Gordon Elliott's Escaria Ten is ready for the Randox Grand National after going close in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
The eight-year-old was touched off by just a nose from Ted Walsh's fellow Aintree entrant Any Second Now.
Third to Gold Cup fancy Galvin in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham last year, the McNeill family owned bay was eighth of 18 in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January and Elliott felt he had one last Aintree prep run in him.
"We were delighted, we thought he was absolutely superb," said Iain Turner, racing manager to owners the McNeill family.
"It's thanks to Gordon and his team - we thought after the Thyestes we'd go straight to Aintree, but he thought he could probably take him and give him another run just to bring him forward again.
"He showed the improvement from Gowran and he's come out in absolutely fantastic shape, the next stop is Aintree and we won't be going anywhere in between."
Bobbyjo victor Any Second Now is generally the 10-1 favourite for the National after seeing off further Aintree entrants Escaria Ten, Burrows Saint and Coko Beach.
Escaria Ten is a best-priced 14-1 for Aintree, and Turner added: "The four horses in the race are all entered in the National, it's got that history and of course Bobbyjo is a former National winner himself.
"We've not had that many runs with this horse and that might help bring him forward, get him battle-hardened. We'll see how we go, but we're really happy with him."