Murphy dealt National blow

Leading Coral Welsh National candidate Galant Nuit has been ruled out of the Chepstow marathon after suffering a cut at Cheltenham last week.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy had hoped to use Saturday’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle as a warm-up for Chepstow, but having been pulled up, he returned home with a cut and his return to fences will now be delayed.

Galant Nuit was the general 10-1 second favourite for the December 27 contest.

“He struck into himself and we had the vet have a look at him this morning,” said Murphy.

“He said he would have to go on medication for a while and unfortunately that means I’m not going to be able to have him ready in time for Chepstow.

“We could look at the Eider at Newcastle but knowing this fellow I think that might just come a bit too soon, so he could go straight to Cheltenham for the Kim Muir.

“He was third in the race last year, so that would be the plan at the moment.”