Ballyholland has Topham target

Ballyholland is to return to Aintree this spring – but it will be the Topham rather than the John Smith’s Grand National for Colin McBratney’s charge.

The Northern Irish raider, who won the 2009 Galway Plate, was prepared for the National last season and travelled smoothly through much of the race before weakening and pulled-up at the third-last.

Ballyholland was lame after Aintree and has needed time to recover.

“He jumped and travelled really well in the National but he just didn’t stay,” said McBratney.

“He got a bit of a bang in the race but he’s 100% and is back in training.

“I’m hoping he’ll run in a hurdle in mid-March before going for the Topham.

“All being well he’ll go back to Galway after that.”