Racing: Montreal comes off bench for Pond House team

Martin Pipe withdrew four Grand National entries at the final declaration stage yesterday but will still field seven of the 40 runners after his Montreal sneaked in as the first reserve.

Jurancon II leads the Pond House team and is also likely to head the betting when the runners line up at 3.45pm tomorrow, having been confirmed as the mount of Tony McCoy.

There were more withdrawals than expected yesterday, 15 in all, including Whereareyounow and Hermes II, both of whom run over one lap of the course in today's Topham Chase. That allowed a run for several contenders from out of the weights, including Nick Gifford's Skycab and Silver Streak. However, the latter then suffered bleeding at exercise and was withdrawn, bringing Montreal into the race.

Grand National (Aintree, tomorrow) William Hill: 9-1 Jurancon II, 10-1 Clan Royal, Hedgehunter, 11-1 Bindaree, 12-1 Joss Naylor, 14-1 Amberleigh House, Bear On Board, Davids Lad, 16-1 Shardam, 22-1 others.

Coral: 10-1 Hedgehunter, Clan Royal, Jurancon II, 12-1 Amberleigh House, Bindaree, Davids Lad, Joss Naylor, 14-1 Bear On Board, 16-1 Shardam, 22-1 Monty's Pass, 25-1 others.

Totesport: 9-1 Jurancon II, 10-1 Clan Royal, Hedgehunter, 12-1 Bindaree, Davids Lad, Joss Naylor, 14-1 Bear On Board, 16-1 Amberleigh House, Shardam, 22-1 others.