Veteran Andrew Nicholson was philosophical about his two poor cross-country runs on Saturday, with both Armada and Silbury Hill retired from the event.
"For Armada the sheer size of the crowd got to him, he just felt like he was excited to be out there, he was jumping too big and brave to start.
"That's where you need the older horses to just jump economically because then it's easier to turn. He will be a big chance at Burghley (in September)".
Silbury Hill pulled up in the cross-country with an injured tendon.
"He will have a couple of years off. It's one of those things, they get injuries, it's part of it.
"It's a shame because he felt he was starting to get the hang of the whole job.
"He was another one I wanted to prepare for Burghley."
