Evan Williams turns to James Bowen for Grand National ride on Secret Reprieve

Evan Williams has revealed James Bowen will take the ride on his Randox Grand National hopeful Secret Reprieve after regular jockey Adam Wedge was ruled out through injury.

Wedge missed the Cheltenham Festival after sustaining a fracture to his T12 vertebrae when falling from Hoi Polloi at Newbury on March 11, and the injury has not healed sufficiently for him to take the ride on the Welsh National winner next Saturday at Aintree.

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Secret Reprieve is as short as 10-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the National, but despite the blow of losing his number one jockey, Williams is pleased to call upon the services of Bowen, who rode Secret Reprieve to victory in Chepstow's Welsh National Trial in early December.

The 20-year-old famously became the youngest jockey to win the Welsh National when guiding Raz De Maree to victory in 2018 at the age of 16, and has ridden Shantou Flyer and Outlander in the last two Grand Nationals.

Secret Reprive: Welsh National winner is as short as 10-1 in places for the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Williams said: "James has won on him before and has been riding bits and bobs for me since Adam's been off so it just made sense to have someone who has ridden him before.

"I like to stick by the lads that are good to me when my main boys are off and thankfully he was available and happy to ride the horse."

Wedge is expected to miss at least a few more weeks of action, with the jockey tweeting on Thursday evening: "Gutted to say I will be missing Aintree this year. Unfortunately my specialist couldn't give me the news I wanted. All healing well but have been advised to take a few more weeks. I want to wish everyone the best of luck!"

Williams also outlined plans for Christmas Hurdle winner Silver Streak, who has the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr or a trip to Punchestown at the end of the month on the cards.

The dashing grey was last seen finishing sixth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Williams said: "We'll enter him in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and keep Punchestown in mind too. I wouldn't be against Scotland but I very much doubt he'll go to Aintree, two and a half miles would be too much for him."

On Aintree plans, Williams said: "We might have one or two for the handicaps at Aintree but we wouldn't have too much else."

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Another Papillon? Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now primed for Grand National bid

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