Pied Piper was drafted in as Nick Rockett’s replacement but trainer Gordon Elliott revealed on Thursday afternoon that he hadn’t made the trip to Aintree. Speaking to ITV Racing, Elliott explained that mobility issues had prevented Pied Piper from being able to take part.
« He’s going to miss the race, » announced Elliott. « We left the yard yesterday morning and rolled out and everything was sound, 100 per cent.
« He was a bit tight yesterday evening and he’s just not right this morning, he’s lame behind, so obviously horses come first and foremost.
« He’s at home. Very unfortunate for the owners, staff and everyone involved. He will be there for another day. »
It came just hours after Nick Rockett was withdrawn, prompting heartbreak for jockey Tom Bellamy who was picked for the huge ride by trainer Willie Mullins in a surprise call.
Broadcaster Matt Chapman told ITV: « It’s just extraordinary. It was head-blown wide-open stuff when Tom got the ride. I just cannot imagine how he has felt for the last 24 hours and now this morning.
« He is due to ride Marble Sands in the National, his hip popped out and then popped back in but obviously he is in a race to ride on Saturday.
« We all want Kielan on that horse but if he doesn’t make it, wouldn’t it be a fairy-tale if Graeme McPherson picked up the phone and said: ‘Tommy Bells, come and ride Marble Sands’, so you never know. It’s a funny old game, this. »
I Am Maximus, who finished second in the Grand National last year, is the early favourite to claim the spoils on Saturday.
If he is ridden to victory by Paul Townend, he will become the first winner to carry top weight since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s.
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