Roman Ark taking road to Aintree

Malcom Jefferson’s Roman Ark is set to bid for glory in the John Smith’s Topham Chase at Aintree.

The bold-jumping grey did have an entry in the Grand National itself but Jefferson thought it would stretch the 10-year-old’s stamina too much.

“We are aiming Roman Ark at the Topham Chase at Aintree. He was entered in the Grand National but we took him out because we thought the race might be too far for him,” said Jefferson.

“If the ground is not too fast, which I don’t think it will be, then he will definitely take his chance.

“He likes soft ground and we missed Cheltenham because we thought the going there would be too fast.

“We’ve gone to the Festival three times before and the ground was good. It was sod’s law that the one we missed proved to be soft!”

“As long as it’s good jumping ground then he will certainly line up at Aintree and the extended two-mile-five-furlong trip should be perfect.

“He’s run twice there before, having unseated and then been pulled up, but I’ve got few worries about the Grand National fences.

“We haven’t been hard on him this year and we’ve always looked after him. He’s always been an honest horse and we’ve always let him take his chance and run on his merits.”

Roman Ark is among 87 entries for the Topham on April 4, a race in which champion trainer Paul Nicholls has six horses engaged.

Racing Post Chase winner Gungadu heads the brigade, while Natal, Gwanako, Andreas, Arturio and Le Volfoni complete the list of Nicholls-trained possibles.

Michael Hourigan’s pair of Hi Cloy and A New Story are among 20 Irish-trained entries.