The latest round of scratchings for the Grand National has resulted in ten horses being taken out of the race, leaving a field of 34 contenders for the upcoming event at Aintree. Horse racing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the prestigious £1 million National Hunt race, which will feature top staying chasers navigating 30 fences over a challenging four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong course.
Since 2024, the field size for the Grand National has been capped at 34 horses, down from 40. As the race on April 11 draws near, the list of potential runners is starting to take shape. Recent scratchings saw three horses withdrawn earlier in the week, including notable competitors like Grey Dawning, Resplendent Grey, and Gentlemansgame.
In the latest update, seven more horses have been removed from the lineup, including entries from trainers like Gordon Elliott, Ben Pauling, and Anthony Honeyball. The final field of 34 contenders is now headlined by the duo from Willie Mullins stable, featuring past winners I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West, who finished third in the previous edition.
With the possibility of further changes in the coming weeks, as some horses may opt for the Irish National on April 6 instead, the lineup remains fluid. Among the hopefuls is Haiti Couleurs, a strong British contender who has shown promise in recent races. Trainer Rebecca Curtis is optimistic about his chances and is keen to see him perform well at Aintree, provided he remains in good form leading up to the race.