Findon-trained Grand National specialist Brave Highlander has paid his last visit to Aintree, Josh Gifford announced yesterday.

The 13-year-old, fourth in the race in 2000 and sixth in 1999, is none the worse for his exertions in the latest renewal at Liverpool, where he was forced to refuse at the 19th fence when one of only a handful still going.

But retirement could be imminent for the gelding, who also unseated his rider at the second Canal Turn when going well in the National in 1998.

Gifford said: "He's absolutely fine but he will not be back at Aintree next year after this bad experience. He has done us very proud there.

"He escaped most of he melee and we were getting quite hopeful when there were only seven or eight going into the second circuit as we knew he would definitely stay on. What happened was a bit disappointing but he is just one unlucky story among a lot of unlucky stories.

"I talked to his owners and we would like him to go out on a high so we might find a little race for him over Easter and then retire him. But the owner thinks he might not want to retire and go out into a field so he is thinking of the Sporting Index Cross-Country Chase.

"He might let his daughter ride him over a few poles and things and see if he takes to it."

The Jockey Club will compile a full report before making any recommendations as to what can be learnt following the National, won by Red Marauder, which had only four finishers from 40 runners.

The Club's public relations officer John Maxse said: "People are looking to the ground to explain the low number of finishers but the fact is three-quarters of the runners never even made it to the start of the second circuit."

Gifford said: "It is wonderful that they raced. It was perfectly safe and nobody was hurt.

"It wasn't slippery, it wasn't dangerous it was just very tiring ground."