Vicente, owned by Isle of Man businessman Trevor Hemmings, has been pulled out of the Grand National because of 5mm of rain falling at Aintree by lunchtime.

It has turned the ground on the Grand National course to heavy, soft in places. Second reserve Delusionofgrandeur, trained by Sue Smith, takes his place.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Vicente, told the Racing Post: ’Vicente will go to Ayr [for the Scottish Grand National]. It is pointless going out in the National when things are against you. I would have been very concerned with his jumping off that ground.

’One thing he does do at Ayr on better ground is jump well so I am hoping the forecast is right and from Tuesday onwards it will dry up right to the day and we can go there with a chance.’

Vicente has won Scotland’s version of the Grand National two years running.

This means Trevor Hemmings has one other confirmed runner in the famous Aintree race, Warriors Tale, also trained by Paul Nicholls.

Jonjo O’Neill’s top weight entry Minella Rocco has also been pulled out of the race with another reserve Thunder and Roses taking his place.Trevor Hemmings, who lives in the north of the island, has won the marathon race three times with Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds.