Mangan on Aintree trail

Jimmy Mangan is likely to go on a fact-finding mission to Aintree on Sunday with Himalayan Trail.

The Co Cork trainer famously bagged Grand National glory in 2003 with Monty’s Pass, and a good run in the totesport.com Becher Chase could see his recent recruit returning for more glory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The three-and-a-quarter-mile contest takes place over the National course and Mangan sees the Midlands National winner as the type to take to the daunting obstacles.

That Uttoxeter win came when he was in the care of Sue Smith, and he passed through the ring at Doncaster Sales in May when he sold for £130,000 (€154,000).

The nine-year-old made his seasonal debut for new owner Mark Gittins under top-weight in the Cork National on November 2, pleasing connections despite pulling up with two fences still to jump.

Mangan said: “He has the alternative of going to Navan for the Troytown Chase, but at the moment the plan is Liverpool.

“He’s had a good summer. His owner has a farm just down the road so he spent the summer there and came back in pretty good shape.

“The horse ran in the Cork National with a huge weight, which was a big ask of him, but Davy Russell was very pleased with him. When he emptied out, Davy eased off and pulled him up. He needed the run but he also had to give two stone and more to some horses, including the winner, and that was an impossible task first time out.

“He ran a cracker to win the Midlands National for Sue Smith but he was only carrying 9st 9lb that day and he beat Badgerlaw who hasn’t set the world on fire yet.

“The whole idea behind purchasing him was to go for the Grand National. I think it’s vital to give them a little trip over the course and I think the Becher Chase is the ideal opportunity. He’s improved mentally since Cork so I’m hoping for a very big run out of him.”