Joint-trainers Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall admit they are still pinching themselves as they prepare to send out their first ever Randox Grand National runner.
The JP McManus-owned Iroko is 27th in the list after being rated 152 and given a weight of 10st 11lb by the handicapper.
Now his Malpas-based trainers are putting the finishing touches to the seven-year-old gelding’s preparations before daring to dream of Aintree glory on April 5th.
Guerriero said: “It’s our first runner in the race so to have one so fancied is incredible. It puts a bit more pressure on him getting there, obviously, but we’re going to try and have a run before then at Kempton in the Ladbrokes Trophy on February 22nd and provided all that goes smoothly then it’s straight to Aintree.
“It’s very exciting, he looks made for the race, he’s got the right profile and we’re looking forward to it. We’re very lucky to have been allowed to train the horse for JP, which is incredible, and we’re just looking forward to it now. Just getting him there is the key.”
Iroko finished second to Inothewayurthinkin at the Merseyside track in the Grade One Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the Randox Grand National Festival last year and has followed that up this season with a second at Haydock Park and a fourth on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day last month, either side of a fall at Ascot in December.
Guerriero said: “This season he’s obviously he’s been a bit unlucky in one run and then we’ve just been trying to keep him sharp over a short distance and get him some good race experience at a fast pace and try not to expose him too much so we go there with the best chance possible.
“Aintree would be one of our local tracks. It’s only an hour away where we train and we both love it there. I had a winner over the National fences back in 2008 in the amateur race and Oliver’s sort of grown up there with his dad having been chairman so it’s got a special place in both our hearts.”
