Arizona Cardinal ruled out of Grand Sefton reckoning

Arizona Cardinal will miss a planned return to Aintree for Saturday’s Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase due to a dirty scope.

The eight-year-old won his final three starts of last season for trainer Stuart Edmunds, completing his hat-trick with victory over the Grand National fences in April’s Topham Chase.

He was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month, but connections had been expecting an improved performance back over the famous Aintree obstacles.

Edmunds announced on Wednesday: “We were looking forward to sending Arizona Cardinal back to Aintree over the Grand National fences, but unfortunately he will not be going now as he scoped dirty when he came back in from his work this morning.

“We are all gutted, but it is just one of those things and the welfare of the horse has to come first.

“We will now regroup and aim him at the Becher Chase next month and hopefully he will be fine for that.”