Trainer Oliver Greenall believes Iroko has what it takes to win the Grand National after scoping well since the Cheltenham Festival.
The eight-year-old horse, who is trained by Greenall and Josh Guerriero, scoped dirty at Cheltenham as he finished a disappointing 10th in the Ultima Handicap Chase after going off as the second favourite.
Iroko had been the favourite for the Grand National prior to the race but his Cheltenham performance has seen him drift in the betting, with former winner I Am Maximus usurping him as the market leader.
After finishing fourth in last year's race, wind surgery in October was followed by strong displays at Haydock and Ascot.
Greenall is optimistic that the performance at Cheltenham was a minor blip and he believes the horse is in a better position to win this year's renewal.
"We've been scoping after every piece of work since Cheltenham and he's in great form. Since then he's showed no signs of illness," said Greenall.
"He did his last piece of work on Saturday and it all went well. It's now about keeping him ticking over this week.
"If Iroko had placed at Cheltenham he would have been a lot shorter and probably would have been favourite.
"It obviously just puts that little bit of doubt in your mind. He ran two great races at Haydock and Ascot, obviously it was a disappointing run at Cheltenham but were confident that it was just an off day and he's been right as rain since.
"Since his wind op he seems to be travelling through his races a lot better. I think he can hold his position better now with that experience under his belt. The Cheltenham run was the first time he's really ran like that so its obviously always a bit of a worry going into a high-class handicap."
Iroko will be up against several top-class horses at Aintree and Greenall is under no illusions that he will have to overcome some powerhouses.
The unpredictable nature of the race remains but the trainer thinks there is one horse that will be particularly hard to beat.
"There’s loads of rivals out there, its such a competitive handicap and some horses are going to go under the radar.
"I think Grangeclare West will do well, he's obviously finished ahead of Iroko and he looks like he’s improved as well.
"He’s probably going to be very hard to beat on the day, but there are plenty of horses in contention."
The Grand National remains the pinnacle for the Greenall/Guerriero camp and Greenall admits there are nerves around as they look to fulfil a lifetime dream.
Greenall has fond memories of past Grand National winners and he relishing the prospect of Iroko joining an elite club.
It would be a real lifetime achievement, it’s the one race where if I was to pick any I would love to win then its this one.
"Obviously you need a lot of luck to win a Grand National, it’s a high-class handicap and everyone will think they have got a chance.
"I look at back at some of the first Grand Nationals I went to, you’ve got the likes of Many Clouds and Hedgehunter. You’ve got the recent greats like Tiger Roll. There’s Neptune Collonges too, they become household names, it would be special to be amongst those.
"Iroko has a good following, he's a really likeable tough horse that people have latched onto. If either Iroko or Jagwar won the race they would be remembered for a long time.
"Josh is more hands on being on the yard day-to-day so he’s probably more nervous than me to get them there in one piece and on top form. Were both very excited ahead of the race."
