Cheltenham: Vintage Clouds course form encourages Sue Smith and Ryan Mania

The Trevor Hemmings-owned grey was third in 2018 before finishing runner-up to Beweare The Bear 12 months ago.

And while the Yorkshire steeplechaser – now 10 – has gone up significantly in the weights after winning the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, Smith hopes Cheltenham will, once again, bring out the best in Vintage Clouds before a second tilt at the Grand National.

“You’re in with the best so you’ve got to try your best,” said Smith whose Midnight Shadow lines up in the Grade One Marsh Novices’ Chase on Thursday.

“He has a good record round there in the last two years. For some reason he likes it there and, hopefully, he will run a good race. Let’s hope so – keep your fingers crossed.”

Unlike Middleham trainer Micky Hammond who favours heavy ground for Cornerstone Lad’s Champion Hurdle challenge, Smith and her husband Harvey hope for a sounder surface. “We would like a little better ground,” she said.

The race will be the first time that comeback jockey Ryan Mania has ridden for the Smith stable since returning to the saddle last October.

The winner of the 2013 Grand National on the Smith-trained Auroras Encore, he’s on the 17-winner mark for the season after Donna’s Diamond won at Ayr on Saturday. He’s also spoken of how he missed long-distance steeplechases during his five year absence from the sport.

Meanwhile Catterick trainer Phil Kirby believes stable star Lady Buttons, and the unheralded Desary Girl, hold each-way chances in the Grade One Close Brothers’ Mares’ Hurdle.