Nicky Richards' Martell Grand National hope The Grey Monk has been forced to miss an intended prep race at Haydock Park tomorrow because of a slight setback.
Richards said today: "Unfortunately he has bruised his off-fore foot and won't be able to run in the Long Distance Hurdle.
"There is no other race over hurdles for him now so I think we will take him to Newbury on February 12th for that new race, the Aon Insurance Chase - they say there will be only four or five runners."
The Greystoke trainer added: "The plan is then to come back here (Kelso) early in March but it would need to be soft ground for him - then hopefully it will be Aintree."
