Alan King says Notachance's win on Saturday at Warwick has only added to his belief that he can be a Scottish Grand National contender.
The seven-year-old had been held back after a winning return at Bangor on November 11 but King's patience paid off as he edged Venetia Williams' surging Achille by half a length in the McCoys Civil Engineering Classic Chase.
On soft ground, the favourite did well to keep early leader Captain Chaos in sight and despite soon taking control of the race, Tom Cannon admitted it felt like a "long way home" from the last.
The SkyBet Chase at Doncaster had previously been mentioned as an option for Notachance, with King still holding an entry for the Town Moor three-miler on January 30.
However, the Wroughton-handler insists that was always a reserve choice with his priority being Saturday's run at Warwick.
While a warm-up run is an option, the trainer says he will only consider that plan if he feels it will benefit his charge's chances at Ayr on April 17.
"We always wanted to come here. He wouldn't go [to Doncaster] as it was a back up," he said. "I see him as a Scottish National horse with maybe one run between now and then."
Article Posted on Saturday 16th January 2021 @ 17.43
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