Jimmy Moffatt is counting down the days until stable star Highland Lodge lines up in the £1-million Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 9.
Formerly trained by Emma Lavelle, Highland Lodge made the perfect start for new connections in the Betfred Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree in December, staying on strongly to win by two and a quarter lengths.
The 10-year-old, who was allotted 10st 2lb in the big race and should just get in, has not run since and is set to have a racecourse gallop ahead of the Crabbie's Grand National.
Moffatt, who is based in the Lake District, said: "Highland Lodge hasn't missed a beat. His preparation is going very well and we are delighted with him.
"He is exactly where we want him and is due to go for a racecourse gallop in 10 days' time, most likely at Haydock.
"I was happy with the weight. You can't ask for a better weight than bottom weight, especially for a horse that has got previous form around the track and over the fences.
"I think the horse has got plenty of early pace and we will be riding him exactly the same as in the Becher. He will run away with you during the first half mile when you try to canter or work him. That is just his way and he showed that in the Becher.
"I don't see any reason why he won't get the trip. He is a big galloper and just keeps going.
"The ground is likely to be a bit quicker than it was in December but he was fourth in a Hennessy on good ground off a similar mark. He is a good-actioned horse and, providing the ground is just on the easier side, better conditions should help him get the trip.
"I can't wait for the race. I was speaking to Henry Brooke (jockey) at a Cartmel preview night recently and he is the same. We are really looking forward to the challenge."
Irish challenger Vics Canvas was a close fifth behind Highland Lodge in December and warmed up for Aintree by finishing sixth in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase over three miles and a furlong at Fairyhouse on February 20.
The 13-year-old has been a regular in staying handicaps over the last 18 months, with notable efforts including a third to Living Next Door in the 2014 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown and a second to Just A Par in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park last April.
Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: "Vics Canvas came out of the Bobbyjo in great form. He was always going to struggle at the weights and in that ground but we needed to get a run into him.
"I was happy with 10st 6lb (for the Crabbie's Grand National). He is only a small, bonny horse and tends to struggle when he has anything over 11st.
"I thought he ran a cracker in the Becher giving weight away to some younger horses. He is 13 and most of them were eight-year-olds. He ran a bit free and probably paid for that in the closing stages but he jumped great and enjoyed himself. You can't expect a whole lot more from a 13-year-old!
"I think the National trip is his job. He was really coming home strongly at Sandown last year and it was the same when he won the Cork National over three and a half. He wants a real test as he keeps galloping."
Highland Lodge is a 50/1 chance with Betfred, official betting partner of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival, while Vics Canvas is a 66/1 shot.
The world's greatest chase, which takes place over 30 fences and four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards, has new off time of 5.15pm. A maximum of 40 runners can take part.
The next scratchings' deadline is on Tuesday, March 22.
The 2015 Crabbie's Grand National hero Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood) continues his build-up to this year's race in the rearranged Premier Chase at Kelso this afternoon. His seven rivals include fellow Aintree contenders Unioniste (Paul Nicholls) and Maggio (Patrick Griffin IRE).
