Grand National favourite withdrawn by O'Neill

pulse

March 21, 2017 3:36 PM

The withdrawal of Minella Rocco sees Vieux Lion Rouge replace him as favourite at 10/1 for the National.

Minella Rocco (L, jockey with white cap) finished second in Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Sizing John

Ante-post favourite Minella Rocco will not run in the worlds most famous steeplechase, the Grand National, his trainer Jonjo ONeill announced on Tuesday.

O'Neill, who never rode the winner of the National but won the 2010 version as a trainer with Don't Push It, giving riding legend AP McCoy his only win in the race, is to aim the jumper at next year's blue riband Cheltenham Gold Cup, after the horse finished second in last week's version.

"Minella Rocco has been taken out of the Grand National this morning," tweeted the England-based Irish handler, who turns 65 next month.

"He's absolutely fine and we'll aim him at the Gold Cup again next year."

Owner JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said he would be put away for the season now.

"He's finished for the year now, he won't be going to Punchestown either.

"He's only seven and he had a hard race in the Gold Cup.

"It will take him a while to get over it so we felt we'd just look to next year with him," added Berry.

O'Neill, who failed to land a winner at the Festival last week, also withdrew another fancy and National veteran Shutthefrontdoor, who was McCoy's final ride in the race in 2015 finishing fifth -- he was a disappointing ninth last year.

O'Neill -- who will run Gold Cup sixth finisher More of That in the National -- will instead aim him for the Irish National, a race he won in 2014.

"Shutthefrontdoor has also been taken out of the Grand National and will head for the Irish Grand National next month," tweeted O'Neill.

The withdrawal of Minella Rocco sees Vieux Lion Rouge replace him as favourite at 10/1 for the National which takes place at Aintree racecourse on April 8th.

pulse