02.04.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

Elsworth loses Darkness ride to Hutchinson in John Smith's Grand National

Dominic Elsworth has lost the ride on fancied John Smith’s Grand National contender Darkness.

Wayne Hutchinson will now ride the ten-year-old, who is trained by Charles Egerton and owned by Lady Lloyd-Webber.

Elsworth, who has not ridden in races since suffering a badly-bruised shoulder at Towcester a week ago today, said this morning: "I’m not riding Darkness. I took a phone call last night from Charles Egerton who said I couldn’t ride the horse.

"He said they didn’t know whether I would make it back or not. I’m gutted because I turned down two other rides in the race."

Elsworth, 29, who had been expecting to ride in his seventh John Smith’s Grand National, said: "I’m fit, and I’m booked to ride for [trainer] Lucy Wadham at Aintree tomorrow."

The jockey’s misfortunes began when taking a fall from Dance Island in a handicap hurdle. A scan revealed nothing was broken, but he has to pass the doctor before returning to the saddle tomorrow.