Racing: Scottish option for Malta

Cyfor Malta could be the surprise package in the Scottish National on April 20, a race in which champion trainer Martin Pipe has 12 possibles.

The Nicholas-Hayne handler last won the Scottish National in 1993 with Run for Free, and as well as Cyfor Malta entries this time include leading Grand National hope Blowing Wind and Stayers’ Hurdle flop Deano’s Beeno, who has not been over fences since his novice days.

David Johnson owns Cyfor Malta, who was felt to be below par when eighth behind Best Mate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Johnson said: ‘‘Cyfor Malta was staying on at Cheltenham and he has come out of the race very well.

‘‘I’m not sure he ran to his best in the Gold Cup, but he is lightly raced so we are now looking to the future with him.

‘‘The Martell Cup and the Scottish National are the most likely options, and we’ll just have to see whether he could run in both, or one or the other.’’

Lady Cricket may well take her chance in the Melling Chase, although she came back lame after finishing second to Blowing Wind in the Mildmay of Flete.

Johnson, bidding to be crowned champion owner for a second time, continued: ‘‘Lady Cricket was lame after the Mildmay and she missed a week’s work. But, hopefully, she will be all right for Aintree.

‘‘I’m expecting to have quite a big team out, with It Takes Time going for the Martell Aintree Hurdle after his third in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

‘‘Of my other horses who seemed to run below their best at Cheltenham, Golden Alpha, Londoner and Stormez may well run, while Montreal will be in a handicap.’’