Cape Tribulation doubtful for Grand National run
Malcolm Jefferson has all but ruled out a tilt at the Crabbie's Grand National with star chaser Cape Tribulation.
Last Updated: 19/02/14 2:28pm
Winner of last season's Argento Chase before finishing a fine fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cape Tribulation disappointed on his first two starts of the new campaign in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
He ran much better to finish third when defending his crown in Wetherby's Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day, but he has been sidelined since and Jefferson does not expect his charge to run at Aintree in early April.
Jefferson said: "I spoke to his owner the other day and I'm not sure he's going to get back for anything this season.
"He's had a haematoma on his leg, it came up massive and it has taken a while for it to settle down, so it's been holding us up.
"I would have loved to get him to the National as he has a lovely weight, but you need to be 100% going there and I don't think that's going to happen unfortunately.
"I would say Aintree is out. We could have a look at the Scottish National, but we'll see where we are in a fortnight or so."