Le Beau Bai is gradually recovering from the pelvis injury which will prevent him from defending his Coral Welsh National crown.
Richard Lee's old favourite has had a difficult Christmas as he suffered the problem just a few days before the originally scheduled race at Chepstow on December 27.
Le Beau Bai is something of a specialist around the undulating Monmouthshire course, having finished third in the 2009 renewal and won there twice before his seven-length defeat of Giles Cross 12 months ago.
He had started off this season with typical vigour, taking a handicap hurdle at Ffos Las in November.
"He is as well as can be expected," said Lee, who trains in the Welsh borders.
"He has to be as immobile as he possibly can, but he has been an absolutely perfect patient, even if it's so boring for the poor guy.
"He cracked his pelvis - it's obviously different with horses to humans, but he will have to stay like this for six weeks. It's not an uncommon injury and we are hopeful he will be able to make a complete recovery."
Lee has more or less ruled out his remaining Chepstow entry, the outsider Incentivise, as a replacement.
"As much as we would love to have a runner, he won't run if the top-weight Across The Bay does," he said.
"It's pretty certain he will run at Plumpton on Sunday instead (At The Races Sussex National)."
13 May 2013
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12 May 2013
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11 May 2013
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10 May 2013
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