Dancer and Mohaison out of National

Exotic Dancer and Star De Mohaison have been taken out of the John Smith's Grand National at Tuesday's latest forfeit stage.

The two horses, who finished third and 13th respectively in last week's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, have alternative engagements at next month's Aintree meeting.

"It's the forfeit stage for the Grand National this morning and, having spoken with our trainers, we have decided to forfeit both Exotic Dancer and Star De Mohaison," Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, said.

"Neither will run in the Grand National."

Exotic Dancer, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, will instead go for the totesport Bowl, which he won two years ago.

That is also a possible target for Star De Mohaison, from the Paul Nicholls stable, as well as the John Smith's Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.

"Exotic Dancer will go for the Bowl and Star De Mohaison could possibly go for that race - there's a handicap there as well," Simpson explained.

"There's the Scottish National as well for Star De Mohaison, but not for Exotic Dancer.

"Our concern with Star De Mohaison was that he ran flat in the Gold Cup.

"It was disappointing, and it was a big ask for him to be saddled with maybe top weight (in the National).

"To go into the Grand National or any championship race, you have to go in on the back of something pretty strong and that performance wasn't anywhere near good enough."

As Exotic Dancer headed the handicap for the Grand National with 11st 12lb, the weights for the Aintree marathon on April 4th will rise by at least 2lb.

Exotic Dancer was a 33-1 chance for the National and Star De Mohaison 50s.