Horse racing: Tyndarius switched from National

Tyndarius is unlikely to take up his engagement in the Martell Grand National but he could still have a part to play over the big Aintree fences in April.

Brian Ellison is eyeing a tilt at the John Hughes Memorial Chase after his easy success in the Eric and Lucy Papworth Handicap Chase at Market Rasen.

The 11-year-old was having his first run for his new trainer having been bought out of Arthur Moore’s stable in Ireland for 11,000gns, and Ellison said: ‘‘We got him in May last year and turned him out and gave him a break.

‘‘He is a first runner for his owner Alex Shaw who is from Doncaster and I told them this morning that he would win the John Hughes Memorial at Aintree so at least we will have to go for that now but he is the ideal type for it.

‘‘Although he is in the National, he has 8st 1lb (joint bottom weight) so he won’t get in anyway.’’

The Malton trainer added: ‘‘We will run him again in three weeks or so - he may go to Cheltenham - and the plan at the moment is to run Batswing in the Grand Annual, Latalomne in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Court of Appeal is in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.’’

Martin Pipe’s Reviewer staked his claim for a trip to Cheltenham with a convincing success under champion jockey Tony McCoy in the Mike Molloy Memorial Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.

Reviewer carries the colours of Flat trainer Martyn Meade, who said from his Malmesbury base: ‘‘I did not want to train jumpers so I sent the horse to Martin.

‘‘He is in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the Gerrard Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but we will see how the form of this race works out I will have to speak to Martin but it is possible he couldrds the Triumph.’’

McCoy and Pipe doubled up when Jurancon II, carrying the colours of David Johnson, won the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion.

The stewards inquired into the apparent improved form shown by the horse and referred the matter to the Stewards of the Jockey Club for further investigation.

Nicky Henderson’s Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle entry Valerio survived a scare at the second last to land the odds in the concluding European Breeders Fund ’National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle in the hands of Mick FitzGerald.