Definitly on his way to Aintree

BRIAN Ellison is dreaming of Grand National glory after Definitly Red put up a classy performance to win the BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

The North Yorkshire trainer intends to leave no stone unturned ahead of a tilt at the Aintree showpiece, even trying the eight-year-old over specially built National-style fences before giving him the go-ahead for April 8.

An impressive winner of the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, Definitly Red had parted companywithhisriderinthePeterMarshat Haydock, but he bounced back in the hands of Danny Cook to comfortably land this recognised Grand National trial on Town Moor, winning with 14 lengths in hand over last year’s National runner-up The Last Samuri.

However, Cook was banned for four days (March 24-27) for using his whip in the incorrect place and when clearly winning. Earlier, he had been banned for two days (March 22 and 23) for using his whip above the permitted level on fifth-placed Point The Way in the opening race.

Paddy Power cut Definitly Red to 16/1 from 25/1 for the Grand National, with Ladbrokes going 20/1 from 33s.

Another horse going to Aintree is Mount Mews, after his widemargin strike in the Grade 2 £38,000 totescoop6 Premier Hurdle at Kelso.

Brian Hughes barely moved a muscle as the 11/8 favourite strolled home 49 lengths clear of sole other finisher Chalonnial.

Winning trainer Malcolm Jefferson said: “Things might have fallen apart a bit for some of the others. He’s not a flashy horse or too big, but he’s athletic and I really like him a lot.”

The Listed totepoolliveinfo.com Premier Chase went to 8/1 chance Seldom Inn, who was the third leg of a 346/1 four-timer for Hughes. His other two winners came on the Nick Alexander-trained pair of Clan Legend (100-30) and The Orange Rogue (11-4 favourite). Clan Legend’s success in the Cyril Alexander Memorial Chase was especially dear to the trainer’s heart as the race is named in honour of his father.

Meanwhile, Remiluc could give Chris Gordon a Cheltenham Festival runner after initiating a double for the trainer with victory in the William Hill “High 5” Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.

The eight-year-old bounced back to winning ways with a 2.75-length success in the extended two-mile prize, to edge a step closer to an outing in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Bol D’Air (5/4) completed the Winchester handler’s brace in the Laurent’s Half Century Novices’ Hurdle.