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Aaron Bidlake is hoping a return south will signal a change of fortune for his stable star Eric The Viking.

The Tauherenikau trainer has been forced to alter his plans with last year’s Grand National Steeplechase winner after the gelding pulled up sore following an unplaced run at Awapuni last time out.

Bidlake had intended to start Eric The Viking in Saturday’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase, but decided the 5500 metre test at Trentham would now be asking too much of the horse.

He has instead opted for the South Canterbury meeting on Friday with the Equine Veterinary Services Steeplechase over 4200 metres a more suitable lead-up option to the defence of his National title at Riccarton.

"With missing that bit of work I thought it would be too much to head to Trentham over the 5500m on Saturday,” Bidlake said.

"You need to be 100 percent and have no hiccups along the way to go into a race like that.”

Eric The Viking won the Koral Steeplechase last winter before bagging the Grand National, but Bidlake has yet to decide if the gelding will contest the traditional lead-up this time around.

“You don't get re-handicapped from the Koral to the National so it is an option,” he said.