Thursday 29 January 2015 10:49, UK
Michael Hourigan is unlikely to be represented by The Crafty Butcher or The Job Is Right in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on February 14.
The Crafty Butcher ran a good race to finish fourth in the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase, while The Job Is Right would have been second in the Thyestes last week, but for unseating his rider at the last.
Hourigan feels the prospect of testing ground would not suit either horse.
The County Limerick handler said: "The Crafty Butcher ran a grand race in the Woodlands Park.
"He finished behind some very nice horses and if there'd been another bend to run around he might have finished second.
"I thought the handicapper might have had us on a lower mark over there but it's just about the same.
"The Butcher might run in a Pertemps qualifier back over hurdles at Punchestown this weekend.
"The Job Is Right will just wait a bit, he would have been second to a very nice horse (Djakadam) in the Thyestes.
"I put them both in to see what mark they'd get, really.
"His aim will either be the four-miler at Cheltenham or the Irish National, one of those.
"Neither of them want it heavy, anyway."
