Sandy Thomson hopes all roads now lead to Aintree and the Randox Health Grand National for Seeyouatmidnight after he finished third on his first start over fences in 490 days in the Doom Bar Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Having missed several engagements in recent weeks due to the bad weather, the Sandy Thomson-trained 10-year-old made an encouraging reappearance after a suspensory problem in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.
After racing close to the pace, the Grade Two winner - who needed a run over fences this season to ensure his eligibility for Aintree - was only passed by eventual winner Tiquer and runner-up Kayf Adventure late on, before rallying close to the line to take third ahead of Dusky Lark.
Thomson said: "I was delighted with that. If you look at all my horses, they come on for a run. The way the weather has been, it has been a nightmare. He hasn't jumped a fence since the Betfair (Chase, at Haydock in November 2016).
"He has jumped in the school over little hurdles, but he has not jumped a fence. Danny (Cook) was delighted and he thought he was going to win, but race fitness has just caught up with him and it is tiring old ground out there. I don't see why it isn't all systems go for Aintree. We will get him home and see how he is."
He added of his stable star, who is 25/1 (non-runner/no bet) with Sky Bet for world's greatest steeplechase on April 14: "I've always believed he has got a big one in him. He is quite fragile, but I think we are hopefully at this late stage better at keeping him in one piece."
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