'It is what it is' - Williams philosophical after Secret Reprieve misses out

Evan Williams took a philosophical view to the news Secret Reprieve, who appeared to have a hot chance in Saturday's Randox Grand National at Aintree, was denied the opportunity to run after missing the deadline to make the field.

Owned by the Rucker family, Secret Reprieve was a convincing winner of the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in January and was as short as 12-1 to triumph in the big one on Merseyside.

However, he was still rated too low to force his way into the 40-runner line-up and needed at least two horses to come out by 1pm on Friday for him and first reserve Some Neck, a general 33-1 shot, to take part.

5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting

"It is what it is," Williams said on Friday. "I don't see what the big fuss is about. I miss out getting into races every day of the week.

"He'll go out in the field now and I imagine within ten days he'll be back home with Mr and Mrs Rucker.

"Jeepers creepers, he's had a good season – he's won a Welsh Grand National, which was always an ambition of mine, so I've no issues missing out on Aintree.

"Let's hope it's a good race tomorrow and, most importantly, a safe one for every horse and rider."

Evan Williams: trainer was chuffed to win the Welsh NationalCredit: Harry Trump

Williams has all summer to plot a path next season for his smart chaser, and added: "I don't know what we'll do. There are plenty of options and it might be nice to go for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, although he normally takes a run or two to get into the swing of things. He might go back to the Welsh National – that wouldn't be a silly thing.

"Now's not the time to be thinking too far ahead. He's had a good old season and we'll see how he summers."

Lightly raced after just nine starts, the seven-year-old has time on his side.

"It's a strange thing how some horses do over the summer," said the trainer, who is based in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"There are some you think will improve and they go backwards, while there are some you think are at a level they'd stay at and they improve.

"I've known eight- and nine-year-olds go out in the field and improve, especially those old National Hunt-bred types, which is what he is.

"Look at [National favourite] Cloth Cap, he's a fine example of a horse who's done nothing but improve."

If you want more on the 2021 Grand National . . .

2021 Grand National: the runners, the odds, the verdict

2021 Grand National: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

What will the 2021 Randox Grand National winner look like?

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