Monday 2 March 2015 15:04, UK
All roads for Night In Milan now lead to Aintree and the Crabbie's Grand National after he finished third in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.
Keith Reveley's stable star was attempting to win the race for a second successive year but found life a little tougher off a much higher handicap mark.
Night In Milan still ran his race, though, finishing 11 lengths behind surprise winner Wayward Prince.
"He's come out of it grand, no cuts or anything, so it's straight to the National now," said the Saltburn handler.
"The winner was a very good horse a few years ago and had plummeted down the weights.
"He was just too well handicapped for us, but we ran our race.
"He's proved in his last two races he doesn't have to make all of the running now, and that is crucial because that would be very hard to do in a National.
"You can't make all (of the running) off top weight in staying chases, at least it is very hard to do, so we've changed tactics slightly.
"Anything can happen in a National. He actually made a bit of a mistake at the first on Saturday because when you drop him in he can lose a bit of concentration, and that will be out biggest worry on the second circuit.
"If he's still there on the second circuit and can get into a rhythm and find a bit of space he'll definitely keep galloping."
