Carrie Ford plans to re-apply for her riding licence if Forest Gunner is entered to run in the Grand National. Forest Gunner, trained by Ford's husband Richard, showed his credentials with victory in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock Park on Saturday.
The gelding has won the Fox Hunters' and the Grand Sefton at Aintree in the past 12 months.
"If he runs in the National I'll ride. I won't have any rides before, I'll go straight to Aintree," said Carrie Ford.
Forest Gunner led from the start at Haydock but started to fade in the closing stages and the dogged Double Honour edged ahead with the line in sight.
Jockey Peter Buchanan managed to coax one last effort out of the 11-year-old, however, to claim the win.
Double Honour was second while Kelami ended up in third.
Forest Gunner now looks set to get his chance in the National on 9 April.
"I would still have a slight doubt about him staying in the National, but Aintree will be the next stop," said Richard Ford.
There is a possibility Forest Gunner could miss the race if conditions went against him.
"It's all down to the weather which race he goes for," said Carrie Ford.
"If it rained all March and the ground turned like it was when Red Marauder won, we'd have to go to the Topham.
"But if it was decent, the National is too big an opportunity to miss."
Red Square Vodka Gold Cup
1. Forest Gunner (P Buchanan) 12-1
2. Double Honour (P J Brennan) 10-1
3. Kelami (M A Fitzgerald) 9-1
11 ran
MMIX
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