Irish challenger Spring Heeled is almost certainly likely to miss the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week, said trainer Jim Culloty.
The nine-year-old unseated his rider in a race at the Cheltenham Festival and did not return to his homeland in the best possible shape.
Winner of the Kim Muir at the Festival two years ago, Culloty told the Daily Mail that Spring Heeled was "99 per cent certain not to run" on Merseyside.
"He came back from Cheltenham pretty sore," added the County Cork handler.
Jeremiah McGrath will have his first National ride when he gets the leg-up on former Hennessy winner Triolo D'Alene, who also struck over the Aintree fences in the Topham Chase in 2013.
Nico de Boinville will partner the Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Hadrian's Approach.
Henderson, who has never won the National, told the Telegraph: "Both horses schooled over the Aintree fences in Lambourn and it all seemed to go well.
"They will both go for the National and Cocktails At Dawn is going for the Topham.
"Hopefully we'll get decent ground."
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