Bristol De Mai, who was rated the top-weight for the Grand National, will not be running in the race after it was decided he will go for the Aintree Bowl instead.

The outstanding Grey ran a brilliant third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but trainer  Nigel Twiston-Davies has decided against taking on the the world’s most famous steeplechase with 11st 10lb on their back.

Twiston-Davies said: “He’s fine and the plan is to run in the Bowl.

“It was just decided that on his Gold Cup form he ought to win the Bowl and it’s possibly the easier option.

“He’s in good form.”