Grand National 2019: Mall Dini ruled out with injury as 40 are declared

Forty runners were declared for Saturday's 2019 Randox Health Grand National on Thursday but Mall Dini won't be among them after being ruled out with a leg injury. First reserve Just A Par takes his place with Aidan Coleman picking up the ride.

Although among the final declarations, the Pat Kelly-trained nine-year-old was ruled out on Thursday evening.

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Philip Reynolds, owner of Mall Dini, said: "Sadly he will not be able to run. Just before the start of the Red Rum Chase we heard that he has got a leg injury.

"I've been waiting for a National runner all my life and I've lost him on the eve of the Grand National. I'm really upset, it's not been a great year."

There was delight, however, for trainer Rebecca Curtis, who breathed a sigh of relief after the well-supported Joe Farrell crept into the race at the final declaration stage.

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Last year's Scottish Grand National winner, who sat one spot outside the top 40 prior to Thursday, benefited after Willie Mullins opted not to declare Pairofbrowneyes in Saturday's £1 million race at Aintree.

Curtis said: "We're absolutely delighted he's got in. It was probably the nerviest couple of hours I've had waiting for those decs, but it's great that we've got him at the bottom at the nice low weight. He stays really well and is in good form so all we need now is a bit of luck."

Mullins said: "We've decided not to declare Pairofbrowneyes as we're going to wait for the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday instead."

Gordon Elliott is set to surpass his mentor Martin Pipe's record for runners in the Grand National, with the trainer declaring 11 of the 40 runners. Elliott had already announced the riding plans for his contenders, with Davy Russell reunited with last year's winner and general 7-2 favourite Tiger Roll.

Of the nine runners owned by Gigginstown House Stud, Tiger Roll has been assigned first colours, while Monbeg Notorious sports the blue cap which racing manager Eddie O'Leary is convinced is lucky. A blue cap was worn by David Mullins aboard Grand National winner Rule The World in 2016.

On Thursday evening, 2015 RSA Chase winner Don Poli was sold to trainer Phil Kirby for £170,000 at the Aintree Sale, while former stablemate and Grade 1 scorer Outlander was purchased by bloodstock agent JD Moore for £165,000.

Barry Geraghty suffered a broken leg in a fall in the Topham Chase and has been replaced on Anibale Fly by Mark Walsh, who switches from Regal Encore. Jonathan Burke picks up the ride on Regal Encore.

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THE FINAL GRAND NATIONAL LINE-UP

1. Anibale Fly (Mark Walsh)
2. Valtor (Daryl Jacob)
3. Tiger Roll (Davy Russell)
4. Outlander (James Bowen)
5. Don Poli (Patrick Mullins)
6. Go Conquer (Sam Twiston-Davies)
7. Mala Beach (Jamie Codd)
8. Minella Rocco (Richie McLernon)
9. Lake View Lad (Henry Brooke)
10. Pleasant Company (Paul Townend)
11. Ballyoptic (Tom Bellamy)
12. Dounikos (Jack Kennedy)
13. Rathvinden (Ruby Walsh)
14. One For Arthur (Derek Fox)
15. Rock The Kasbah (Richard Johnson)
16. Warriors Tale (Harry Cobden)
17. Regal Encore (Jonathan Burke)
18. Magic Of Light (Paddy Kennedy)
19. A Toi Phil (Denis O'Regan)
20. Jury Duty (Robbie Power)
21. Noble Endeavor (Mark Enright)
22. Monbeg Notorious (Sean Bowen)
23. Ramses De Teillee (David Noonan)
24. Tea For Two (Lizzie Kelly)
25. Just A Par (Aidan Coleman)
26. Step Back (Nico de Boinville)
27. Ultragold (Tom O'Brien)
28. Blow By Blow (Andrew Ring)
29. Up For Review (Danny Mullins)
30. Singlefarmpayment (Paddy Brennan)
31. Vieux Lion Rouge (Tom Scudamore)
32. Valseur Lido (Rachael Blackmore)
33. Vintage Clouds (Danny Cook)
34. General Principle (JJ Slevin)
35. Livelovelaugh (David Mullins)
36. Walk In The Mill (James Best)
37. Folsom Blue (Luke Dempsey)
38. Captain Redbeard (Sam Coltherd)
39. Bless The Wings (Robbie Dunne)
40. Joe Farrell (Adam Wedge)

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