Three reserves make final Grand National field after spate of late withdrawals

Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam have taken the final spots in the Randox Grand National on Saturday after Phoenix Way, Easysland and Lord Du Mesnil were declared non-runners for the Aintree showpiece.

The runners were withdrawn shortly before the 1pm cut-off point on Friday, which allowed the first three reserves to make the final field ahead of Saturday's contest.

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Phoenix Way, trained by Harry Fry, was withdrawn due to a temperature and the Jonjo O'Neill hopeful Easysland was pulled out after a bad scope.

Lord Du Mesnil, who was pulled up in the contest last year, was withdrawn by trainer Richard Hobson due to the going, which is currently described as good to soft.

The Venetia Williams-trained Commodore has raced just once this season when cruising to a 15-length success in the Grade 3 Betfair Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in December and will be the trainer's sole runner in the National.

Williams said: "I didn't think it looked likely but it's great he managed to get in and he can take his chance."

Commodore: made it into the final National field after the withdrawal of Phoenix WayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The loss of Easysland makes room for another JP McManus runner in School Boy Hours, who shortened into 25-1 (from 40) following his admission into the final field.

"It's great to get in," trainer Noel Meade said, who is bidding for a first Grand National success. "He's exactly the type of horse you want to run in the Grand National because he has loads of size and scope and you'd imagine that he will take to the Aintree fences really well.

"Having said that, Tiger Roll wasn't a very big horse and he excelled around Aintree, but we've always felt that School Boy Hours could be a live player in the Grand National."

Saturday's race will be a first time over the national fences for all three additional runners, with Roi Mage the only reserve not to make the final cut.

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