Cheltenham defence now the aim for Myretown

Cheltenham Festival handicap entries reveal that Myretown has a repeat bid for the Ultima Handicap Chase in his sights any Grand National dreams were checked at Haydock on Saturday.

Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s nine-year-old lined up in the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial at the weekend to test his mettle over an extended trip, but the added distance was not to his liking and he was ultimately pulled up by Derek Fox.

He was therefore unable to boost his mark and with it his chances of making the cut for the National, but as he did not seem to relish a stamina test connections feel they are being guided towards a title defence in the Ultima – a race he won by 11 lengths last season.

“Derek got off at Haydock and said he just didn’t stay, and that probably is the case,” said Scudamore.

“With the way the ratings fall I couldn’t see him getting a National run off the back of that.

“All being well we’ll now head back to Cheltenham for the Ultima instead.”

He added: “That is the beauty of it I suppose, there was a question park going into the Haydock race and we knew we’d find out where we needed to be.

“Now it looks a lot clearer that Cheltenham should be the main aim and all being well, that’s the plan.”

The Wallpark was a notable omission from the handicap entries, and although the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old had been available at short odds for the National Hunt Chase and the Kim Muir he does not feature on the list for either.

Paul Nicholls landed the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase with Caldwell Potter last term, and this year’s representative may be another expensive purchase in Regent’s Stroll.

The County Hurdle has attracted 70 entries, including the 2025 runner-up Ndaawi and the globetrotting dual-purpose campaigner Absurde, who was third last term and is one of 11 Willie Mullins-trained entrants.