Coral Welsh National winner Edmond is set to sidestep the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham next Tuesday due to the drying ground.
Henry Daly's dour stayer will be re-routed to Uttoxeter tomorrow week for the Marstons Pedigree Midlands Grand National unless there is significant rain at Cheltenham.
Daly said: "The ground at Cheltenham is drying out by the minute and there's no point in running a horse like Edmond there unless there is a lot of rain and the forecast states that is unlikely.
"Although it is likely to be faster than ideal for him at Uttoxeter the race is over four miles plus and that will suit him better than three miles around Cheltenham," added the Ludlow trainer.
However, Daly will still be represented in the William Hill by Star Traveller. He is coming back from a winter break having made his last racecourse appearance at Cheltenham on New Year's Eve when second to Strong Tel.
Daly is also not happy about the drying conditions for his Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle hope Behrajan but said: "We will make a decision about his participation when we see the track on Tuesday but having said that there are no other races for him so he'll probably run."
