Henry Daly says he will be heading back to the Grand National via novice hurdles with Fortescue following his Becher Chase run earlier this month.
The eight-year-old gelding finished fourth, beaten 10 lengths by Ashtown Lad at the start of the month after missing the break at Aintree.
Under 3lb claimer Hugh Nugent, the son of Shirocco stayed on nicely following an unpromising start to the three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap, run over the National fences.
Fortescue had finished fourth of five to Donald McCain's Maximilian on soft ground at Bangor in November on his reappearance.
He was a close third to the classy Royale Pagaille in the Grade Two Peter Marsh at Haydock in January. And he went on to land the Listed Swinley Chase at Ascot the following month, bearing the 15/8 favourite Fiddlerontheroof.
Winner of six of his 16 starts over fences and runner-up on a further three occasions, he had shown an aptitude for jumping the famous National obstacles on his first try last season.
The 28/1 shot unseated Nugent four fences from home in the blue riband event.
Daly though is keen to return and make it third-time lucky at the Merseyside track in April.
"It was unfortunate we missed the break, but I thought he jumped very well, and he ran nicely," Daly said of his most recent effort behind Ashtown Lad.
"He will be targeted at the National. There is the possibility of continuing to run in novice hurdles, because, rather spectacularly, I have failed to win a novice hurdle with him!
"Interestingly, he will need to be rated 144 or 145 to get in the National and he's 144 at the moment.
"So, it is one of those things, he could easily run in a novice hurdle and the plan is, at the moment, in my mind, that's what we're doing.
"He has come out of the race fine and hasn't turned a hair."
