Racing:Willie Mullins' Prince De Beauchene has been ruled out of next month's 2012 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree. The Graham Wylie-owned chaser had been at the top of the ante-post market but will miss the Liverpool showpiece due to injury
Mullins told his website www.wpmullins.com: "Prince De Beauchene disappointed in a routine workout during the week and a subsequent veterinary examination has revealed that he has a stress fracture in his ilium.
"Consequently he will not run in the Grand National."
Owner Graham Wylie added: "He went to Fairyhouse a few days ago and Ruby (Walsh) rode him, but he wasn't happy afterwards.
"So Willie got him scanned and it showed that he had a hairline fracture to his hip, so he is going to need 12 weeks box rest and unfortunately, that means he's going to have to miss Aintree. It's disappointing, but that's horses for you. It's better we've discovered it now than during the race.
"We'll give him a bit of time and hopefully he'll be back next season."
Mullins still has several horses entered in the four mile four furlong event, including On His Own, Quel Esprit and The Midnight Club.