Aintree favourite Peter Bowen admitted he may have a genuine Grand National contender on his hands after Mac Tottie stormed home to win the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Saturday's Sefton, which was moved back in the calendar from its usual December slot, offered the season's first look at the famous National fences and was seen as a potential acid test for those trainers with aspirations of Merseyside glory in April. 

Bowen knows what it is like to experience Aintree success in the spring over those iconic obstacles, having previously saddled four winners in the Topham Chase at the National meeting. 

The Welsh handler also came close to winning the big one in 2007 when Mckelvey was beaten three-quarters of a length by Gordon Elliott's Silver Birch and Aintree is sure to be in this season's future plans for Mac Tottie. 

This son of Midnight Legend lost a shoe as he was well beaten on reappearance at Fontwell last month. 

However, the eight-year-old seemed inspired as he held off the popular Senior Citizen to win by a length under the guidance of his handler's son, James. 

"That was good. It's the fifth time we've won round those fences - it's been a lucky place for us," said the Pembrokeshire trainer. 

"I have no idea why they seem to take to it. We do a lot of loose schooling, and they seem to find their own way from there." 

The excitement generated by Saturday's win has inevitably sparked talk of a National run for Mac Tottie, with a return to Aintree for the Becher Chase on December 4 looking to be a sensible next step. 

Saturday's gutsy showing will have boosted connections' hope that the Steve and Jackie Fleetham-owned gelding can stay and that was the feeling from the camp in the aftermath. 

Bowen snr admitted that he will take time to assess his options once he knows how the horse has come out of his excellent Aintree run. 

Even so, he seemed to hint that he will find it tough not to aim his charge at a potential National shot. 

"We just missed out in the National with Mckelvey, and hopefully this will end up being a National horse - I think he'll stay," he added.

"He came here in good form. Things didn't go quite right for him last time, because he lost a shoe and didn't really stride out after that. 

"He could come back here for the Becher next month, but we'll see how he is and speak to the owners."