Striker remains in National

Red Striker may still bid to try and emulate his brother Red Marauder with victory in the Martell Grand National next month.

The eight-year-old, who is being treated for a leg injury, has been left in at today`s forfeit stage for the Aintree showpiece won last year by Red Marauder.

Red Striker burst to the forefront of the National picture with victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January but has been pulled up in both his races since then.

'Nothing conclusive has been found to be honest. He`s been X-rayed and scanned and the vets couldn`t find anything in particular,' Richard Guest, jockey and assistant to Durham permit-holder Norman Mason, said today.

'He`s got a bit of a sore back leg and he`s being treated for that now. It has been flaring up and down for the past two months now.

'That`s all they can put it down to. I`m not entirely convinced, but that`s all we`ve found.

'He got struck into in the Peter Marsh and came back a bit sore. We`ve been treating it, but it`s up and down as a hind leg often is. We are treating that and trying to get it cleared up.

'As far as the National is concerned we are playing it by ear. We`ve left him in, but we`ll have to see.'

Red Ark and Nosam have also been left in the National by the Mason team, but their participation is the balance.

'Red Ark would only run on good to firm ground and Nosam probably won`t make the cut,' added Guest.