Brassil thrilled with Numbersix

Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde has returned home none the worse for his pleasing reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

Martin Brassil’s 10-year-old finished fourth behind impressive winner Dosco, but travelled well for much of the race and ran as well as could have been expected on his first start since his Aintree heroics.

Brassil was thrilled with the performance and is even considering a tilt at the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on February 10.

“It was a lovely run, we were delighted with him and it was as good as having a winner,” he said.

“I was thrilled with him, it was just what he needed. He had a decent blow after it but it was his first run for eight months on heavy ground so he was entitled to be a bit tired. You’d have to be happy with that.

“I’ll probably enter him for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and I’ll probably run him in another chase and possibly a hurdle before returning to Aintree.”

Numbersixvalverde remains a 14-1 chance for the world’s greatest steeplechase.