Definitly Red sparks National dream for Brian Ellison following Grimthorpe glory

Brian Ellison is dreaming of Grand National glory after Definitly Red put up a classy performance to win the BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.The North Yorkshire trainer intends to leave no stone unturned ahead of a tilt at the Randox Health-sponsored showpiece, even trying the eight-year-old over specially built National-style fences before giving him the go-ahead for Aintree on April 8.An impressive winner of the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, Definitly Red parted company with his rider in the Peter Marsh at Haydock, but he bounced back in the hands of Danny Cook to comfortably land this recognised National trial on Town Moor.Three horses rounded the home turn in with a chance of victory, but it was clear Definitly Red had far more to give than Wakanda and Sego Success, who were being hard driven on either side of him.Definitly Red (7-2) jumped to the front with a bold leap four fences from the finish and soon put daylight between himself and his rivals as he came home with 14 lengths in hand over last year's National runner-up The Last Samuri.Cook said: "Hopefully now all roads lead to the National. I think he's a very good horse and the question is whether he can jump round there."However, Cook was banned for four days (March 24-27) for using his whip in the incorrect place and when clearly winning.Cook had earlier got two days (March 22 and 23) for using his whip above the permitted level on fifth-placed Point The Way in the opening race.Paddy Power cut Definitly Red to 16-1 from 25-1 for the National, with Ladbrokes going 20-1 from 33s. His trainer soon confirmed the Aintree spectacular as his intended target."All being well, that's the plan. He looked good there, he's a terrific jumper and Danny gets on well with him," said Ellison."He travelled well, he jumped well. The plan wasn't to hit the front that early but he was going so well that Danny couldn't wait."At Haydock things didn't go to plan, but he's won the Rowland Meyrick and now this, which is his best result so far."Providing he schools well over National-style fences, he'll go to Aintree. They are building two at Malton.I can't see why he won't take to them as he is such a good jumper." Ellison will have to win over owner Phil Martin to his way of thinking.Martin said: "I'm not a big fan of the National but I put him in. Brian wanted to give him a Gold Cup entry, but I thought that was flying high."He was on 149 and he'll go up to about 160 after this and he might be a Charlie Hall horse next season.We'll go along with the National idea and see how it goes." Jason Maguire, racing manager to Paul and Clare Rooney, owners of the Kim Bailey-trained The Last Samuri, said: "He got a little bit outpaced, but he ran on really well and was giving the winner 12lb."We're happy. It was a good trial run for the National."