ALCESTER trainer Dan Skelton is set to saddle his first runner in the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday.

Skelton will be represented by nine-year-old gelding Virgilio in the world famous £1-million contest over four-and-a-quarter miles and 30 fences (5.15pm start).

The son of Denham Red has a 50 per cent strike rate over the regulation fences at the Liverpool track but is a general 66/1 shot to land the 171st running of the historic race.

His last win came in the Neil Sutherland Memorial Handicap Chase over 3m 1f at Aintree in May last year. He disappointed on two runs this term but has undergone wind surgery since and has been freshened up for a tilt at glory this weekend.

Tom Messenger, Skelton's assistant trainer at Lodge Hill, has been pleased with Virgilio's preparations ahead of the big day.

He said: "All being well he'll take his chance and hopefully conditions will dry out a little over the next few days as well.

"Even though he hasn't competed over the National fences he does like Aintree and tends to come into form at this time of year.

"Even though he's won over three miles we're still going into unknown territory with the distance. He is an outsider but he's had a break since his last run and does go well fresh.

"He seems to be peaking at just the right time at home.

"We jumped him over a some mock National fences and he took to them well."