Harry Fry has ruled out a crack at the Crabbie’s Grand National with Mendip Express.

The nine-year-old is available at odds of 25-1 for the April 11 feature following his excellent second in the Becher Chase over the National fences last December.

However, the Seaborough handler, pictured, thinks the four-mile three-and-a-half furlong trip of the National is much further than Mendip Express wants to go, prompting him to target the Festival Handicap Chase at Chelten-ham instead.

Fry said: “He doesn’t stay beyond three-and-a-quarter miles, so there is no point going.

“He will run in a novices’ hurdle at Bangor on Friday and then, hopefully, the three-mile handicap chase on the opening day of the Chelten-ham Festival.”