Walsh not rushing Papillon decision

Trainer Ted Walsh will leave it until later in the week before making a decision on Papillon’s participation in the Martell Cognac Grand National.

The 12-year-old, winner of the Aintree showpiece in 2000, finished 12th of 14 runners in the Punchestown Event Centre Hurdle at Punchestown today.

Walsh said: “We‘ll make a decision about Aintree later in the week but we had no joy with him today.”

The two-and-a-half mile race was won by Jeff De Chalamont, who was topping off a memorable week for trainer Jessica Harrington, trainer of Wednesday‘s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer.

Monty’s Pass remains a possible Aintree contender despite finishing last of four runners in the Locks Restaurant Novice Hurdle.

Jockey Paul Carberry said: “He needed the run and will come on for it.”

Willie Mullins has confirmed his stable star Florida Pearl will not run in the National.

But the 11-year-old, who finished eighth behind Moscow Flyer at the Festival, may still be aimed at the meeting as he won the Martell Cup Chase there last season.

Mullins confirmed: “He may travel to Aintree but not for the Grand National. He came back fine from Cheltenham and we‘ll look at the other options at Liverpool.”