Racing: Marauder on course for National repeat bid

Last season’s Martell Grand National winner Red Marauder remains on course for a repeat bid for the Aintree marathon despite a ‘‘niggling’’ problem.

‘‘He’s in great heart. The tragedy of the whole thing is that he’s so well and we’ve got this niggling problem with his tendon,’’ owner/trainer Norman Mason said.

‘‘The last few days his tendons have been ice cold and we are delighted. He’s cantering and coming along well.’’

Mason had been considering a tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with his stable star but he said: ‘‘We were thinking about the Cheltenham Gold Cup but I think that was a bit too ambitious.

‘‘I don’t think we were going to get the work into him that’s needed.’’

Red Marauder won the Grand National when the going was extremely testing and Mason is hoping for plenty of give again in this year’s renewal.

‘‘We’ve put him in the National again and provided the ground is right for him again he’s in with a big chance,’’ he added.