuckle at the reasons for the two not running so the 'preferred' two can get in !!

Glad Knowhere is a n/r, love that horse and hate him running in the race !!!

Do they really need to give reasons they have both said in the last week that they would pull one to get the other one in if there was a non-runner.

Daft that they need vet's certificates anyway. They're in a postition to pull a horse for one they feel has a better chance. Their choice imo.

It's been well known for at least a week that Abbeybraney would come out if RR had a chance of getting in.

It was only two days ago the trainer of Cerium was saying he only need one horse to drop out to get him into the race as he could pull out Mr Pointment, if he so wished..

Exactly. We all knew it was likely. Presumably Silver Birch coinnections were persuaded to stand aside...

Would have been slightly unfair if Silver Birch had have ran today and not been declared non-runner till after race so there would have only been 39 runners.

I'd be fairly confident that Murphy and HoJo were fully informed of Silver Birch's status.

Ok if you spend all day every day reading about horse racing, but vast majority of punters up and down the country have to do a day's work and may not be aware of trainers 'preferences'....if you think Abbeybraney will make the cut and back it ante post, you've every right to be ****** off to do your money cos trainer 'prefers' to run RRosa imo

^ I agree.

But those are the pitfalls of Ante Post betting unfortunately.

I understand what you're saying Duncan but would do the same as Murphy and Johnson if I was in their shoes, assuming I agreed with their assessment of their horse's chances.