An international campaign could be ahead of Crisp Steeplechase winner Bashboy who proved himself Australia's supreme jumps horse with another dominant victory.
With his opportunities limited and with prohibitive weights now assured for Bashboy, trainer Ciaron Maher said would "have a think" about overseas alternatives after the Grand National Steeplechase in two weeks.
"I'm open to it, but we'll all talk about it after he's done his job here," Maher said.
Bashboy, the winner of the same race a year ago, met some stern opposition in this year's Crisp and also had to overcome a couple of faulty jumps in the second half of the race before asserting himself in the final 400 metres.
"He just got his revs up and took off out of my hands and made a decent mistake," said jockey Steve Pateman.
"But he's a good horse, he overcame that.
Pateman gave Bashboy a confident ride, staying wide on the heavy track and staying in touch with the leader Cats Fun over the entire 3900m.
After a mistake going up the hill the second time, Bashboy jumped safely over the final two fences and collared Cats Fun as they leapt the last of the 12 fences.
With Pateman allowing him to go to the line under his own steam, Bashboy ($1.40 fav) scored by 3-1/2 lengths from Cats Fun ($10) with nine lengths to Kirribilli Gold ($10) in third.
The feature win capped a big few days for Maher after emerging stayer Mr O'Ceirin won Thursday's Grafton Cup.
AAP TURF