'He was fabulous' - Alan King lines up Arkle star Edwardstone for Aintree bid

Edwardstone, who was one of just four Grade 1 winners for Britain at Cheltenham last week, looks set to bid for his third top-level success of the season at Aintree next month.

Alan King is eyeing the Maghull Novices' Chase on Grand National day for Edwardstone, who gave him his first festival winner for seven years when landing the Arkle Chase under Tom Cannon.

"Edwardstone has come out of the race fine and if he remains in good form I'd love to go to Aintree with him," the trainer said in his Racing Post Weekender column.

Relive Edwardstone's win in the Arkle

"He's only a novice for one more run and I don't want to send him to Punchestown. There's no reason why he couldn't run another very big race in the two-mile novice at Liverpool, which Voy Por Ustedes finished second in after winning the Arkle for us in 2006.

"But we'll have to see how he is nearer the time and give him every chance to tell me if he wants to go there."

Edwardstone had been a big fancy for the Arkle since his win in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December and started 5-2 favourite for the Arkle, in which he dodged a faller at the fourth fence and scored readily by four and a quarter lengths.

Edwardstone wins the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He was fabulous," King said. "Although there was a bit of a scare at the fourth, he was very clever to sidestep the faller and he was excellent after that. I couldn't have asked for any more from him. Considering it was a championship race, it was very smooth.

"But that's not to say that watching it live was a pleasant experience! With all the pressure, I couldn't relax until he got over the last fence – but I did enjoy watching the replay!"

The Weekender is out every Wednesday and is available at all good stores. You can also download the edition from 9pm on Tuesday evening.

More reasons to look forward to the Grand National meeting:

'It's all to play for' - Paul Nicholls primed for Aintree and title challenge

Seven Cheltenham Festival absentees with a score to settle at Aintree

'His trainer's as clever as anyone' - who fancies one in the Grand National?

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