Nick Rockett was officially withdrawn from the Grand National this morning after a self-certificate for coughing, making him a non-runner. According to Daily Express - Sport, Oli Bell described the breaking news as drama beginning at Aintree, noting that the fairytale for jockey Tom Bellamy was over before it had begun. The defending champion, who won last year's race ridden by amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, had been priced at around 16-1 to defend his crown.
Pied Piper, trained by Gordon Elliott, will substitute for Nick Rockett as the first reserve, though it remains unclear who will ride Pied Piper now that it is entering the race. The exact medical condition or severity of Nick Rockett's coughing issue has not been disclosed, nor has the official reason or process behind the self-certificate withdrawal been detailed. Nick Rockett is trained by Willie Mullins and had only competed once since his victory last April, finishing third at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day.
The drama has begun here at Aintree, because [there is] breaking news here on the opening show. In the last few seconds, it has been announced that Nick Rockett is a non-runner in the Grand National, a self-certificate for coughing. The fairytale for Tom Bellamy is over before it had begun, Matt?
He had been due to be partnered by jockey Tom Bellamy in the Grand National, and it is unknown how Bellamy's role will change following the withdrawal. According to Daily Express - Sport, Matt Chapman described the situation as extraordinary, noting that Bellamy's hopes were dashed after just 24 hours of anticipation, but suggested there could still be light at the end of the tunnel for him as one man's misfortune can be another's gain. In other developments, jockey Kielan Woods suffered a concerning fall at Fontwell yesterday, casting doubt on his participation in the Grand National.
According to Daily Express - Sport, Matt Chapman described Woods as having a horrible fall where his hip popped out and then popped back in. Woods is due to ride Marble Sands in the Grand National, but it is uncertain whether he will be medically cleared to ride on Saturday. The Grand National festival is underway with gates at Aintree opening at 11am this morning, and over 150,000 racegoers are anticipated across the three-day event.
It is just extraordinary. It was head-blown-wide-open stuff yesterday when Tom got the ride. I just can't imagine how he has felt for the last 24 hours and now this morning. However, for Tom Bellamy, there could still be light at the end of the tunnel. One man's misfortune can be another man's gain.
Yesterday at Fontwell, Kielan Woods had a horrible fall at the track. He's due to ride Marble Sands in the Grand National. His hip popped out and then popped back in, but obviously he's in a race against time to ride Marble Sands on Saturday.