David Pipe trainer of Daklondike © Photo Healy Racing
Daklondike is likely to go for the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase after trainer David Pipe opted against a run in the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock.
Pipe is hoping there will be plenty of cut in the ground at Newcastle on Saturday for the seven-year-old, whose last two runs have come at Haydock.
He was a game winner of the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at the Merseyside track in December, but only got as far as the fifth fence in the Peter Marsh last month when he unseated his rider after being bumped.
Daklondike is one of the Pipe stable's five entries in the Randox Health Grand National - but whether he goes to Aintree in April would hinge on the going.
"He'll probably go for the Eider," said the Nicholashayne handler.
"He's a bit ground dependent. He'd want it on the softer side if he was to run in the National."
