Paul Nicholls has failed in a race against time to get Clan Des Obeaux prepared for Aintree
Prior to a planned return to action at the Grand National meeting, where he was scheduled to defend his Aintree Bowl title, the dual King George VI Chase champion had been making good progress from a suspensory injury.
The 11-year-old, who is owned by Paul Barber, Ged Mason, and Alex Ferguson, finished second to Allaho in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April.
