Ad Hoc career in the balance

Connections of Ad Hoc are mulling over the gelding’s future after he suffered minor ligament damage during last week’s John Smith’s Grand National.

The 11-year-old fell at the 22nd fence in the Aintree marathon and he now needs surgery on the problem if he is to race again.

Owner Sir Robert Ogden is considering all the options though, but Ad Hoc could have run his last race.

“We are in the process of making a final decision. He has some minor ligament damage that will require surgery if he is to race again,” said Ogden’s racing manager Barry Simpson.

“Obviously, we have to take his age into account. If he were a seven or eight-year-old we would have no hesitation but he is 11 years old.

“The horse is fine in himself but I haven’t had a proper chance to discuss him with Sir Robert yet.”

Ad Hoc was last in the winners’ enclosure in 2003 when he took a second attheraces Gold Cup, a race now known as the Betfred Gold Cup.