Bindaree handed Welsh target

Connections of Bindaree will postpone his retirement and instead head for the Welsh National in December and the Grand National next April.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was considering bringing the 11-year-old’s career to an end if he failed to run with credit in the totesport Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

And although the gelding finished well in arrears of subsequent winner Garvivonnian, he put up a decent round of jumping to take eighth place in the three-mile-three-furlong contest.

“He’s absolutely fine and Carl (Llewellyn) said he really enjoyed it around Aintree again,” said Bindaree’s owner Raymond Mould.

“He jumped brilliantly and three miles, three furlongs is probably a bit short for him these days.

“I think we’re going to press on and go for the Welsh National, the Grand National and then probably finish.”

Bindaree has won nine of his 49 starts over obstacles, with his most famous victory being his one-and-three-quarter-length success in the Grand National of 2002.

His last victory came in the Welsh National in 2003, when he had half a length to spare from Sir Rembrandt.

“What we said was as long as he’s enjoying it we’ll carry on but as soon as he’s not, he’ll retire,” added Mould.

“But he enjoyed it at Aintree on Sunday so so far, so good.”