His Song, an expensive failure in Cheltenham's Arkle Trophy, will be upped in distance for Friday's Mumm Mildmay Novice Chase at Aintree.

Mouse Morris confirmed the plan yesterday and it will be the first time that His Song, to be ridden by Shay Barry, will tackle a three-mile trip.

Irish hopes of winning the Aintree Grand National for the first time since 1975 were dealt a blow yesterday when Another Excuse was described as a very doubtful runner by trainer Eugene O'Sullivan. The horse was found to be lame behind after running at Cork during the weekend.

Aidan O'Brien declared Istabraq and Theatreworld ready for the Martell Aintree Hurdle on Saturday and Arthur Moore will run Ryhane in Friday's John Hughes Trophy over the National fences.