Sam Winner withdraws from Grand National at Aintree

Paul Nicholls-trained Sam Winner has withdrawn from the Grand National, which will be staged at Aintree this Saturday.

The eight-year-old, who pulled up in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, will instead race in the Scottish National at Ayr the following week.

Tony McCoy is expected to ride 7-1 favourite Shutthefrontdoor in his final Grand National before retiring.

Last week, Jonjo O'Neill confirmed that Merry King will also not race at Aintree due to a breathing problem.