The Randox Grand National favourite Iroko was a notable omission in the Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday.
Iroko was second to Grey Dawning at Kelso last season en-route to Aintree but instead will warm up at Cheltenham. The Cokoriko gelding was sent off favourite for the Grand National last season, finishing a seven-length fourth to Nick Rockett.
Connections have tailored his campaign toward another tilt to the Aintree spectacle. He was second again in a Graduation Chase at Haydock, two lengths behind the subsequent King George winner. Iroko then belatedly returned to the winners’ enclosure at Ascot, a race he fell at the first in last season.
He skipped Trials Day at Cheltenham this season and looked set to go to Kelso, but connections have opted to change course.
Connections doubly represented in the Ultima
Speaking to the Racing Post, Guerreiro said: “All’s good with him. JP and his team preferred to go to Cheltenham, so he’s going to go there and I’d imagine it’d be for the Ultima.
“He’s already a festival winner and I think he’d have a great chance in it if he went for it. I think Jagwar may go there too, but that’s not been confirmed yet.”
Iroko won the Martin Pipe under Aidan Kelly in 2023, with JP McManus also fielding the second No Ordinary Joe. He backed that up with a third at Aintree in his first foray in Grade 1 company.
Iroko took his form to a new level over fences when recording an impressive chase debut at Warwick. He failed to fire at Cheltenham next time out, though got back on track when second to Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree.
Should he line up in the Ultima, Iroko will carry top-weight off a mark of 157. The last winner to carry top-weight in the Ultima was Un Temps Pour Tout in 2017 for David Pipe. With the weights already set, Iroko’s Ultima performance won’t affect his weight of 11-1 in the Grand National.
The Ultima has often been viewed as a good race for National clues, with Corach Rambler doing the double in 2023.
The Charles Byrnes trained I Started A Joke was also notable omission from Kelso. The Irish raider was pre-race favourite for the Morebattle Hurdle.
Just four line up in the Premier Chase, with Fleur De Lys Chase winner Protektorat a warm favourite. Ain’t That A Shame, Minella Drama and Stolen Silver make up the veteran Kelso quartet.