JAMES Moffatt is hopeful the going at Aintree will play right into his hands as Highland Lodge prepares for what could be the final race of his career.

The 13-year-old will line up once more at the Merseyside venue for tomorrow afternoon’s Topham Chase, having missed out on a place in this year’s Randox Health Grand National on Saturday.

Rainfall earlier in the week means the going around the National course is currently good to soft, soft in places, and while Cartmel trainer Moffatt would prefer it to be on the softer side, he is confident it will suit Highland Lodge.

“Rain has come at the right time,” said Moffatt. “I spoke to (Aintree clerk of the course) Andrew Tulloch on Tuesday morning and the showers are hit and miss, but they didn’t expect 10mm of rain on Monday night.

“A bit more rain would be good for him, but as long as it’s good to soft that will be great. Softer ground would help even more, but we’ll see.

“He’s in tip-top shape and I’m really looking forward to watching him run.”

The Mail: Picture: GentingBetPicture: GentingBet

Picture: GentingBet

Highland Lodge’s 2015 Becher Chase win at the Merseyside venue came on good to soft ground too, although the Pit Farm Stables inmate has shown a particular liking for the National fences too.

Moffatt admitted this his likely to be the veteran campaigner’s last race before retirement, so it is perhaps appropriate he goes out having one last tilt at one of Aintree’s most prestigious races outside of the Grand National.

“As much as anything else, it’s those fences – I don’t know why, but he loves them,” said Moffatt.

“That’s his bag and it might be his swansong race, I would imagine, but he’s been in such good order we just thought we’d have another crack at this.

“We missed out last year with a foot infection which kept him out, so this year he’s in great shape and looking forward to it.”