Tuesday 29 March 2016 12:35, UK
Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours could step up to two and a half miles for the first time in his career in the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on Thursday week.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old returned from a near two-year absence to run a fantastic race in the two-mile showpiece on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, finding only the brilliant mare Annie Power too strong up the famous hill.
Willie Mullins has already pencilled in a trip to Merseyside for Annie Power and with My Tent Or Yours more tractable at Cheltenham than has been the case previously, a rematch could be on the cards.
Henderson said: "We were thrilled to bits with how he ran. He settled very well, which was great, as he has been renowned for pulling very hard.
"If we'd got a run in, what might have been? I don't know. Annie Power is a seriously good mare.
"We've made no great decisions, but he's fine.
"You could wait for Punchestown, or come into Aintree. Again, Annie Power is going to be there (Aintree).
"It is just three weeks after Cheltenham, which was his first run for two years, so you do walk into this dreaded 'bounce' factor.
"I don't know whether we've a bounce in front of us or behind us, but the ball's in the air, to be fair.
"I want to talk to Barry (Geraghty) and AP (McCoy) and see whether if he's in the mode he's in at the moment, which is quite relaxed, will he go to sleep over two and a half miles?
"He was pretty good at Cheltenham. We had some pretty novel contraptions on and they seem to be working.
"If they are happy for him to go two and a half, I think that's the most likely scenario."
My Tent Or Yours is set to spearhead a strong Seven Barrows team at next week's Grand National meeting, despite confirmation Sprinter Sacre will not be in attendance following his emotional second triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Altior appears bound for Aintree, as does his stable companion and Supreme third, Buveur D'Air.
"I think it's almost certainly Aintree or nothing for Altior," Henderson told At The Races.
"He's great and has come out of Cheltenham very well.
"I think he did prove he's a very good novice who has got his whole life still in front of him. We haven't even begun yet, so there's an awful lot to look forward to.
"That doesn't mean he won't run again this season - another run isn't going to do him any harm. We'll see how he is over the coming weekend and then make a decision about Aintree.
"He's got everything you could wish to have for a two miler.
"I would think Buveur D'Air will almost certainly go to Aintree over two and a half.
"He has an enormous future over hurdles and particularly over fences."
The bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on April 23 remains under consideration for Sprinter Sacre.
"He's in great form and came back from Cheltenham really good," said Henderson.
"He had a wonderful day on Friday at the Lambourn Open Day. He stood there the whole day and came out of his box eight times to say 'hello' and have photos. He loves it.
"He's not going to Aintree. I think the clue to him at the moment is having him as fresh as he can be. He likes to be that way and I don't think it's going to be regular racing.
"We haven't made any firm decisions yet, but there is Sandown. That is the only race that's on the radar this season.
"Then we have a nice, long summer - hopefully he'll have lots of sun and grass and then we'll take it from there."
Henderson also confirmed his intention to "have a little crack" at World Hurdle hero Thistlecrack with impressive Ascot scorer Different Gravey in the Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle on Grand National day.
L'Ami Serge will also be part of the Aintree squad, but Arkle Trophy faller Vaniteux is set to be saved for the Future Champion Novices' Chase at Ayr the following week.
Henderson's 2013 Arkle hero Simonsig, who returned from over two and a half years on the sidelines when runner-up to stablemate Bobs Worth in a hurdle race at Aintree in November, could make his first competitive appearance since in Saturday's Liz Adam Memorial Chase at Kelso.
