L’Homme Presse will not run in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Venetia Williams’ star chaser had to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup following a small setback and connections have now conceded defeat in the race to get ready for the National on Saturday week.

Andy Edwards, who owns the 10-year-old alongside Pam Sharman, Ray Sharman and Peter and Patricia Pink, told the PA news agency: “Sadly L’Homme Presse will not run in the Grand National. He is sound and fine, but we just ran out of time. We are bitterly disappointed not to be running next weekend”

L’Homme Presse has long been one of Britain’s leading staying chasers and finished fourth in last year’s Gold Cup before taking third in the King George VI Chase on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He marched on to win the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials day in January, but was last seen pulling up early in the Ascot Chase last month.