The giant Mr Vango (4-1) battled to a superb success in the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon. And now connections are praying for 'Red Marauder' ground so they can have a dream bid for the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on April 5.

Venetia Williams’ Royale Pagaille (5-2 favourite) was strangely subdued at his beloved Haydock and under top weight of 12st, the 11-year-old Rich Ricci-owned gelding was pulled up as he couldn't land a record third victory in the 3m1½f feature and sixth success overall at the Merseyside track. But as he floundered the massive Mr Vango – who stands more than 18 hands – thrived in the soft conditions and made all before staying on for a superb three-length victory over former Welsh Grand National winner, veteran Iwilldoit (14-1), with Donald McCain's Richmond Lake (7-1) a neck back in third.

Mr Vango – who won the Devon National at Exeter by 60 lengths last year and the London National Handicap Chase at Sandown at the start of last month – is turning into a top-class staying chaser when he gets his preferred testing underfoot conditions. And with only six chase starts so far there is clearly more to come.

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Having bypassed a crack at the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow last month so he could be given more time to recover from his Sandown exertions, all the big staying contests are within his sites. The Old Manor Stables in Wantage, Oxfordshire, may have another star on their hands. They are dreaming of a crack at the world's greatest steeplechase for which Mr Vango was priced at 50-1 with Paddy Power and Skybet. But conditions are crucial and he would only line-up at Aintree if they were like when Red Marauder ploughed through the mud in 2001.

Bradstock said: "He is such a fantastic horse because he can't go any faster than that but he keeps going and he jumps beautifully. He is a giant and he has to try very hard. We don't want to take him racing unless he is absolutely spot-on. He wasn't quite over Sandown (so he missed the Welsh National).

"We are hoping and praying we get the wettest spring on record so we can run him in the National, I would only run him in very heavy ground as they would be going to fast for him. You saw at Exeter last year (in testing conditions) that he was still going and the others weren't. He is so big so it is easy for him.

"He is the biggest racehorse I have ever seen so he takes a bit of time to be spot-on. He showed that he just keeps going. He was given time pointing and I think he has needed all the time and he is coming to full strength. Ground is totally needed so yes the Grand National is the dream but it would only be on soft or heavy – Red Marauder is exactly what we are looking for. Wherever it is a slog. If he can get out and gallop them into submission that is how he does it."

Uncle Bert (10-1) won the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap Hurdle holding off the late challenge of Kilbarry Hill (13-2).