Friday 30 January 2015 11:41, UK
Monbeg Dude could have two more runs as he continues his preparations for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on April 11.
The 10-year-old finished seventh in the race last year and a return to Liverpool for another crack at the four-mile-three-and-a-half-furlong contest has long been on the agenda for trainer Michael Scudamore.
Monbeg Dude was second in a three-mile handicap chase at Chepstow on his reappearance in October and then stayed on to be fourth to Many Clouds in the Hennessy Gold Cup over three and a quarter miles at Newbury in November.
Last seen when fourth in the Welsh National last month, the son of Witness Box, who is owned by former rugby players Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel, Nicky Robinson and Scudamore, now has the option of a run at Haydock next month.
Scudamore said: "Monbeg Dude is in really good form and it is all systems go for Aintree.
"I have been delighted with him so far this season. He has just bumped into a couple of better horses on the day. He carried a lot of weight in the Welsh National, which probably didn't help him, but he still ran his race.
"We have got nothing set in stone for him between now and Aintree. He has an entry in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (February 14), so we will have to see about that, and then I suppose we would like to get another run into him about four weeks before the National."
