Monbeg Genius among latest Grand National defections

Monbeg Genius, previously strongly fancied for Randox Grand National glory, has been scratched from the race at the latest confirmation stage.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained chaser has run disappointingly in his last two races, at Kelso and in the Ultima at Cheltenham when he was pulled up, and has been taken out along with 16 others.

He is owned by Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, who had a restraint order placed on some assets, although Monbeg Genius was not affected by that decision and has continued running in the colours of Barrowman Racing Limited.

Original top weight Hewick had already been scratched and others higher up in the list to come out include Asterion Forlonge, Threeunderthrufive, Letsbeclearaboutit, James Du Berlais and Longhouse Poet.

The others taken out on Tuesday were Busselton, Diol Ker, Macs Charm, Dunboyne, Mister Coffey, Moroder, Gevrey, Fiddlerontheroof, Highland Hunter and Revels Hill.

Those defectors mean Dan Skelton’s mare Galia Des Liteaux currently sits in the final guaranteed spot of 34th on the list ahead of the five-day confirmation stage on April 8 and final declarations on April 11.

Currently six horses from number 33 to 38 on the list are due to carry 10st 6lb, with their current handicap marks at the time of elimination to decide the order of balloting. Should that still be identical, it will then come down to a random ballot.