BACKSTAGE REMAINS on course for Cheltenham’s Foxhunters Chase after picking up a sixth point-to-point success of the current campaign last weekend.

The Gordon Elliott-trained horse finished 10th when one of the favourites for last year’s Grand National and could again take part in the Aintree spectacular in April.

However, Cheltenham’s Foxhunters is very much his priority this season after a win at Ballydarragh on Sunday.

“He did it well as he usually does in that grade,” said Tim Palin, racing manager for the part-owners, Middleham Park Racing.

“This time 12 months ago the Grand National was Plan A for him, but this season the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham is his Derby. It’s always difficult to know what they’ve achieved in these point-to-points, but personally I’d like to think he’s running to a mark of around 130. If he can run up to that sort of rating, then he should be competitive at the festival,” he added.