SAINT Are, the horse who gave trainer Tim Vaughan one the finest hours of his training career, has switched stables.

The Grade One Sefton Novices' Hurdle victor and 2013 Grand National ninth is now in the care of Tom George.

Apart from a fourth at Haydock in November, the formerly smart stayer seemed to lose his way last term, failing to complete the course on his last two starts.

He sprang a 33-1 shock when handing Vaughan a first Grade One in at Aintree in 2011, a course where he also battled to a Listed handicap chase win the following year.

The Argus visited the Vaughan yard before Saint Are returned to his favourite course for the 2013 Grand National, running well for a horse prone to the odd jumping error.

Vaughan said: "He was a good horse for us. I think the owner thought he might benefit from a change of scenery."

There are few older horses at Vaughan's Cowbridge base now as he concentrates on building for the future.

Around twenty younger ones have been bought to bolster the ranks, including three from France, 12 from Ireland and another in a private sale.

Best of the bunch are expected to be Fayette County, Oscars Den, Le Fin Bois, the lightly raced Ballyrock and Nathans Pride who has rattled up a summer hat-trick.

"Fayette County will have a run in a handicap hurdle in October or November and go novice chasing. He's a lovely horse and I think he'll be a a 140 rated horse," said Vaughan.

"Le Fin Bois is probably heading to the big 4 year old hurdle at Chepstow in October. He'd only been here nine days when he ran at Cheltenham and has now settled into training.

"Oscars Den is my second big hope alongside Fayette County, Ballyrock is a nice animal and Nathans Pride will be alright in time."