Handled by permit holder Norman Mason, of Red Marauder and Martell Grand National fame, the eight-year-old is a full-brother to last year’s Aintree hero and is going the right way to emulating his big brother.

There was a lot to like about his victory on his latest start.

That came in the Grade Two Bet Direct Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on very testing ground when he was given a really smart ride by Mason’s assistant Richard Guest.

Banker Count looked the likely winner two fences from home but Red Striker was still going well in behind and ran on strongly up the run-in to see off that horse and hold the strong challenge of Robbo by two lengths.

Guest said: ‘‘We will go for the Racing Post Chase now and I know a horse rated 137 has a lot of improving to do to go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but if it came up a bog we would have a go this year.’’

‘‘I think Red Marauder is every bit as good as Red Striker but unfortunately he had his problems earlier in his career.

‘‘I have always wanted to win a Gold Cup more than the National it is a Grade One race with all horses off level weights while the National is only a handicap.’’

The weights look set to rise as the participation of Rince Ri, Shooting Light and Marlborough would have to be a major doubt.

Red Striker, allotted 10st 11lb in the long handicap, is basically a highly progressive performer over fences and has a major chance in the £90,000 contest - especially if the mud is flying.

Banker Count could reoppose on 5lb better terms but though he has won in excess of three miles, at Wetherby last April, the suspicion is that he is more effective at a slightly shorter trip.

Ferdy Murphy’s Hindiana went chasing with a lofty reputation but things have not gone entirely to plan.

However, it may be worth giving him another chance in the £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup at the Merseyside track.

The seven-year-old has found life tough this season after being sent over fences he has been unable to contest novice events having won a chase at Auteuil when trained in France.

He was thrown in at the deep end behind Foxchapel King and Florida Pearl at Down Royal in November and has since contested the Hennessy Gold Cup, Tommy Whittle Chase, as well as the Peter Marsh.

But he has run with credit in all of them and was staying on to good effect in the latter event when he finished seventh, beaten just over seven lengths behind Red Striker.

Murphy said: ‘‘He’ll go for the De Vere Gold Cup. He got a little bit behind early on and probably will improve for the run again.

‘‘He had a bit of a blow down the back and just missed one there.

‘‘It’s been very hard because of his rating. The handicapper hasn’t been easy on him so he’s had to go in those top races and try to learn he’s a first-season novice.

‘‘The De Vere will be ideal. It’s another half mile.’’

Hindiana was useful as a novice hurdler and gets in here with 9st 9lb.

He runs as if a real test could bring out the best of him as he is not always the most fluent of jumpers and a steadier pace in testing ground should allow him to get his act together.

Murphy’s horses are also now in much better form than earlier in the season and Hindiana can add another big staying prize to his popular trainer’s haul of victories.