Paul Nicholls reveals National jockey bookings while Hughes heads to Sedgefield

They are the 40 most prized seats in the weighing room and 2021 Grand National rides are disappearing quickly with a whole host of bookings announced on Wednesday.

Paul Nicholls revealed his two runners, Give Me A Copper and Yala Enki, would be ridden by stable jockeys Harry Cobden and Bryony Frost respectively, while Jonjo O'Neill Jr was confirmed for Mister Malarky.

Robbie Power will keep his partnership intact on the Jessica Harrington-trained Magic Of Light, runner-up to Tiger Roll in 2019, while Nick Scholfield is booked to replace Paul O'Brien on Lord Du Mesnil.

Nicholls said: "We've got Yala Enki, who I think is a really lively outsider for Bryony, and Give Me A Copper, who Harry will ride. Give Me A Copper is good when he's fresh, which is why we haven't run him since Doncaster. We think the National might suit him and hopefully he's on a going day."

Give Me A Copper: will be ridden by Harry Cobden in the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Champion jockey Brian Hughes, who rides Lake View Lad in the Randox-sponsored marathon, has opted to skip the second day of the three day meeting and instead goes to Sedgefield for six rides.

Hughes had intended to be at Aintree for all three days, but with his title battle with Harry Skelton escalating and his main rival committed to Aintree, Hughes has taken the opportunity to go elsewhere in the search for winners.

One jockey who will not be in action this week, and for the foreseeable future, is Sean Houlihan who is awaiting an operation on his back following a horror fall at Plumpton on Monday.

His boss Philip Hobbs said: "He was supposed to have an operation today on a vertebra he's smashed, but that's now being left until tomorrow.

"He's broken a rib as well. I don't know how long he'll be off, but obviously it'll be a bit. We'll know more after he's had the operation, probably on Friday."

Randox Grand National betting

Paddy Power: 4-1 Cloth Cap, 8 Burrows Saint, 10 Any Second Now, Kimberlite Candy, Minella Times, 12 Secret Reprieve, 14 Discorama, The Storyteller, 20 bar

Read more on the 2021 Grand National:

One trainer, jockey, horse and race to watch at the Grand National meeting

Everything you need to know about day one of the Grand National meeting

'A dream come true' – Foxtrot syndicate buzzing Hogan's Height National bid

'He's a hell of a horse' – Tom O'Brien can't wait for Thyme Hill at Aintree

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