Trainer Sam Thomas has indicated Al Dancer will head to Huntingdon’s Grade 2 Peterborough Chase rather than defend his crown in the Grand Sefton at Aintree.

A winner on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow, Al Dancer produced an excellent performance to finish third behind Jetoile in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree – despite all fences in the home straight being omitted. Although the ten-year-old was prominent earlier under Charlie Deutsch, he lost position through the middle of the race and rallied well to pick up third in the closing stages.

"I was absolutely delighted with him and he put in another very solid run in what was a very competitive race I thought," said Thomas .

"I don't actually know if it helped or hindered him having the fences taken out, but it was just lovely to see him staying on again and run a really nice race off a career-high mark. We were absolutely thrilled.

"I think realistically the Grand Sefton will come a bit too soon. The reasoning behind going for the Old Roan was we felt he was in the form of his life and it is a very prestigious Grade Two race. We took our chance there and I would say it is fairly unlikely we will go to Aintree again now.

"Potentially the Peterborough maybe, going the other way round, will suit him. He does jump out a bit to his right and lugs a bit right so that would certainly help him. I think that might be on the calendar, providing he's in good shape to go there."