Vintage Clouds will now focus on Cheltenham after winning the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The 10-year-old entered the winner’s circle for the first time this season after beating Definitly Red by seven lengths in the Grade 2 contest, with Geronimo a head behind back in third.
The gelding, who fell at the first in the 2019 Grand National, looked in tip-top shape when landing the spoils.
It was a much-needed triumph after the grey was pulled up at Aintree in the Becher Chase on December 7 last year.
Connections were happy and owner Trevor Hemmings’ racing manager, Mick Meagher, outlined the team’s future plans for Vintage Clouds, which do not include another trip to Aintree.
“We always thought he was a National horse, but he just doesn’t like it so we might go back to Cheltenham for the race he was second in last year (Ultima) and then maybe the Scottish National,” he said.
