Grand National main target for Iroko

The JP McManus-owned gelding made a promising start to the current campaign, after just missing out to Trelawne at Haydock last month, and is now set for a relatively light campaign between now and April.

“He’s really well and goes to Ascot on the 21st for a graduation chase again,” said co-trainer Josh Guerriero..

“After that I’m not sure where we’ll go, we’ll probably just find a little two-and-a-half-mile handicap somewhere and go from there.

“We’re working back from the National, so we’re trying to keep him to two/two-and-a-half without exposing him too much. Fingers crossed.”

Iroko is a general 25/1 shot for the National, with last season’s winner I A Maximus – also owned by McManus – the 10/1 favourite.