Peter Marsh next for 'fresh' Maktu

Maktu is set to bid for redemption in the Peter Marsh Chase following his defeat as favourite in the Coral Welsh National.

Pat Murphy’s nine-year-old was sent off the 9-2 market leader for the Chepstow marathon but after racing keenly early on, he faded out of the finish to be fifth.

Murphy is now eyeing a swift return for his lightly-raced inmate, and Haydock on January 22 is now on the agenda.

“He’s come out of yesterday’s race in good form and although I’ve still to speak to the owners, I think we will enter him for the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock,” said Murphy.

“He was just a bit too fresh and well yesterday and that was the problem with having just one run before as he missed a race at Chepstow on December 4 and I really needed it for him.

“In the short term, we will look at the Peter Marsh for him and then probably enter him for the totesport.com National Trial at Haydock next month (February 19).”

Despite Maktu featuring among the leading stayers this term, Murphy has no plans to head to Aintree this year, although a crack at the John Smith’s Grand National is on the cards for 2012.

He added: “The long-term plan would be to go back for the Welsh National again in December but Aintree isn’t on the agenda until 2012, not 2011.”