State Of Play in frame for Grand National

Evan Williams is leaning towards a tilt at the John Smith’s Grand National for stable stalwart State Of Play.

The 2006 Hennessy Gold Cup winner has enjoyed another solid season so far, winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby before returning to West Yorkshire to finish fourth in the Rowland Meyrick on St Stephen's Day.

Williams has purposely given the nine-year-old a mid-season break since then.

And while he is weighing up a number of options, a tilt at the Aintree spectacular is under serious consideration.

“He is in the Grand National this year and we will be keeping an eye on that as it could just be the ideal place to go now,” said the Vale of Glamorgan trainer.

“I can’t see any point in going anywhere near Cheltenham and if the National came right, we’d get in there off 10 stone.

“I think he’s had a great little season so far but it was always my intention not to make the same mistake as last year in running him too often.

“I’ll look at the Scottish National and the Whitbread (bet365 Gold Cup) at Sandown.

“But while I have not cleared it with the owners, I just think Aintree could be the race that really suits him.”