Trainer Gordon Elliott says that the best days of Tiger Roll may lie in the past.
The two-time Grand National winner was pulled up in Friday's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham.
Jockey Robbie Power said after the race, "He was never travelling and never had a cut at his fences.
"I pulled him up as he was in no sort of rhythm."
Friday's disappointing showing followed Tiger Roll placing sixth out of nine horses on his seasonal return at Navan in October.
"It was disappointing. He never really travelled or jumped," Elliott said after the Cross Country showing.
"He's not getting any younger. Maybe his better days are behind him.
"We'll see how he is, but on his last two runs he doesn't look like the horse he was last year. We'll see how he is. There's no excuse, maybe he's just getting older."
The winner of the 2018 and 2019 Grand Nationals will be 11 by the time the 2021 Aintree showpiece rolls around.
There are major doubts over whether Tiger Roll will be put forward for a hat-trick attempt in April.
Elliott said, "It's not ideal but there's no point making excuses.
"He was beaten after two fences.
"I spoke to Robert and he said he never travelled. We'll get him home and see how he is. If he never does another thing he owes us nothing."
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