Most firms have removed the Willie Mullins-trained Quel Esprit from their ante-post list for the forthcoming John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14, as rumours suggest the talented chaser is unlikely to recover from an injury sustained prior to his intended bid for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in time to take his chance in the Liverpool marathon, writes Elliot Slater.

Set to carry a hefty 11st 7lbs, the eight-year-old has proved himself a very talented horse in recent seasons and was quietly fancied in a number of quarters to run well at Cheltenham before putting in a disappointing final gallop on the eve of the blue riband event. Reports suggest that Mullins’ grey has not fully returned to his best and that his Grand National 2012 odds are receding by the day, with time running out for him to be fit and well enough for the rough and tumble of the daunting four-and-a-half-mile Merseyside showcase contest.

Only a couple of weeks ago Mullins appeared to have as many as six live candidates for ‘the world’s greatest steeplechase’, but following the bitter disappointment of seeing his ante-post favourite Prince de Beauchene suffer a training setback that has ruled him out of the race, and indeed the rest of the season, having Quel Esprit miss the contest as well will be a big blow to the champion Irish jumps trainer.

On His Own (20/1 in the Grand National betting), winner of the prestigious Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January, looks to be the best of the remaining Mullins quartet, and could still be joined at the starting tape for the big race by Apt Approach (66/1), a Grade 2 winner earlier this season, The Midnight Club (33/1), sixth to Ballabriggs in last year’s National when sent off favourite, and Quiscover Fontaine (50/1), fourth in last season’s Irish Grand National.