Iroko

The Ascot win is worth dwelling on. The trainer's description of it captures Iroko's personality perfectly — he is a horse who takes time to warm up, who needs to grind rather than sparkle. It was only a three-runner field, but the pace quickened sharply up the hill and Iroko had to dig deep, eventually lengthening his stride and getting his head down in the way horses do when they are genuinely trying. That is the kind of win that tells you more than a comfortable stroll in front.

The Grand National, though, is clearly where this horse's story is heading. He ran at Aintree last year and finished fourth — a fine result, but the trainer believes it came a year too soon and on ground that was far too fast for a horse who genuinely needs soft, wet conditions to be at his best. On quicker ground Iroko can be run off his feet, and his jumping suffers as a result. Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr, who has ridden him in 16 of his 20 races and partnered him to 3 wins, said coming out of last year's race that it felt a season too early. That is a telling comment from a rider who knows the horse well.

One number that stands out against all the positives: Iroko has run 10 times in Class 1 races — the very best level of competition — and has yet to win. The Grand National is a Class 1. The team are clearly betting that wet ground, another year of strength and experience, and a horse who already knows the course will change that record. Given everything else this horse has shown, it would be unwise to dismiss the idea.