MALCOLM JEFFERSON will not hesitate to retire stable stalwart Cape Tribulation if the horse tells him it is time – but the Norton trainer is unsure whether the 11-year-old is ready to hang up his bridle.

The veteran will be targeted at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr next month after finishing 20th in the Grade 3 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

A winner of the Pertemps Final at Prestbury Park three years ago, and a highly creditable fifth in the blue riband Gold Cup in 2013, Cape Tribulation was held up towards the rear in the early stages of the three miles and one furlong contest.

He pushed into mid-division but, ridden by Brian Hughes, was struggling by the 16th fence and was left behind as The Druids Nephew (8-1) took the spoils in the £90,000 contest.

Jefferson feels a longer trip may now be in order for the 10-time winner but also stressed he would be put out to pasture if it was the right decision.

“It happened a bit quick for him and there was a horse that made a mistake and he just screwed on landing – he knuckled a little bit – and Brian said it was just at the wrong time,” Jefferson reflected on the race.

“He has been a grand horse and we won’t abuse him. We are thinking of the Scottish National for him. Four miles might just suit him better these days.”

He added: “If he starts to tell me – and he has never told me at home – but if he started to say that he has had enough then he will be retired because he has been a great servant.

“He has got to 11 and he is still sound. He has done us proud. He is a Cheltenham winner twice, has won at Aintree and has won some nice races. He has been a lovely horse to have.”

Jefferson will saddle Attaglance in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate tomorrow (Thursday) and Firth Of The Clyde in the AP McCoy Grand Annual Chase, the final race of the Festival on Friday.

“He is in great fettle if it keeps dry,” Jefferson said of the former, who won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Festival in 2012 and was narrowly denied 12 months ago by Present View in a novice handicap.

“It will be tougher race than last year but he is fresh and he is well and in good order. He likes the course and has run well round here. He’s very fresh because it has been that soft that he hasn’t run all season. He is working well and he looks really well.

“It will be tougher. It was a novice handicap last year and this is a handicap and he is a little higher (rated) than he was. Touch wood, everything will go right for him.”

On Firth Of The Clyde, who will run over two and a half miles, he added: “He is a rather tough one because he has never won any further than two miles and two furlongs.

“Any time we have tried him over further he has been beaten and he doesn’t look as if he stays. They will go a hell of a gallop and I couldn’t be more happy with him.

“The horses weren’t just running earlier, although he ran to a certain level, but they seem to be in great order now and it’s fantastic.

“You can have half a dozen winners up north but it is different coming here to try and have a winner. I am quite happy in bringing them but it is very competitive.”