All roads lead back to Aintree for Maggio

Maggio will again be trained for the Grand National after his brilliant win in the Listed Betfred Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

The Patrick Griffin-trained 11-year-old just missed the cut for the Aintree showpiece for the second year in a row, but he made up for that disappointment with a facile success in the race beforehand.

Maggio is likely to have a light campaign in preparation for next year's race, with the Galway Plate and the Old Roan Chase at Aintree identified as two possible targets.

James Griffin, assistant trainer to his father, said: "When a horse wins like that it doesn't take anything out of them and he is absolutely bouncing since, thankfully.

"It was quite unreal watching the race. We went over quietly hopeful of a very good run but the main worry was the weather. We thought just in that sort of company that you need everything in your favour and he is better on better ground. He always threatened to win a race like that and thankfully he duly obliged on the day.

"It's all about the Grand National for his owners (Douglas Pryde and James Beaumont). The handicapper in England has given him 11lb to 151, while Noel O'Brien (Irish senior handicapper) has put us on to 148.

"We'll have a look at the Galway Plate and then I'd imagine we'll have a look at something like the Old Roan. I'd say that will be it then until the weights come out for the National.

"It was a great day, and any festival winner is brilliant, but on Grand National day there is 10 million-plus people watching.

"We knew we had him right for the day as he was being trained for the National. His owners had a few quid each-way on him. Douglas lives in Kelso and Jim is originally from the Liverpool docks but lives in Edinburgh. Douglas worked and lived in Liverpool, as well, and so that's the Aintree connect for them."