Findlay sells Big Fella before Grand National

Grand National hope Big Fella Thanks has been surprisingly sold just three weeks before the big race. 

His now former owner Harry Findlay has decided that he wants out of racing, and has opted to start the ball rolling by selling Big Fella Thanks who is strongly fancied for the Aintree Grand National. Findlay has had a very difficult year, the professional gambler was warned off by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for laying his own horse Gullible Gordon on two occasions. The disqualification was revoked on appeal, but Findlay was still upset by the way he had been treated by the BHA. 

This disqualification led to a fallout with trainer Paul Nicholls, and as a result saw all the horses had in training with the Champion trainer either removed or their ownership was switched to his partner Paul Barber. 

Part of the deal to sell Big Fella Thanks involved the horse staying in the care of current trainer Ferdy Murphy and his new owners the Crossed Fingers Partnership are existing owners in the yard. 

The good news for punters who have backed Big Fella Thanks with a Grand National free bet  is that the horse will still be targeted at the Aintree marathon and his connections believe he has a great chance of taking the four-and-a-half-mile handicap chase.

Given the fact very little, other than the name of his owner has changed, it's hard to see how this surprise move could have impacted on the horse.