Sue Smith is considering Haydock's Peter Marsh Handicap Chase as Vintage Clouds' next target en route to a potential tilt at the Randox Health Grand National.
The nine-year-old could bid to bounce back to form in the Grade Three contest on January 19 after being pulled up in last month's Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, having previously made a winning return at Haydock.
Smith said: "Vintage Clouds is fine. Danny Cook said he was not happy on the ground at Chepstow. He goes through wet ground, but he doesn't enjoy holding ground. I really do think he does enjoy being on better ground, though. He might have an entry in the Peter Marsh at Haydock later this month, but the ground is key to him."
Aintree is the big target for the grey, after he failed to make the final cut 12 months ago.
Smith added: "He will have an entry in the Grand National. He just missed out on getting in last year, and I do think he is definitely that type of horse. Hopefully we will have better luck this year - off 146, he should get in. It would be lovely to have the horse run a very big race for Mr (Trevor) Hemmings in the National."
Vintage Clouds is a 40/1 chance for the Randox Health Grand National with Sky Bet.
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