Addington Boy, who has run with distinction in the last two Martell Grand Nationals, will be aimed at the Aintree marathon once again next year.
Ferdy Murphy's 12-year-old, fourth behind Bobbyjo 12 months ago, finished a gallant fifth, around 20 lengths behind the winner Papillon, on Saturday.
"We were over the moon with him," Murphy said on Sunday. "He's come back bucking and squealing. We've just turned him out now and he's so well we could run him again today.
"There's not a mark on him and we are delighted to get him home in one piece.
"He is high enough in the handicap and those who finished in front of him in the National were all getting weight from him."
Addington Boy looked sure to be placed as the field crossed the Melling Road for the final time but made a couple of errors and Murphy added: "He just didn't get his height at one or two but Adrian (Maguire) got a tremendous buzz from the ride."
An attempt had been made to retire Addington Boy to Ireland earlier this season but he failed to settle and worked well on the beach at Wexford for local point-to-point trainer Liz Doyle, prompting connections to go for the Grand National.
"He will go back to Wexford then the plan is to run him at Kelso in February 2001 followed by another go for the Grand National," Murphy added.
