Vics Canvas (centre) ahead of eventual winner Rule The World in 2016 Grand National© Photo Healy Racing
Vics Canvas is recovering from a setback - but he is still on course to try to become the oldest winner of the Randox Health Grand National since 1853.
The 14-year-old, trained by Dermot McLoughlin, was a brilliant third in the race last year at odds of 100-1.
But this season he will have to head straight to Aintree in April without a run under his belt.
McLoughlin told the Guardian: "You'll see him in the National, but he won't get a run before then,
"He got a little knock on his joint, there was a little bit of a crack there.
"We only found out about it a week before he was going to run. He seems fine now and he's back on the go again.
"He still has the same enthusiasm about the game and he's lightly raced. He's in good nick and hopefully he stays right until then."
