Trainer Jamie Snowden has revealed that Fact Of The Matter is in contention to run in this year’s Grand National at Aintree.

The nine-year-old has been provisionally entered into the Aintree marathon, although it will only become a serious target if he performs well in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Snowden said: “We are definitely on course to go for the cross country chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with possibly a racecourse gallop before then. Depending how it goes at Cheltenham, we might consider the Grand National.

“He is rated 140, but the handicapper frames the weights differently for the Grand National and as he has won over the cross country fences, that might help his chances.”

The Sandylini Racing Partnership-owned gelding did win over course and distance in his last run at Cheltenham before Christmas and Snowden feels the cross country style races suit him.

The trainer added: “He seems to love the cross country fences and you can find if horses take to them, they can improve and it has done with him.”

Fact Of The Matter is priced at 13.00 to claim victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, although he is likely to face a stiff test of his credentials, particularly from defending champion Tiger Roll, who is available at 3.50.

Should Fact Of The Matter claim the spoils at Cheltenham then, at 41.00, he could well be considered a major contender to win the Grand National.