JP McManus has already let slip his Aintree thoughts – 'He's my Grand National horse'

Owner JP McManus holds an unfathomably strong hand ahead of this year's Grand National, but one gelding, in particular, is the apple of his Aintree eye.

The omnipresent McManus is the most notable National Hunt owner around. From the great Istabraq to March's Gold Cup winner, Inothewayurthinkin, the slew of iconic horses that the Limerick-born stalwart has possessed is endless.

Having tasted National glory for the third time last year with the Paul Townend-steeredI Am Maximus, the green and gold hoops again have a relative stranglehold on the four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong affair. However, after a worthy effort at this meeting 12 months ago, it is seven-year-old Iroko who McManus labelled as 'his National horse.'

The gelding switched hands in 2021 after some notable runs in France and was placed under the stewardship of handling duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero by McManus. His first run came in a juvenile hurdle at Chepstow, where he placed fourth.

However, things soon picked up. The son of Cokoriko landed a hat trick at the Cheltenham Festival in early 2023 and, a year later, was thrown into the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree, having run in the Turners Novices' Chase in the Cotswolds the previous month.

It was in this contest that Iroko finished a valiant runner-up to eventual Gold Cup champ Inothewayurthinkin, and after the blow, McManus made it clear to the gelding's handlers where he'd be aimed.

"It's crazy how it has panned out [the Mildmay form]," trainer Guerriero told the Racing Post. "JP said as soon as he walked back in the winner's enclosure at Aintree that he [Iroko] is my National horse for next year, so from then on, we have had our target on the race.

"He missed most of his novice season over fences, but he's consequently quite unexposed. We're very hopeful the extended trip will suit him. All his best work is at the end of his races, and we wouldn't have any doubt he will enjoy the step up in distance."

Iroko is one of five McManus-owned horses guaranteed a run in the National - many of whom sit at the market's summit. Last year's winner, I Am Maximus, has been favoured by some to repeat in the hands of Willie Mullins - the last horse to do so being Tiger Roll in 2019.

Perceval Legallois, trained by Gold Cup-winning handler Gavin Cromwell, will have Mark Walsh on board in an attempt to do that historic double, and Meetingofthewaters is another at the top of the market, eager to make his mark under Mullins. Chantry House, trained by Nicky Henderson, rounds off the list as a relative outsider.

Yet, despite all of these contenders, McManus highlighted Iroko at this meeting 12 months ago, and his handlers couldn't have been happier with his 'perfect' last run - a second-place finish in the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso in March.

"He's come out of it very well. He seems fresh and well," said Guerriero. "I think it was actually good that he didn't get in too much of a battle with Grey Dawning, and it was probably the perfect prep run.

"It was probably his best performance on paper - Grey Dawning is a very good horse - and he's obviously enjoyed it, and he's gone a fair gallop. It was a quick time, so we were delighted. He looked good, and he's come back fresh and well."