Coral Welsh National runner-up Giles Cross has the Eider Chase at Newcastle as his next stamina-sapping assignment.
Victor Dartnall's 10-year-old ran second in Chepstow's festive showpiece for the second successive year on his latest appearance, this time chasing home Le Beau Bai. He filled the same position in the Eider Chase a year ago, and Dartnall is hoping for testing conditions once again on February 25 to bring out the best in his charge.
"He's in very good form and while we'll look at the Grand National Trial at Haydock, it's more likely he'll wait for the Eider Chase," said Dartnall.
"He was second in that last year and hopefully he'll get his ground at Newcastle."
Looking further ahead, Giles Cross does hold an entry in the Grand National itself at Aintree in April, but Dartnall insists his participation will be ground dependant.
"The Grand National would be a possible if it's soft enough, so we'll see," he added.
