RACING: Charlie eyes National (From Witney Gazette)

RACING: Charlie eyes National

9:20am Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in Sport

CHARLIE Longsdon is aiming his Peter Marsh Chase runner-up Palypso De Creek at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 10, writes Russell Smith.

The seven-year-old, from Longsdon’s Hull Farm stables, near Chipping Norton, ran a blinder to finish second to Our Vic in the Grade 2 contest at the Merseyside track two weeks ago.

And the French import already has experience of Aintree’s unique fences after finishing fourth to Vic Venturi in the Becher Chase in November, "We were very pleased with his Haydock run,” said Longsdon. “He has come back extremely well and we won't run him again until the weights come out (February 16).

"We always thought he was a good horse and I don't think he has improved particularly since he came to us.

"He loved the Grand National fences when he ran in the Becher Chase.

“He pulled a front shoe off right at the beginning of the race, which made him slightly careful over those fences, but he jumped well.

"He is a tidy, economical jumper, which I presume is what you need round there anyway.

"He would certainly run once more before the Grand National, possibly twice more.

"He will get entries in plenty of races and could go to Cheltenham and then on to Aintree.”

• THE Heythrop Hunt point-to-point meeting at Dunthrop was cancelled again on Sunday due to a frozen course.

No decision has yet been taken as to whether the meeting can be re-arranged for a third time.