According to a report on Sky Sports, trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed that Footpad will not participate at Aintree.
The six-year-old was expected to race in the Big Buck’s Celebration Manifesto Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles on Thursday but he has been withdrawn by Mullins after scoping unsatisfactorily.
Footpad won the Ankle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival last month and was tipped to be equally successful at Aintree this month.
Mullins said:
I’m just saying he’s out of Aintree and he had a bad scope.
I’m saying nothing else.
Mullins is obviously hugely disappointed that Footpad can’t participate but is hoping that he will be back for the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown at the end of this month.
The Grand National gets underway on Thursday at Aintree in Merseyside, with the main event taking place on Saturday.
