TRAINERS Howard Johnson and Paul Murphy were in the same boat yesterday with both withdrawing horses from the Grand National field, enabling their preferred entries to run in the big race.

Middleham trainer Murphy’s Mr Pointment and Crook handler Johnson’s Abbeybraney have been declared non-runners, giving Cerium and Royal Rosa their opportunities.

Nine-year-old Cerium, who is due to be ridden by Davy Russell, finished fifth in last year’s National at odds of 100-1.

‘‘He’s in seriously good form.

I’m happy with everything – the horse, the jockey and the weather. Things can go wrong, but I’m happy,’’ said Murphy.

‘‘He ran a great race last year and deserved to get in it this year.

‘‘Obviously it meant pulling out Mr Pointment, but that was always going to happen if it was the choice.

‘‘I went to the National confident with Cerium last year after he ran a good race in the Gold Cup. He ran better this year on times and was beaten ten lengths less.

‘‘Davy (Russell) rang for the ride and when you get a jockey like him ringing you, rather than the other way around, that gives you more confidence.

‘‘Davy hadn’t realised that the Gold Cup was his first run since the National last year and he ran so well.

‘‘That was the intention as he was a chronic bleeder before.

‘‘We cured that, but the only problem is if he runs every week it comes back again, so he’s treated with kid gloves.’’ He has impressive form over hurdles and chases in his younger days, and Murphy believes the horse, owned by Kent-based developer Fergus Wilson, will improve considerably for his comeback run in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup after a year-long lay-off.

“My Will was fifth in the Gold Cup and we were 11th.

He’s favourite for the National, but he’s giving us a stone in weight,” says Murphy, 34, whose illustrious father, Ferdy, trains at nearby West Witton.

“As long as she stays sound, I go there with a bit of confidence.

He’s won good races in the past and has come on a ton since the Gold Cup.

“I bought him at Doncaster last year and then Fergus Wilson, one of my owners, purchased him off me. The change of scenery appears to have done the trick; he’s an absolute gem who loves the moors.”

“When his jockey, Keith Mercer, dismounted at Cheltenham, the first thing he said was ‘Can I ride this horse in the Grand National’?” added Murphy.

Cerium will be 27-year-old Mercer’s third ride in the National after Contraband 12 months ago and Haut de Gamme the previous year.

Though he has yet to complete the course, the race is even more special to Mercer because he grew up just a few miles from Aintree’s hallowed turf.

“I’m delighted to ride Cerium,”

said Catterick-based Mercer.

“He beat a couple in the Gold Cup, which he didn’t have any right to do, and he will come up for the race.

“The National can liven up some horses and inspire them – I hope that this will be the case with this boy.”

Johnson has also substituted Royal Rosa for Abbeybraney after the latter had not eaten up overnight.

The Graham Wylie-owned 11-year-old is set to be partnered by Wilson Renwick.