Numbersixvalverde will not bid to recapture his John Smith's Grand National crown at Aintree in April after being ruled out for the season.

The 12-year-old struck Aintree gold for trainer Martin Brassil in 2006 but has not run since finishing sixth behind Silver Birch in last year's renewal.

Brassil had hoped to get his star stayer back in time for another crack at the marathon event, but those plans have now been abandoned.

He said: "He had a slight setback in October and he's taken a long time to get over it.

"It has taken longer than expected and we wanted to have two runs before Aintree. Time is just not on our side so I didn't enter him in the race at all.

"He's out for the season and we will now just concentrate on getting him back next year."

Numbersixvalverde had been available at odds ranging from 25 to 1 to 33s for the National.