Aintree run on Philson Run's agenda

Last year’s Grand National fourth, Philson Run, is once again on target to tackle Aintree’s big fences.

Nick Williams’ veteran has only been out twice since reaching the frame at 100-1 in the great race 12 months ago, but he has shown up well both times, finishing second at Warwick and going well for a long way at Haydock before being brought down.

The 12-year-old is a real test of Williams’ skill though as he is notoriously fragile and does not take much racing.

“He’s never in great shape because he is such a fragile horse!” said Williams.

“He’s in one piece though and the National is still the plan with three weeks to go.

“He’ll run whatever the ground is. He’s actually a bit better on good ground but when it is soft it just slows the others down a bit more. If it was softer last year he may have been closer still.

“These 12-year-old’s have stamina rather than speed so for a horse like him I’d hope it would be very testing.

“He’s not guaranteed to get in though, he’s only 58 on the list and the cut will be quite high. We’ll have to see at the forfeit on Tuesday.”

Williams also admitted he made a mistake in running Maljimar at Newbury a week before the Cheltenham Festival.

“In hindsight I got it badly wrong, he is a Cheltenham horse and he should have run in the Racing Post Plate,” he added.

“That’s his season finished now and we’ll maybe have a look at the Paddy Power Gold Cup (next term).”