Trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed the preferred option for Pleasant Company would be the Grand National in April.
Pleasant Company strengthened his claims for the most valuable jump race in Europe with an impressive victory at Fairyhouse on Saturday in the Grade Three At The Races Bobbyjo Chase.
The nine-year-old, under the guidance of experienced jockey Ruby Walsh, finished half a length ahead of the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Thunder And Roses in second.
Mullins’ charge does have a number of entries for the 2017 Cheltenham Festival in March, including the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but the Irish handler has revealed the Grand National is the main target right now.
He was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail: “He is entered in the National and that would be the owner?s preferred option.”
Pleasant Company, who has picked up two victories from the last three outings, has been allotted 10st 7lb for the main event at Aintree and is guaranteed a place in the 40 starters on April 8.
