RACING: War Of Attrition has been ruled out of Friday's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup by trainer Mouse Morris. The 10-year-old, winner of the blue riband event in 2006, pulled out of his box slightly jarred yesterday morning.
He is now likely be geared towards a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 4th.
"War Of Attrition will not run in the Gold Cup as he was a bit jarred when we pulled him out of his box on Sunday," said the County Tipperary handler.
"We gave him a scan and that came back perfect, which was a big relief, but I'm not going to take a chance with him.
"I would say he'll be sound by Friday and he'll probably go for the National at Aintree now.
"It's disappointing to miss the Gold Cup, but the National is a good race to go for with him and we'll be happy enough if he wins that."
War Of Attrition's Cheltenham absence means there will not be a single Irish trained runner in the highlight of the National Hunt season.