Minella Rocco among three National absentees as going changes to heavy

Following further rain throughout an unpleasant Friday, the official going on the Grand National course is now heavy, soft in places, while the Mildmay and hurdles courses are described as soft.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said after racing on Friday: "We'll leave the descriptions as they are overnight. The rails will be moved in four or five yards to the inner line, providing some fresh ground.

"The forecast looks dry, with a bit of cloud tomorrow morning and then hopefully brightening up from about midday."

Conditions for the Randox Health Grand National were guaranteed to be testing, but the extra rain resulted in three late non-runners from the field declared at Thursday's 48-hour deadline.

Last year's Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco, dual Scottish National winner Vicente and Beeves were taken out, giving three of the four reserves – Thunder And Roses, Delusionofgrandeur and Walk In The Mill – a chance to run in the race.

The weights were increased 1lb as a result of topweight Minella Rocco's withdrawal, putting Blaklion at the head of the handicap.

Minella Rocco, who was set to carry 11st 10lb, had also been pulled out of last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup on the day of the race on account of the soft going.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: "It's very frustrating to say the least but, after talking the matter over with the horse's connections, we've reached the decision that Minella Rocco will miss the race on account of the ground.

"The rain seems to keep falling and it has gone heavy on the Canal Turn so it's going to be soft everywhere else and he just doesn't handle that sort of ground, so we have reluctantly decided not to run."

Thunder And Roses beat subsequent Grand National hero Rule The World into second in the 2015 renewal of the Irish equivalent. He will be ridden by JJ Slevin, who himself gained an Irish Grand National win just last week on General Principle.

Vicente was immediately rerouted to next Saturday's Scottish Grand National in which he will bid for a third win in a row.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "Vicente will go to Ayr [for the Scottish Grand National]. It's pointless going out in the National when things are against you. I would've been very concerned with his jumping off that ground.

"One thing he does do at Ayr on better ground is jump well so I'm hoping the forecast is right and from Tuesday onwards it'll dry up right to the day and we can go there with a chance.

"It's the right decision and I'm really pleased because I was getting nervous about running him. If it had dried up to good to soft, it wouldn't have been a bother but this rain has gone against him."

Delusionofgrandeur will be ridden by Henry Brooke and Walk In The Mill will be the mount of amateur Sam Waley-Cohen.

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