LORD RELIC is the latest horse to be announced a nonrunner in the Martell Grand National a week on Saturday. The 10 year old, runner up in last season's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, is to be given a rest after being pulled up in last week's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
"He won't run in the National and we have brought him back to Steve Brookshaw's stable for a break," explained Stan Clarke, husband of the Martin Pipe trained gelding's owner.
"There is nothing wrong with him but he is just a bit off colour so I said to Mr Pipe that it wasn't much fun for the horse or the owner if he wasn't sparkling so we are giving him a rest. There are a number of races he could still go for this season."
Rough Quest and Young Hustler are now set to be the only Gold Cup runners to take their chance in the National. Pipe still has the 1994 winner Miinnehoma, Chatam, Riverside Boy and Encore un Peu engaged in the National. The stable reports that no decision will be made on running plans until the weekend.
He said: "Lord Relic doesn't run. At this stage the others probably will but we've made no definite plans as yet".
Sue Bramall is aiming to end her British career on a high note with Antonin's tilt at the race. The Thirsk trainer is moving to Ireland at the end of this month and several of her horses head to Doncaster sales next week.
But Antonin, winner of the Racing Post Chase and Ritz Club Chase in 1994, remains firmly on course for Aintree. Though the eight year old has failed to win in the last two seasons, his trainer was encouraged by his recent third in an amateur riders' event at Kelso.
"I think he showed signs he was coming back to form last time and he could be very well handicapped," Miss Bramall said. "He is very well and will run in the National with John Burke riding. Whether he will take to the race couldn't say but he is a very athletic little horse and he would jump a house if he had to.
"The plans for my move are going okay but I will still have runners up to Aintree, with the last being Colonel George in the bumper.
Scotland's only remaining entry, Emerald Storm, goes on trial for the race at Kelso today. The nine year old contests the King's Own Scottish Borderers Challenge Cup and may be tuned out again at Aintree just eight days later.
Rubstic is the only Scottish trained horse to win the Grand National, scoring to Denholm based Steve Leadbetter in 1979, though runners from north of the border finished second in the ace nine times in the preceding 40 years.
Emerald Storm has won twice at, Kelso this season, his first since joining Monteith, and is quoted at 100 to 1 for the National by Ladbrokes. Simon McNeill is confident he will be fit to partner Bishops Hall, despite not having ridden since he dislocated a shoulder at Cheltenham last week.
Deep Bramble pleased trainer Paul Nichols in an after racing, gallop at Wincanton yesterday, Ridden by big race pilot Tony McCoy he beat stablemate - Straight Talk - over two miles.
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