Nigel Twiston-Davies reports Blacklion to be ready to shine in the Randox Health Grand National following a wind operation.
Fourth in the race last year and an impressive winner of the Becher Chase over the big fences this term, the 10/1 joint-favourite with Sky Bet (non-runner/no bet and Best Odds Guaranteed) is set to be joined in the field on Saturday week by stablemates Double Ross (66/1), Splash Of Ginge (50/1) and Cogry (66/1). He will be ridden by the trainer's son Sam.
Blaklion could not lay a glove on mudlark Yala Enki on his latest start in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but the trainer believes the most stamina-draining ground he had ever encountered at the Ashton-In-Makerfield course contributed to that reverse.
He explained: "The ground was horrible and after that race Blaklion was very tired, although we didn't locate the wind problem until after he came back.
"We sent him to Ben Brain, who is based just up the road at Bourton-On-The-Water, where he galloped with an overground scope attached to his throat. Ben said he could improve him by cauterizing his soft palate and that's what happened.
"I'm certain it will be good, fresh ground up there. It was officially heavy for the Becher Chase and you saw how much he enjoyed that. And they haven't had the same level of rain at Aintree that we have."
The selective campaign afforded to Blaklion this season has been intentional and the National will be only his fourth outing.
Twiston-Davies continued: "I have tried to protect his mark, and the new handicap system has also helped him as its more compressed.
"The National has always been the one goal. We were very excited when he went for home last year, he probably went too soon, but it was nevertheless a good effort and demonstrated how much he enjoys Aintree and the fences there. We rode him with more restraint in the Becher Chase and that day the further he went, the better he looked."
After that race the Gold Cup was under consideration and the trainer said: "He's a former RSA Chase winner that has run well in conditions chases and has the class to do himself justice in a Gold Cup, but after his operation that was out of the question, although hopefully he might go for it next year."
With two Grand National triumphs on his CV through Earth Summit and Bindaree, Twiston-Davies is entitled to hold Aintree dear to his heart and he observed: "It is by far my preferred meeting in the calendar. Aintree is Aintree and everyone is more relaxed."
Twiston-Davies reports veteran Double Ross in very good form for a third tilt at the National, the chestnut having come out of his fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham with all guns blazing.
He said: "Double Ross is 13 now and a good old faithful. He was running really well in the 2016 National, jumping beautifully until his saddle slipped at the Canal Turn.
"Two years on he doesn't have the obvious touch of class as before, but the way he kept on up the hill at Cheltenham last month suggests that as he's got older he's staying better."
Jamie Bargary will partner either Double Ross or Splash Of Ginge, and Twiston-Davies went on: "Splash Of Ginge ran his heart out for Jamie in the old Mildmay of Flete at Cheltenham and is capable of holding his own wherever he goes.
"We've got our fingers crossed that he gets in as he's in very good form. He's been to Aintree for each of the past three seasons, but this would be his first run in the National.
"Cogry won a nice race at Cheltenham earlier in the season and stays forever. He has pleased us since his run at the Festival and we have to hope he gets in."
Elsewhere at the big meeting, Wholestone in the Aintree equivalent of the Stayers' Hurdle is an eyecatching runner, while The New One has options over two miles and five furlongs or over three in the same race as his stablemate.
Bristol De Mai, one-time favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is another team member with obvious chances.
Twiston-Davies said: "Wholestone should run very well. He won't have the Irish horses that beat him at Cheltenham to worry about, as they tend to stay at home for Punchestown. Bristol De Mai has had the same wind op as Blaklion and will go for the Betway Bowl."