BENSALEM could be an intriguing runner in the totesport Bowl on the opening day of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

Trainer Alan King is pondering whether to pitch his Cheltenham Festival winner Bensalem in with the big boys in the Liverpool Day feature at Aintree on Thursday.

The eight-year-old was an excellent winner of the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park, having been unlucky when falling in the same race last year.

Bensalem is a definite runner at the Grand National meeting but King must decide whether to take on the likes of Gold Cup runner-up Denman, or the John Smith’s Handicap Chase on Saturday under a big weight.

The Barbury Castle handler said: “Thursday’s race is a 48-hour declaration, so we have to make our minds up by 10am on Tuesday.

“Bensalem has come out of Cheltenham well and is so tough, but I want to see what is left in the handicap before deciding which route to take.”

Meanwhile Paul Nicholls will have just one runner in this Friday’s Aintree feature contest, the John Smith’s Melling Chase, in Master Minded.

The champion trainer also has Poquelin among the 15 entries, but he is an unlikely participant.

Poquelin disappointing when he could only finish fourth in the Ryanair Chase when sent off favourite at Cheltenham last month.

Master Minded will step up in trip after finishing unplaced in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Nicholls said: “Master Minded will be my only runner in the Melling as the race may come too soon for Poquelin.

“It took Poquelin a good week to get over Cheltenham, which leads me to think that he wasn’t at his best there.

“He could go to Cheltenham next week or maybe we will wait for Punchestown.”