CONKWELL Granage stables trainer Neil Mulholland says the Crabbie's Grand National is once again the "long-term aim" for The Druids Nephew.

Winner of a Grade Three handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the eight-year-old, part owned by Robert Atwell of Atwell Martin Estate Agents, which has offices in Chippenham, Calne and Swindon was still going strong in the National in April when he came to grief five fences from home.

The Druids Nephew has finished sixth on his two starts this term, at Wetherby and at Cheltenham, but a return to Aintree has already been earmarked as the seasonal end goal.

Mulholland said: "The Druids Nephew might have been second at Cheltenham if he nearly wasn't brought down late on so it was not a too bad run.

"The ground wasn't ideal that day and he now won't be out until March or April as he just wants better ground.

"He possibly won't run at both Cheltenham and Aintree as there is not as much time between the two meetings.

"He will have an entry at Cheltenham but he is not guaranteed to run as Aintree is the long-term aim."

Mulholland is weighing up several options for The Young Master after he finished fourth in his repeat bid for victory in Sodexo Silver Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

The six-year-old will not, however, run in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27.

The Wiltshire handler said: "The Young Master run really well as he was higher in the weights than last year.

"Sam (Waley-Cohen) learnt a bit more about him and he showed he is in good form so you would have to be happy with that.

"He has got several options now, like the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster or the Betfred Classic at Warwick."

Mulholland is leaning towards sending Shantou Village on a return trip to Cheltenham to contest the Classic Novices' Hurdle on January 30.

The five-year-old is as short as 8-1 for the Albert Bartlett and 12-1 for the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival after he maintained his unbeaten record with a decisive victory in the Grade Two Hyde Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

He said: "I am sitting on the fence at the moment, but I would probably say Shantou Village will go to Cheltenham next month, but it all depends on the ground closer to the time.

"I think he will learn more at Cheltenham, while the distance is another issue as I don't want to turn him into a slow horse this year.

"Racing over two and a half miles will just sharpen him up."

A return to Wetherby for a crack at the Grade Two Towton Novices' Chase could be on the cards for Southfield Royale.

The Angela Yeoman-owned five-year-old was defeated on his chasing bow at the Yorkshire circuit, but he has won on both of his starts since then, most recently in the Grade Two December Novices' Chase at Doncaster.

He said: "Southfield Royale is a nice horse and we might look at something like the Towton at Wetherby as he has won over course and distance there.

"Looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival, he would either run in the RSA or the four-miler (National Hunt Chase).

"We will see how he travels on better ground.

"If he does travel better (on better ground), then we would think about the RSA, but his racing style is perfect for the four-miler as he is so laid-back."