Aspell ruled out of Aintree trip

Leighton Aspell will miss the chance to target a third Grand National win after being ruled out of this year’s race with a neck injury.

The 41-year-old Irish jockey, who was successful at Aintree with Pineau De Re in 2014 and Many Clouds the following year, suffered the injury after a fall from the Oliver Sherwood-trained Jurby in a novices’ hurdle at Hereford last week.

Aspell is now facing a six-week lay-off and will not be involved in the world’s greatest steeplechase on April 14.

“He’s going to be out for about six weeks. He’s got to be in a neck brace for six weeks,” said Sherwood.

“There’s nothing displaced. He’s not in any pain, there’s no operation, it’s just time.”