Trainer Martin Brassil could use a change of fortune as he gets Longhouse Poet ready for another attempt at the Randox Grand National next month after two near misses at Cheltenham last week.
Having his first try over the unique spruce-topped fences in last year’s renewal, he travelled well and was still in contention two out before falling to sixth under Darragh O'Keeffe.
He is currently expected to carry 4lb less than last year's 11th for his return in the Liverpool spectacular and is a general 20-1 chance for the race this time. His rating of 155 remains unchanged.
The nine-year-old has had his chase mark protected by running over hurdles this term and he was quick enough to land a two-and-a-half-mile handicap at Limerick on Boxing Day.
Though he unseated JJ Slevin at the first obstacle on his return to fences in the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse, he showed his well-being with victory over Roi Mage over three and a quarter miles at Down Royal last Friday.
Brassil feels that prep run will bring him on and said: “He came out of the race great and we are really looking forward to Aintree with him.
“He just did a bit too much in the race last year. He over-raced a bit.
“It was his first time there and he was very exuberant. He is such a good jumper, he was making ground over the fences and Darragh (O’Keeffe) was inclined to let him enjoy it.
“He needed to have a little quiet time at some stage in the race, to slot in behind a few. He did all the donkey work, really.”
Brassil is optimistic that Slevin will be able to ride this time, but is anxiously awaiting the results of a potential rider totting-up suspension.
“JJ Slevin will ride hopefully. He is not sure yet because he got an eight-day ban for An Epic Song and he got three the other day for something else," Brassil added.
“So he is having a look at that and hasn’t yet come back to me to tell me what’s the story. I haven’t got anyone else in mind, though.”
Though hopeful of another big run, dangers abound and Brassil, who won the National with Numbersixvalverde 17 years ago, thinks there are some well-handicapped horses in opposition.
