Now Is The Hour among Grand National absentees

Thyestes Chase winner Now Is The Hour, French Dynamite and Blaze The Way joined expected absentee L’Homme Presse in not being left in the Randox Grand National at Monday’s confirmation stage.

With a final field of 34 due to face the starter, Ben Pauling’s Twig is now due to take the last spot if all those above him run.

Willie Mullins is responsible for 10, with nine guaranteed a run, including the last two winners of the Aintree spectacular in I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett. Also part of the Closutton team is Bobbyjo Chase winner and last year’s third Grangeclare West and Spanish Harlem, who is owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald, managing director of the race sponsors.

Haiti Couleurs, already the winner of the Irish and Welsh Nationals, will bid for a unique slice of turf history, while Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack will attempt to become the first mare to win since Nickel Coin in 1951.

Gavin Cromwell has seen his team reduced, however, with Now Is The Hour suffering an untimely setback.

Speaking to William Hill, Cromwell said: “Unfortunately, Now Is The Hour is out for the rest of the season and he’ll be taken out of the Grand National at the forfeit stage today.

“He’s had a great season, winning the Thyestes and running well at Cheltenham, and it’s a real shame for everyone because having a runner in the Grand National is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the owners.

“Final Orders and Perceval Legallois are both in good order and will be confirmed.”

A total of 49 horses remain in contention, with top-weight I Am Maximus a best priced 15-2 favourite with bet365 to become the first horse to regain the Grand National crown after losing it since the great Red Rum, who of course won three renewals between 1973 and 1977.

His stablemate Grangeclare West is a 10-1 shot, as is the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained Jagwar.

Haiti Couleurs is 12-1 alongside Iroko, who finished fourth as the 13-2 favourite 12 months ago for the Greenall-Guerriero combination.