Connections of Arzal are planning to skip an outing at the Cheltenham Festival, with Aintree's Grand National meeting the ultimate target.
Harry Whittington's charge was beaten just over three lengths by Vaniteux when giving weight away in the Grade Two Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster last Saturday.
While Arzal is rated a lively outsider for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy and the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, the six-year-old is set to bypass the meeting entirely in favour of arriving fresh for Aintree in April.
"He's come of the race well. We were very happy with him at Doncaster, to give Vaniteux 4lb and only just be beaten was a good run," Whittington said.
"I think we will miss Cheltenham, with the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One (Manifesto Novices' Chase) at Aintree the plan, with a possible prep race over two miles and three furlongs at Doncaster at the beginning of March.
"We just think the undulations at Cheltenham might catch him out and he is really suited by galloping, flat, left-handed tracks like Doncaster and Newbury.
"The Arkle looks a very hot race this year and we could go for the JLT, but sharp tracks and undulations are not ideal for him.
"It is a big call to miss Cheltenham, especially for a small yard like ours, but we like to think outside the box a bit here and I've spoken to the owners and they seem happy to go to Aintree fresh.
"We are keen to have the best chance of running a big race in a Grade One."