National field cut down by 13

Another 13 horses have been cut from the field for next month’s Grand National at Aintree, including Ajas and Easysland.

Easysland was beaten comfortably by Tiger Roll in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham recently and will now miss the Aintree showpiece. Trainer David Cottin felt his 11st 10lb allocation was “unjust” and the seven-year-old will sit our the National.

His stablemate Ajas is another who won’t run on April 10 after being officially taken out of the race, which comes after handicapper Martin Greenwood admitted it was difficult to assess him when the weights were revealed in February.

The Willie Mullins duo Agusta Gold – who won at Fairyhouse in January – and Saturnas have also been scratched, along with Death Duty from the Gigginstown stud and the Paul Nolan-trained Fitzhenry.

Bristol De Mai and Santini, both off a mark 167, are at the top of the weights for the National, while Welsh Grand National winner Secret Reprieve also remains in the field at the moment.