Kim Bailey was "delighted" by the performance of The Last Samuri in defeat at Doncaster on Saturday.
Attempting to win the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster for the second successive season he was beaten only by Brian Ellison's Definitly Red.
The Last Samuri was running off a 12lb higher mark than last year, and having finished second in the
Grand National last April, Bailey feels he will head back to Merseyside in the best possible shape.
"I'm delighted with him," said Bailey.
"He has been prepared for one race and one race only.
"It was a far better race that he ran and won last year and he was higher in the weights this year."