Globetrotting racehorse owner Andrew Flintoff is due to jet in from Dubai in time to rush to Aintree.

The Lancashire and England all-rounder didn't think he would be making the trip last weekend when Flintoff, the horse he owns with Manchester businessman Paul Beck, was languishing at No 47 in the list of entries for Saturday's John Smith's Grand National.

There is a safety limit of 40 for the world's most famous race so it was decided to send Flintoff, a nine-year-old chaser, over to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National instead.

But enough horses were withdrawn from the race on Monday morning to guarantee a run for Flintoff, resulting in a quick change of travel plans for both him and his owner.

"Freddie is flying back on Saturday," said Beck. "We both wouldn't want to miss this for the world."

This will be Flintoff's debut at Aintree although he has run with distinction in other Nationals, the Scottish (third), Irish (sixth) and Midlands (second).

He was pulled up in the Welsh National when trained by Tim Vaughan last December, after which he was moved back to Venetia Williams' Herefordshire stables by Beck, who also switched the other two horses he owns, Stan and Atouchbetweenacara.

"I had dinner with Venetia over Christmas and decided to send the horses back to her," Beck explained.

"I realised how much I had missed the set-up here, from the staff who look after the horses, the facilities, everything. That's not to knock Tim and I wish him all the best."

Flintoff, just like his cricketing owner, has been sidelined through injury but his trainer is confident she has him back to his best.

"He always runs well when fresh so a lack of a race since December shouldn't worry him," said Williams.

She, of course, saddled Mon Mome to pull off a 100-1 shock in last year's Grand National when stable companion Stan, at 50-1 and the choice of stable jockey Aidan Coleman, was the more fancied of the pair.

This time, Mon Mome is second favourite with Betfred at 10-1 while Flintoff is trading at 50s.

Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.

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