Aintree options open for Nacarat

Nacarat, runaway winner of the Racing Post Chase, is being prepared for next month’s big meeting at Aintree.

The French-bred grey is set to step up in class but trainer Tom George is in no hurry to decide between the totesport Bowl over three miles and one furlong on April 2 or the two and a half mile John Smith’s Melling Chase a day later .

“He’s back in full work and we’re gearing up towards Aintree,” said George.

“We’ve not completely decided. It’s likely to be ground dependent. If it’s soft we’ll probably go over two and a half miles and if it’s good ground we’ll go for the three.

“We’re keeping our options open until nearer the day.”

George has been delighted with Nacarat’s progression this season.

“He just seems to have improved,” the Stroud-based handler went on.

“We have been training him the same way, but physically he’s changed a lot, he’s a lot stronger and it’s probably just taken a while for him to come to himself.

“When Tony Dobbin rode him first time out for us at Wincanton last season he said he was very good then and thought he could be top class.

“He was only rated 118 then and it’s taken a while to get to know the horse really.”