THE many punters who had already selected War Of Attrition as the Grand National winner on Saturday have received a body blow with the news that the gelding has been scratched.

The 10-year-old was as low as 12-1 with one big bookie and had been the subject of a gamble for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon. However, Irish trainer Mouse Morris has decided not to run his boy because he is not totally satisfied with the gelding and he will now rely on Hear The Echo at Aintree.

"We weren't 100% happy with War Of Attrition when we checked him and have decided against sending him to Aintree," said Morris. "Hear The Echo is 110% and will be our runner in the National."

War Of Attrition was set to shoulder 11st 9lb in the big race with the Donald McCain-trained Cloudy Lane due to carry top weight of 11st 10lb. Should he win, it would be the best weight-carrying performance since Red Rum's record third success in 1977.

Red Rum, trained by McCain's father Ginger, had even won the race with 12st in 1974 when he was nine, the same age as Cloudy Lane.

He was sixth behind Comply Or Die last year when 7-1 joint favourite with the eventual winner. This time around he is a 33-1 chance this time.

"Cloudy Lane has been round there before and last year it was only his second season over fences," said McCain. "He's got more experience now - and in good races."

Elsewhere, Evan Williams believes he has State Of Play back to his best as he prepares the 2006 Hennessy winner for the National.

"The Grand National has always been my target," said Williams. "He has to be fresh and that's why he hasn't run since Christmas. "The ground makes no odds as he has form on easy ground and faster."