Saint poised to make quick comeback in Becher Chase at Aintree
Early Hennessy Gold Cup faller Saint Are could make a quick bid for compensation by lining up at Aintree on Saturday.
Last Updated: 04/12/12 6:00pm
The Tim Vaughan-trained six-year-old has a tremendous record at Aintree and is among 23 entries for the three-and-a-quarter mile contest over the famous Grand National fences.
The 14-1 chance with Sky Bet won the Grade One Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National Meeting in April 2011, and followed up at the same fixture last season in the Listed John Smith's Handicap Chase, both over three miles and a furlong of the Mildmay Course.
"Saint Are has come out of the Hennessy absolutely fine," said Vaughan. "We are going to school him on Wednesday morning and Thursday morning to see how he jumps and, if that goes well, we will definitely give the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase serious consideration.
"It was very frustrating on Saturday because everything had gone really well in the build up to the Hennessy and we were anticipating a big run from him. It was a soft fall as he just nudged the top of the fence but couldn't get his legs out.
"He jumped brilliantly at Aintree last season and after that Dougie (Costello) said we should look at the Grand National with him because he will jump around there all day long. Dougie was bemused why he fell on Saturday as he said he is normally so nimble and careful but it's just one of those things.
"We might need to give him a couple more runs for experience before we look at a race like the Grand National but it's one day at a time and we are grateful he has come back in one piece."