'He just has to go six places better now!' - Griffins dreaming of another tilt at Aintree with Roi Mage

All roads will lead back to the Grand National for Roi Mage, who is as happy herding sheep as he is jumping fences.

The Patrick Griffin-trained 11-year-old began his Aintree preparation sweetly with success in a Listed cross-country race at Compiegne in France this month. It was his first appearance since jumping and travelling with aplomb in the Grand National in April before fading after the second-last and finishing 14 lengths behind winner Corach Rambler in seventh.

Roi Mage ran in the National after suffering a nasty cut in a cross-country handicap at Cheltenham in January, and assistant trainer James Griffin is hopeful of a clearer run this season ahead of another audacious Aintree tilt.

He said: "Crossing the Melling Road last year, it looked like he was nearly going to be on the podium so it was quite an adrenaline rush. He just has to go six places better now! He's so measured at his obstacles, he just never touches a twig whether it's over the banks, hurdles or fences. Whatever it is, he'll just jump it.

"We're just lucky we had Maggio and now we have this fella, it's just a pity he's not a year or two younger. He's just a dude, he is top dog here so he finds life very easy. He loves the beach and those types of things keep the enthusiasm going in those older horses. He was herding sheep the day before he travelled to France!

"He's enthusiastic in his races, too, a very strong traveller. Considering he missed the whole of February last season you could definitely mark up his effort in the National, and if we can get a clear run this year then I'd expect another good showing."

Roi Mage (far left) runs a cracker to finish seventh in last season's NationalCredit: GROSSICK RACING

Roi Mage was returning from a seven-month break to score over the banks at Compiegne over 3m3f, staying on powerfully after the last to overhaul Gasby Des Planches by three lengths under James Reveley.

Griffin said: "We were delighted with him at Compiegne. They probably went too steady for him so it wasn't a proper test, but he flew home after the last. It was proper soft ground, but he just got tapped for toe. James said he was always confident from when they turned in that he would pick up and he was well on top at the end.

"James has been riding for us for a long time and he's a very good friend of mine. He sourced the horse for us, but he missed out on the opportunity to ride him in the National last year through injury, so it was nice he got redemption in that sense.

"Roi Mage will more than likely go to Tramore on New Year's Day and then to the Boyne Hurdle or the Red Mills and then on to Down Royal on St Patrick's Day before running in the National again."

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