Time For A Run was confirmed as a non-runner in Saturday's Martell Grand National at Aintree by trainer Edward O'Grady yesterday.
"The horse is fine but not as well and perky as I'd like him to be going to Aintree. He will be aimed instead at the Irish Grand National," said O'Grady, who will still be represented in the great race by Ken Whelan's mount, Gimme Five, on whom Hills yesterday reported there was a cash bet of £10,000 each-way at 66 to 1 in one of their London offices.
Ireland will be two-handed, after all, in its bid to win the Grand National for the first time since L'Escargot in 1975. Co Carlow trainer Pat Fahy has decided that Dun Belle has recovered sufficiently from a poor effort in the Greenalls at Haydock last time to take her place.
After Haydock, Dun Belle was found to have mucus in her throat and Fahy said: "There is no way she could have operated that day but even so she jumped okay and we have got our fingers crossed for Saturday."
Belmont King will miss the big race after sustaining an overreach while cantering yesterday, revealed trainer Paul Nicholls.
Last season's Scottish Grand National winner was due to be partnered in the Aintree marathon by Timmy Murphy, who now switches to stable companion Court Melody.
Nicholls said: "We schooled Belmont King over fences this morning and he jumped fine but then sustained an overreach on his off foreleg whilst cantering afterwards."
The price of the favourite, former winner Rough Quest, has shortened dramatically. Ladbrokes have slashed him from 10 to 1 to 8 to 1, while Hills have taken the knife even deeper with the 1996 winner priced at 7 to 1.
Confirming that the ground is coming right for the mudlarks, Aintree's assistant clerk of the course Ian Renton said: "The last 24 hours have been dry but the forecast is for rain tomorrow and the going will certainly be on the soft side for the start of the meeting."
Arthur Moore could have four runners at the meeting, including Klairon Davis in Friday's Mumm Melling Chase. The former champion two-miler is set to again meet the new champion, One Man, and Richard Dunwoody will ride.
"I had been keeping an open mind about running but I now reckon he will provided the ground does not dry out," Moore said. His other planned runners are Grey Guy in the Sandeman Maghull Novices' Chase, Back Bar in the John Hughes Trophy and Jeffell in the Red Rum Chase.
Aidan O'Brien reports Istabraq to be on course for Saturday's Martell Hurdle and he could also be represented by Darapour in the Glenlivet Hurdle and Cloone Bridge in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle.
