Anthony Honeyball could swerve Aintree with Champion Bumper fourth Acey Milan.
The five-year-old is eligible to run in the Grade Two Weatherbys Racing Bank Standard National Flat Race on April 13, but the Mosterton handler fears it could be one run too many and might even draw stumps for the season.
Honeyball said: "We've had a look at the small print and he does qualify to run in the race, but he's been busy and he has not missed a beat this season.
"I will talk to the owners, but I think it is unlikely he will run and it is very much on the back-burner. I imagine he won't run again this season. He has won three of his five bumpers and to finish fourth in the Champion Bumper was a good effort.
"Turning in, they just quickened up and got five lengths on him. I thought he would be sixth or seventh, but he stuck on well to be fourth."
Honeyball plans to send Acey Milan over hurdles next season and has already earmarked the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December as a first major target.
The trainer said: "He's going to school over hurdles outside when the ground settles down a bit before he is turned out. We will get the bulk of that done so he is set up for next season. He is not a slow horse and I want to try and win the Challow Hurdle with him if he carries his form forward. He's got a good engine and he travels and stays so that race will suit him well."
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