Gigginstown withdraw Aintree big guns following weights row

Gigginstown's withdrawal of a controversially handicapped trio of Randox Health Grand National entries has helped cleared the way for Aintree veterans Highland Lodge and Vics Canvas.

Michael O'Leary had a war of words with BHA handicapper Phil Smith over his treatment of Outlander, Empire of Dirt and Don Poli, three of the original four top weights, and has lived up to his vow to take all three out at the first scratchings deadline.

Gigginstown withdrew eight horses in all - the others were Clarcam, Devils Bride, Tiger Roll, A Toi Phil and The Game Changer - and are now quoted at 25-1 (from 20) by Betway to repeat last year's win in the race.

With Champagne West also among the 15 horses removed by Tuesday's deadline, Irish Gold Cup fourth Carlingford Lough has been left heading the handicap, with weights up 4lb.

The withdrawals mean that Vics Canvas, who finished third last year, is guaranteed a place in the 40-runner field on April 8, when the 14-year-old would be bidding to become the oldest winner since 1853.

Last season's Becher Chase winner Highland Lodge, who finished a close second in the same race this term, is also assured of a spot.

He missed the cut in 2016 and, on finding he was now in the top 40, owner Simon Wilson said on Wednesday: "That's brilliant news. We were fairly confident he'd get in but all the niggling doubts have gone now and we just need to get him there fit on the day.

"I spoke to [trainer] Jimmy Moffatt yesterday and he's really pleased with how Highland Lodge is."

Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, said of the new top-weight: "We're considering running Carlingford Lough in the National. We'll make a final decision closer to the race. He's not entered for Cheltenham and is unlikely to run between now and the National."

He added: "Cheltenham should sort out plans for the other horses we've left in the National."

Junction Fourteen, who has not raced since finishing second at Ascot in October, is one of five National entries who could warm up in Saturday's BetBright Grimthorpe Chase, along with 2016 National runner-up The Last Samuri - who now has only Carlingford Lough above him in the Aintree weights.

"We'll see whether he's straight enough to go to Doncaster," said trainer Emma Lavelle. "If he doesn't we'll take him to Newbury for a racecourse gallop and then possibly run at Cheltenham.

"There was no doubt he kept going at Ascot over three miles and we think he has a chance of staying at Aintree. You never know until you run them as it's an extended distance, but I don't think it's the case we'll be going there thinking he's a very doubtful stayer."

Eider Chase winner Mysteree is among 55 entries for the £125,000 Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on March 18.

The best of the rest

Three National hopes who could still give Gigginstown Aintree success

Rogue Angel

Last year's Irish Grand National winner was well held in the Becher Chase last December and isn't guaranteed a place in the line-up, but at 33-1 he is the shortest-priced of Gigginstown's Aintree entries.

Road To Riches

A class act in his prime and finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015. However, he is without a win since that year and finished a remote fifth in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last time out.

Lord Scoundrel

The highest-weighted Gigginstown chaser left in the National, with 11st 4lb as things stand. The Galway Plate winner hasn't run since finishing third in Grade 1 company at Down Royal last November but has a couple of entries at Cheltenham.

Randox Health Grand National card and betting