Peter Niven travels to Navan tomorrow to get to know his prospective mount in the Martell Grand National.
He bypasses racing in Britain to ride the Tony Martin-trained Hollybank Buck in the Navan Commercials Truck Importers Chase as preparation for the big race at Aintree a fortnight tomorrow.
The jockey said today: "He's due to run in the National and if I was going to ride him at Aintree they want me to have a sit on him tomorrow.
"He's been over a here a good few times _ he ran well in the Becher Chase _ so I thought he wouldn't be a bad ride in the National."
Hollybank Buck, who will be blinkered for the first time at Navan, won the Tote Eider Chase at Newcastle last season over four miles one furlong but runs over two and a half miles tomorrow.
"It's way too short for him but they just want to see his well-being," Niven added.
Hollybank Buck is quoted at 40-1 for the Grand National by Ladbrokes.
Among his five rivals will be Danoli, who is using the race as preparation for the Heineken Gold Cup at next month's Punchestown Festival.
The 12-year-old has been brought along steadily this season and missed Cheltenham, having finished second to His Song over two miles at Naas in February.
Trainer Tom Foley said: "We're quite happy with him, he's coming along nicely and Punchestown is what we've got in mind for him.
"We hope that we just have him right coming up to Punchestown but he's fit enough to do himself justice tomorrow.
"The trip will suit him better and Navan is a tough track so we're hopeful."
