Peter Beaumont has discarded two cards from his enviable Martell Grand National hand, it emerged today.
The North Yorkshire trainer has withdrawn Bobby Grant and Island Chief from the Aintree showpiece, for which he still has favourite Young Kenny and Niki Dee engaged.
A total of 85 acceptors after the first forfeit stage were unveiled today, with 57 in the handicap proper.
Young Kenny remains at the head of the handicap on 12st, 2lb clear of dual National runner-up Suny Bay who could be back in action in the next fortnight.
The grey has raced just once this season, when pulled up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, and there has been speculation that he could be retired.
But trainer Simon Sherwood said: "Suny Bay has been out hunting and if he has a prep race it will be over hurdles within the next two weeks.
"If he does not have a prep race we will make a decision whether or not to run in this year's Martell Grand National closer to the race."
Others withdrawn at Tuesday's forfeit stage included the injured pair Courlis Pontet and Him Of Praise plus Mary Reveley's Random Harvest.
The going at Aintree is reported on the soft side, six weeks ahead of the April 8 spectacular.
Clerk of the course Ian Renton said: "The track is in lovely condition and the current going would be good to soft.
"The grass is beginning to grow and the famous fences are ready to be dressed with spruce at the end of March."
