Monday 23 November 2015 11:43, UK
Alvarado, fourth in last two renewals of the Crabbie's Grand National, will not be sighted until the new year but remains on course for another tilt at the Aintree marathon next April.
The admirable 10-year-old was seen just once in a veterans' handicap chase at Doncaster prior to his outing at the Liverpool track last term and is likely to be campaigned similarly this time around.
Trainer Fergal O'Brien said: "He's enjoyed a great summer holiday and is now back in work and in good form at home.
"He looks fantastic and I'm really happy with him given the time of year, but he won't be out this side of Christmas and we'll look to get two runs into him before the National, perhaps just the one.
"He'll tell us when he's ready to run but he's very straight forward at home and the plan will be to prepare him as best as we can for next April."
The Gloucestershire-based handler is excited by the prospect of his new recruit Barney Dwan.
A welcome addition to O'Brien's novice hurdling ranks, the son of Vinnie Roe built on a taking debut for the trainer at Exeter when bolting up at Market Rasen last week.
O'Brien said: "We weren't expecting him to win so well at Market Rasen and we're very excited about his future.
"The form of his Exeter run behind Yanworth stacks up and I really like him. He's not flashy, but he does his job well and is very straight forward at home.
"I haven't spoke to (owners) the Rooneys yet, or Jason Maguire who manages their horses, but he's a nice prospect."
