The big Aintree fences defeated all three Sussex horses to attempt them this year as Brave Highlander, Finnow Thyne and Montroe failed to complete their races.

Connections of each one are able to look back on a hard luck story, most notably the 19th fence drama that knocked Grand National stalwart Brave Highlander out of the race.

The 13-year-old had successfully avoided the melee at the Canal Turn that took out 12 of the 40-strong field and was one of just seven left in the race.

However, he was left with nowhere to go at the 19th as a loose horse ran across the fence blocking his path.

Brave Highlander, who had been going well until that point, was stopped dead in his tracks, unshipping jockey Philip Hide. The same fate awaited Tony McCoy on Blowing Wind and Ruby Walsh on Papillon, both of whom remounted to finish the race in third and fourth.

But, following three previous attempts including a fourth place last year, it was the end of the Grand National road for Brave Highlander.

After the race his Findon trainer Josh Gifford reported that the horse would not go back to Aintree next year, although he may not be retired just yet.

Gifford's son Nick saddled Finnow Thyne in the Fox Hunters' Chase and all was looking good until the tenth fence, the notorious Becher's Brook.

The 11-year-old was in mid-division and making a forward move when he was brought down as three horses fell.

Finnow Thyne may have come to grief at one of Aintree's biggest fences but it was the smallest on the course, the famous Foinavon fence, that claimed Montroe.

Storrington trainer Richard Rowe's grey was bowling along at the head of the field for the John Hughes Trophy when he failed to come up for jockey Barry Fenton.

He had been with the leaders throughout the race and, although he fell a long way out, the nine-year-old was running a big race.

Josh Gifford could be on the National trail again next Saturday with Glitter Isle and Lordberniebouffant entered in the Scottish version at Ayr. Both have chances.

The 11-year-old grey Glitter Isle has come back to top form, winning his last two races, while Lordberniebouffant won the Sussex National at Fontwell this season beating Smarty, who went on to finish second in last Saturday's Grand National.