Aintree© Photo Healy Racing
The former David O'Brien-trained Irish 'pointer' Highland Lodge remains on course for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on April 9.
The 10-year-old made a winning debut for trainer James Moffatt when winning the Becher Chase over the National fences back in December.
Moffatt immediately stated his intention to keep Highland Lodge in reserve until the big day and while he admits a particularly large entry at Aintree is not ideal, he hopes a mark of 137 will be sufficient to make the cut.
"After we ran in the Becher Chase, our plan was always to go straight to the Grand National," he said.
"He's a horse that goes well fresh and at the moment our plan is still to go straight there.
"The horse is rated 137 so historically he has a good chance of getting in off that rating, although obviously we didn't know there would be such a large entry.
"We will just have to see what the handicapper does and that is out of our hands.
"We could have messed around going over hurdles, but my feeling is that he is best fresh and you only get one chance at the National."
