Deposed Martell Grand National favourite Young Kenny remained on course for Aintree today, despite a heavy defeat at Haydock Park.
Peter Beaumont is convinced that unsuitable ground conditions were to blame for his stable-star's poor fourth in Saturday's De Vere Gold Cup, after which the gelding's National odds were pushed out from 10-1 to 16-1 by Ladbrokes.
But he admitted a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup was "unlikely" for the nine-year-old, who started 7-4 favourite at Haydock but trailed in a remote fourth of five finishers - with stable-companion Niki Dee second.
"Young Kenny seems fine this morning," the trainer said.
"The ground dried out an awful lot at Haydock and it wasn't at all what he wanted - if it had suited him Niki Dee wouldn't have finished second.
"We'll see how we go and he might go to Uttoxeter or straight to Aintree but it depends on the ground.
"He might go for the Gold Cup if it was very, very wet but that is unlikely."
Niki Dee is a more probable visitor to the National Hunt Festival.
"He will hopefully got for the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham - the race Island Chief was second in last year."
