Amberleigh House is set to complete his preparations for the John Smith's Grand National with a run in the next two weeks.
Trainer Ginger McCain has a couple of options in mind for last year's Aintree hero and he is keen to run the 13-year-old soon.
"He's very well and will run in about 10 days to a fortnight's time, maybe at Wetherby, but it will obviously depend on the ground and how the races shape up," said McCain.
Amberleigh House ran five times before the National last year, but despite not having seen much racecourse action, McCain reports his runner is in top form.
"Everything is spot on, in fact I would say at this stage we are probably a shade further forward than we would have expected," he added.
Amberleigh House was one of a record 152 entries for the Aintree showpiece yesterday, with owner JP McManus responsible for no fewer than 19 of them.
The McManus entries are headed by last year's runner-up and ante-post favourite Clan Royal, and he will be aimed at the four-mile-four-furlong race along with First Gold and Le Coudray.
Clan Royal, who is a general 12 to 1 market leader, had a spin over hurdles at Bangor before Christmas, but Jonjo O'Neill's yard has been laid low by a virus since.
McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry, reports him to be well on the way to recovery now though.
"Clan Royal is on course for the race and he's getting back into good form now," he said. "They seem to be coming back at Jonjo's now but we will know a bit more in a week or so."
The Francois Doumen-trained First Gold put up his best performance this season to finish second in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last Saturday.
The first seven home last year could line up again with Lord Atterbury (3rd), 2003 winner Monty's Pass (4th), Spot Thedifference (5th), Smarty (6th) and Ardent Scout (7th) all entered.
Other interesting entries include Silver Birch, who is one of seven for Paul Nicholls, while champion trainer Martin Pipe has 13 engaged.
Bindaree, the Aintree hero of 2002, is the third previous winner entered while the 2003 second and fourth, Supreme Glory and Gunner Welburn are amongst the possible runners - which are up 30 on last year, and top the previous high of 149 in 2003.
ENGLISH GRAND NATIONAL BETTING - William Hill: 12-1 Clan Royal, 14-1 Silver Birch, 20-1 Amberleigh House, Celestial Gold, Grey Abbey, Joly Bey, Lord Atterbury, Royal Auclair, 25-1 Baron Windrush, Colonel Frank, First Gold, Frenchman's Creek, Hedgehunter, Lord of Illusion, Monty's Pass, Ollie Magern, One Knight, Strong Resolve, 33-1 bar.
Paddy Power: 12-1 Clan Royal, 14-1 Silver Birch, 16-1 Amberleigh House, 20-1 Lord Atterbury, 25-1 Celestial Gold, First Gold, Grey Abbey, Hedgehunter, Joly Bey, Timbera, One Knight, Royal Auclair, 28-1 Forest Gunner, Strong Resolve, 33-1 bar.
