Joseph O'Brien is looking ahead to Aintree next week where he intends to run Banbridge and Jordans in the feature Randox Grand National.
The 2024 King George VI Chase winner Banbridge is due to carry 11-11 in the four and a quarter-mile contest, rated as he is just 1lb behind top-weight and former winner I Am Maximus, while last year's Mildmay Novices Chase runner-up Jordans is currently number 30 on the list with 10-8 to carry at Aintree.
The trainer said: "Jordans will run, all being well, he's had a good preparation so far, and Banbridge is a potential runner as well. He has other options at Aintree but speaking to Ronnie (Bartlett, owner), and seeing how he's preparing, it's looking like he might turn up in the National.
"Banbridge likes Aintree, he would love a bit of nice weather between now and then and he seems to have taken well to jumping the fences in a morning, but you never know. We'd be hoping he'll run very well."
Drying conditions would also be beneficial to second-season chaser Jordans, according to his trainer.
"When Jordans gets back on better ground he will definitely be better, as well as going up in distance," said O'Brien.
"We had probably hoped to see a little bit more from him the last day in Leopardstown, I think he got a little bit tired, but we think he's come on well from then and we think he's interesting going back to Aintree, the scene of his career-best effort to date.
"It'll be exciting to have two runners in such a prestigious race."
O'Brien's Aintree doesn't start and end with the National pair, with four others also likely to make the journey next week.
"Solness might run in the Topham," he said. "Zeus Power could run in one of the novice hurdles after he had a good run in Cheltenham.
"There's a chance Home By The Lee goes for the stayers' hurdle and Brave Fortune might run in one of the handicap chases."
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