ROK TICKS CLOCK BOX

John Anthony weighs up speed impact on the safety-first Aintree highlight

GIVEN that the changes to the fences have made the great race nothing more than a long-distance handicap chase, speed figures can come into play for the Grand National.

It’s a shame that many of our top clockers are low in the weights and are unlikely to get a run. The one near the top of the speed figures who is definitely aiming for Aintree is IROKO.

It’s been clear for a while that the National has been the target and he had a lovely quiet spin around Cheltenham in January before another good run when second at Kelso last time.

That was over an inadequate three miles and the longer distance of the National should bring him right into the reckoning with what should be a lovely racing weight of 10st 11lb.