Iroko team excited to face National challenge

“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 22 and provided all that goes smoothly then it’s straight to .

“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 (McManus), which is incredible, and we’re just looking forward to it now. Just getting him there is the key.

“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.”

“Inothewayurthinkin is on 160 which is the same as his mark in Ireland. I wouldn’t say he is a certain runner at this stage and we will look at other options for him, including the Bowl at . He will also get an entry in the Irish National as well.

“Limerick Lace was running a good race last year before she made a mistake, which effectively ended her chance (finished 10th). She has just been entered for the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham again (which she won in 2024) and there is a chance she could go there and on to Aintree again. I am hoping that she is a spring horse as her two runs this season have not seen her at her best.

“Perceval Legallois I would say is a likely runner at this stage and I think we’ll be missing Cheltenham with him. He won the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and then a Listed handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival so is in really good form.

“Both Stumptown and Vanillier could go to the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham and then we can see about the National, but both horses could go for both races.”

“It’s top-weight (for I Am Maximus) and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough. He’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo and we’ll see how he is.

“I was very pleased with Grangeclare West’s run in the Irish Gold Cup and if he can put in a performance like that (he must have a chance). However, he paid the penalty by being raised in the weights so it’s going to be tougher, but he might take his chance in the National.

“I thought Nick Rockett was very good winning the Thyestes and that’s always a very good pointer towards the National, so hopefully he’ll take up the engagement.

“Appreciate It showed a nice change of form on nice ground in Thurles to win. Aintree ground is usually lovely so he has his chance and plenty of 11-year-olds have won in the recent past.

“Capodanno was running a good race last year (finished 16th). The handicapper’s given him a chance and he jumps those fences no problem so I’m happy enough.

“Minella Cocooner (11st 2lb) jumps well. He won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last year. It’s going to be a tough assignment to win another big handicap within the calendar year but he’ll take his chance.

“I think Meetingofthewaters (10st 7lb) has a lovely weight. He ran very well last year (finished seventh) and I think my eye was drawn to him when I saw his weight. He’s one I like.”

“It’s nice they’re all in (the top 34). Obviously we’ll see what will go there. At the moment Envoi’s heading for the Ryanair Chase and Monty’s Star is heading for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Minella Indo is aiming for the National and Senior Chief is aiming for there as well.

“Envoi Allen seems well and Monty’s Star is in great form too. He has come out of his last race well.

“Minella Indo ran really well last year (finished third), which was brilliant. He’s come out of the Boyne Hurdle in Navan the other day OK. He ran well and Rachael (Blackmore, jockey) was happy. He might have got a bit tired in the ground but he ran well.

“He’s got a great attitude. He’s an amazing horse, he’s been brilliant over the years and he’s a great man. We’re delighted with him.

“Senior Chief ran great at Cheltenham (when winning at The Showcase Meeting in October). We were a bit disappointed with him in the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup at Newbury) but he seems in good form again now, so we’ll definitely aim him at the National.”

“Great! That’s wonderful. I think we’ve got two nice weights, so I’m very happy.

“Beauport is very good and he’s running at Haydock Park on Saturday (in the WKD Rendlesham Hurdle), so he seems in really good form. He’s very different to Earth Summit and Bindaree (previous winners) but he’s a lovely horse, a good stayer and a great stamp of a horse so we should be good.

“Broadway Boy is in good form and the National is his intended target. He won’t run at Haydock on Saturday, he will run at Cheltenham in the Ultima.

“We’ve been incredibly lucky in the past and a third success would be lovely.”

“That’s fair enough. He was (rated) 151 over here so why should he be any different over there? I’d be quite happy with that.

“We’re hoping to get serious now as we get a bit closer. He’ll have another run – all being well he’ll run again, not this weekend but the next weekend at Fairyhouse.

“It was a great performance to win the Irish Grand National last year and if we can get him back to that I’d be very happy.”