Punters hit as War is National absentee

ANTE-POST punters have suffered a blow with the news that the well–fancied War Of Attrition has been ruled out of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.

The 10–year–old was as low as 12–1 with Ladbrokes and had been the subject of a gamble for the four–and–a–half–mile marathon.

However, trainer Mouse Morris is not totally satisfied with the gelding and will now rely on Hear The Echo.

Davy Russell was set to ride War Of Attrition but will now switch to his stablemate.

Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh has ended speculation about his National mount by electing to ride My Will for Paul Nicholls.

The move sparked a cut in My Will’s odds and the Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth is now a best-priced 8-1 to give Walsh a third National success and the champion trainer’s first.

VOY Por Ustedes is primed to retain his John Smith's Melling Chase title at Aintree on Friday.

Alan King's eight–year–old defeated Master Minded 12 months ago, but needs to put a lacklustre Cheltenham display behind him.

Despite finishing second to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase, Voy Por Ustedes was not quite at his best and that is certainly the view of Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden.

"I don't want to take anything away from Imperial Commander who is very much an improving type, but I don't think we ran our best race,” said Simpson.

"Alan reports that the horse is in great shape. He has come out of the race well and we've got to look at that as a very positive thing. It looks a very good race and he'll be there doing his best.”