Iroko team plot route back to Grand National as JP McManus ace cut to 8-1 for Aintree after smooth success

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

Iroko shortened to single-figure odds for the Grand National after a professional performance in the three-runner 2m5f graduation chase.

The sole British runner got as far as the first obstacle in this contest last year but righted that wrong this time, sitting behind Firefox for much of the race before launching a powerful attack at the final fence under Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

He flew it and stormed away to score by four and three-quarter lengths, with bookmakers cutting him to 8-1 (from 10) favourite for the Aintree contest in which he finished fourth behind Nick Rockett last year.

Grand National latest odds

• bet365:  8 Iroko, 16 Captain Cody, Haiti Couleurs, 20 I Am Maximus, 25 Nick Rockett, Mr Vango, Myretown, 33 bar

"He just needed to go and actually have a race today," joint-trainer Oliver Greenall said. "I know it was only a three-runner field but they quickened fairly up the hill and he really had to grind it out. He just takes time to get into gear. It was good to see him lengthen and get his head down – it was good and he's done well."

Greenall, who trains the Cheltenham Festival winner alongside Josh Guerriero, was quick to commit to a familiar plan.

He said: "We might go back to Kelso, where he was second to Grey Dawning last year. It's two miles seven [furlongs] and a nice track and not many runners go there. Then we'll probably miss Cheltenham and go straight to the Grand National. 

"Trainers always say horses have strengthened up, but he seems a lot better this year. Jonjo comes and rides him out and he says so."

It was a first success for the seven-year-old since he landed a novice chase at Warwick more than two years ago.

Analysis: rise in handicap not ideal but Iroko may have more to offer

Iroko posted an encouraging return behind King George-bound The Jukebox Man a month ago and built on that, impressing with how he put this to bed on the run-in.

The runner-up didn’t look to get home but the handicapper will still be making an adjustment, with my guess being in the region of 6lb. That’s clearly not ideal for Aintree but he could well have more to offer this term and was rightly shortened in the ante-post markets, now a clear 8-1 favourite.

It will be interesting to see how he preps for the big one in April. He used the Premier Chase at Kelso last term and, while that race on February 28 would be a logical stepping stone again, don’t be surprised if he appears among the Gold Cup entries early next year too.

Richard Russell, race analyst

Skelton hails 'phenomenal' ride

Dan Skelton heaped praise on his brother Harry after Etalon made most of the running for a dominant success in the 2m3f handicap chase.

The eight-year-old was sent off 18-1 after finishing well beaten at Newbury last month, but looked a transformed animal when allowed to attack from the front and he kept finding to repel Scarface and Issam by two and a half lengths. 

Etalon: an all-the-way winner of the 2m3f handicap chase under Harry SkeltonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"Everyone credits lots of other jockeys and Harry doesn't get half the credit he deserves," Skelton said. "He had no right winning today whatsoever. It was an absolute phenomenal ride – as good a ride as you'll ever see.

"Out the gate, he was hard over the first few and then he got left alone and he could dictate it the whole way. He had a bit of a fill-up down at Swinley Bottom and the other horse couldn't go with him, everything else has had to work to get within touching distance."

Etalon was winning off a career-high mark of 140 and Dan Skelton warned it would be a long time before he expects him to grace the winner's enclosure again.

He said: "You might as well retire the horse – he won't win for another ten runs at least because the handicapper is going to put him up."

Cave digs deep for Williams team

On a day when families came to the fore, Christian Williams and his partner Charlotte had a daughter on each hip after Deep Cave's triumph in the Silver Cup.

"We try and appreciate days like this now, which we probably didn't three or four years ago," said Williams, whose daughter Betsy completed her cancer treatment for leukaemia in May. "When the family come racing with us now it's a special day and to get a winner makes it even better."

Deep Cave (left): stayed on dourly to land the Silver Cup under Jack TudorCredit: Edward Whitaker

Deep Cave left it late, staying on relentlessly on the inside rail under Jack Tudor to pip Leave Of Absence by a head.

"We're trying to work back from the Grand National and we might not get in, but there's no rush with him as he's a young horse," Williams said. "Jack said he looked a bit cold and jumped a bit big over the first three before warming into it and he probably lacked a bit of experience early on. He produced him at the right time."

The yard specialises in staying handicap chases and saddled Kitty's Light to finish fifth at Aintree in 2024. Deep Cave was introduced in the betting at 40-1.  

Read more:

Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File among nine confirmed for King George showdown - plus find out Sir Gino's potential Christmas Hurdle rivals 

'He's in the form of his life' - family stable flying and looking for Christmas cheer with leading Welsh National hope 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.