Gold Present taken out of Grand National as final 40 runners are confirmed

Gold Present, who had been a 25-1 shot to end Nicky Henderson's Grand National hoodoo, was not among the final declarations on Thursday morning for the Randox Health-sponsored prize, meaning Road To Riches crept into the Aintree highlight.

Grand National runners and riders

The eight-year-old was the only absentee of those guaranteed a run, leaving Thunder And Roses, Delusionofgrandeur, Walk In The Mill and Vintage Clouds on the reserve list.

Thunder And Roses would be first to come in followed by Delusionofgrandeur, Walk In The Mill and Vintage Clouds if there are any other defectors, although any of the reserves have only until 1pm on Friday to make the line-up.

Sean Bowen, however, will participate in the Merseyside marathon as his mount Warriors Tale was among those confirmed on Thursday morning.

Bowen, an ambassador for Market Rasen racecourse, said: "I think he has a great chance.

"It's been wet across Britain for weeks and it's still raining, but the good news for me is that my horse is very versatile. He's won on soft and good to soft going, but he races on any surface. With an unsettled forecast in Liverpool, that stands me in good stead."

It is a fourth ride in the world-famous race for Bowen, whose partner - trained by Paul Nicholls - can be backed at 50-1.

"My horse's best runs have come when he races left-handed and on a flat track," the jockey added. "That's illustrated by his great form at Newbury, where he has won twice and been narrowly second in the last year or so. As it is left-handed and flat at Aintree, I'm confident about his prospects.

"He's had a nice break since his last run when he was very narrow runner-up in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster. He was the winner for the whole of the race that day, except on the finishing line.

"Warriors Tale is a great jumper and of course he'll need to be over the unique fences at Aintree."

Declarations also came for Saturday's Ryanair Stayers Hurdle on Thursday morning.

They include Sam Spinner, Wholestone and L'Ami Serge, while Coole Cody will be a first Grade 1 runner for trainer Michael Blake.