A tilt at the Coral Welsh Grand National is a "definite possibility" for Portrait King following his late exit in Saturday's Becher Chase at Aintree.
A tilt at the Coral Welsh Grand National is a "definite possibility" for Portrait King following his late exit in Saturday's Becher Chase at Aintree.
Making just his second start for Patrick Griffin having been previously trained by Maurice Phelan, the grey was in the process of running a big race over the Grand National fences until coming to grief two fences from home in the hands of Derek Fox, leaving connections ruing their luck.
James Griffin, assistant to his father, said: "Thankfully he's come back fine, but we are wondering what might have been. Derek was adamant he would have been in the mix. We know he stays four miles so his stamina was only just coming into play when he came down. It was just one of those things."
He went on: "It would be great to get him into the Grand National. He probably needs to go up another 7lb, so we'll try and work out the best way to do that.
"We've left him in the Welsh National, which is a definite possibility, but there is also a race at Ayr on January 2 and the race at Punchestown he won last year on January 9.
"If we can get him in the Grand National, then great, but we and the owners also have Maggio in the National this year.
"If Portrait King doesn't get in, we have the Eider Chase and the Midlands National as game plans and he could then go for the Becher Chase again next season and then hopefully the National in 2017."
Portrait King is one of 57 horses to stand their ground following the latest acceptance stage for the Welsh National, with De rmot McLoughlin's veteran Vics Canvas and the Mouse Morris-trained Folsom Blue also among the potential Irish challenge.
With the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Rocky Creek and Unioniste among 15 defectors, the weights have risen 4lb, leaving Houblon Des Obeaux, The Giant Bolster and The Druids Nephew at the top of the weights on 11st 12lb.
Leading ante-post fancies Upswing (10st 9lb), Cogry (10st 7lb), Midnight Prayer (10st 7lb) and Sausalito Sunrise (11st 6lb) all remain in contention for the three-mile-five-furlong marathon, while last year's winner Emperor's Choice (10st 11lb) could defend his crown for Venetia Williams.