Scottish Grand National: Four-mile trip takes Sheppard’s in-form Ikorodu Road into new territory

“I’ve been very pleased with his preparation since Newbury. I’m very confident that four miles and one furlong will be his trip,” he said. “We’ve never had to go that far with him before but he’s got to be in with a live shout. We are still unproven over four miles so I think we are ahead of the handicapper for the trip we are going to go over.”

Knockara Beau was a respectable sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and his trainer George Charlton is expecting another sound performance.

“He’s very well, we’re looking forward to running him and we think he’ll stay the four miles. Everything seems to be in good order,” said the Northumberland trainer. “He ran a nice race to get sixth in the Gold Cup. He got in the prize money which was the plan. I thought he might have got a bit closer, but it was good enough.

“They will be going a couple of gears slower than in the Gold Cup. I’m hoping he’ll tick away in the early stages, then get in the race and have plenty left at the finish.”

Connections of dual course winner Garleton feel the 11-year-old can put up a good show. “Maurice [Barnes] won the race [on Quick Reply in 1972] when he was riding, so he knows what type of horse is needed,” said the trainer’s wife, Ann. “We hope he runs well. Alexander [Voy] rides him well and we just have to hope he can run a good race and come back safe and sound.”

Any Currency goes for glory north of the Border after just failing to make the cut for the John Smith’s Grand National. Martin Keighley’s nine-year-old was first reserve for Aintree last Saturday but did not get to take his chance. “He’s in great form and goes there a fresh horse whereas a lot of the others have had a busy time,” said Keighley. “He’s in great nick, I couldn’t be happier with him and he’ll love the four miles. I’d be hopeful of a big run. This race was always the fall back if he didn’t get in at Aintree.”

Gary Moore expects Fruity O’Rooney to run his usually solid race after he put up a typically game performance when second to Alfie Sherrin at the Cheltenham Festival.

“He ran a great race at Cheltenham and he seems happier going left-handed which is why we have taken this race in,” said the West Sussex trainer.

“We could have gone back there the other day but this is a fantastic pot and I’m highly-delighted to see Junior runs to keep the weights down.”

The extra distance is also unchartered territory for Walkon, but his trainer Alan King is keen to give the RSA Chase fifth the opportunity to prove his stamina.

“We are obviously going into the unknown trip-wise, but we have always thought that Walkon wanted a step up in distance, so it is worth a try,” the Barbury Castle-based handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

“He ran well for a long way at Cheltenham, and he came out of that race fine.”

Connections of Benny Be Good are pleased to see Junior take his chance and are happy that the handicapper has lowered the Keith Reveley-trained nine-year-old in the ratings recently. “I hope he’s got a good chance. He’s quite a big price in the betting, but this has been his target for a long time,” the trainer’s son and jockey, James Reveley, told At The Races. “I’m quite happy the handicapper has dropped him a few pounds for his last two runs. He ran well, but he was struggling to compete a little bit off that mark. Hopefully he’s dropped to a winnable mark.

“At least he’s not got top weight. We were hoping something would stop in and I’m glad Junior’s stayed in to keep the weight down a bit for him.”