MR INCREDIBLE has been BANNED from running in this weekend’s Grand National.
Sandy Thomson’s nine-year-old was scratched from the contest after BHA officials decided it wasn’t in the interests of the race for him to run.
Thomson bought Mr Incredible out of Willie Mullins’ yard last year for owner James Manclark, whose dream is to have a runner in the Aintree spectacular.
The horse arrived with a reputation for being tricky after refusing to race in the past, but was second in the Midlands Grand National 12 months ago.
Thomson was told the BHA wanted to see him start a race, which he did at Kelso on March 22 before being pulled up by jockey Ryan Mania.
The Scottish Borders-based trainer even enlisted renowned equine specialist Freddy Steele in ironing out the gelding’s quirks.
But their work has come to nothing with the authorities deciding the horse won’t be allowed to compete this weekend for fear he will disrupt the start.
Thomson, who turned around tricky former G1 winner Yorkhill – another ex-Mullins charge – to win the Rehearsal Chase in 2020, said: “I was contacted after entry asking to withdraw Mr Incredible but James had bought the horse to run in the National.
“This horse, if he turned up and showed his true form, would have a chance.
“After Kelso they asked again if we wanted to withdraw so we declined and it went to an appeal.
“It was fairly unsatisfactory as it was only three heads of department from the BHA who were deciding what their staff had already decided.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Willie Mullins’ Grand National jockey bookings revealed but horse he ‘really likes’ missing from squad” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6370631930112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“Unlike a disciplinary appeal where there’s a separate panel away from the BHA.
“They had two issues, one was that he would disrupt the start.
“Although there were antics at the start, the only time he didn’t walk in to the start was when he had cheekpieces on one day and refused to walk in.
“Every other time, such as Wetherby or Ayr, he’d walk in and caused absolutely no problem to the starter.
“He didn’t get to the first fence at Wetherby, he got ten yards and said that was enough. So he’s never disrupted a start.
“They also said his form wasn’t good enough.
“But their guidelines are they’re meant to take the last six runs – and within that he was second in the Midlands National.
“So we are where we are, it’s obviously very disappointing because we have put in a huge amount of work with him.
“People say he pulled up at Kelso but I spoke to Patrick Mullins and he said once he got detached it would be a major problem for you.
“Five runners, he missed a fence at the top of the back straight and got a bit behind so Ryan said there was no point going on.
“It’s reminiscent of Yorkhill, who went to Aintree for the Old Roan and was pulled up about four out.
“Then he started about 80/1 for the Rehearsal Chase and we know what happened.
“With these old horses, quirky horses, it’s very important they have a nice time when they go.
“He was bouncing after Kelso and there would be plenty of horses around him at Aintree
“He’s in the Scottish National at Ayr and will be put in the Bet365 at Sandown.
“Those are really the only two options.
“I’m very confident, he’s come back in really good form.
“People are cribbing, saying he pulled himself up but that’s a matter of conjecture.
“Ryan and I were quite happy with what happened at Kelso.”
Mr Incredible unseated rider Brian Hayes during last year’s running of the famous steeplechase.
Hayes fell off just after The Chair, with Mahler Mission also unseating Ben Harvey at the same fence.
Stumptown, who won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham earlier this month, is the market leader for this year’s race.
The 2024 winner I Am Maximus, owned by JP McManus and trained by Mullins, is generally listed as the third favourite at around 9/1.
Another McManus-owned horse in Iroko is also near the top of the market with French-bred Intense Raffles also prominent.
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