The cheque is in the post, made out to Nick Gifford, trainer.

Skycab was 79th on the list when the weights for the Grand National were published two months ago.

I bet Gifford his horse would not make it for tomorrow's big race at Aintree. I was sure his entry fee would be returned for a second year because the maxium field is 40, with four reserves.

But I paid up yesterday when Skycab was declared a runner and reckon he has an outsider's chance of finishing in the first four.

Gifford, who is based at Downs Stable in Findon, believes Skycab can emulate Brave Highlander, who was trained by his father Josh and enjoyed the Aintree fences.

Nick said: "I always felt he would get a run this time. Brave Highlander did so well for my dad in three or four Nationals.

"Like Highlander, Skycab is a very experienced horse who jumps safely without being spectacular which is what you need for the big fences at Aintree."

Skycab's form this season has not been notable but his trainer insisted he comes to his best at this time of year.

Gifford said: "He is a Spring horse. He won twice in a fortnight at this time a year ago. Also, he tends to race up with the leaders and with luck he will keep out of trouble.

"I think Skycab will enjoy it. He hasn't shown anything like his form this season and I'm just hoping that these big fences will bring him to life because he jumps like a buck normally."

On the schooling ground at Downs Stables, Nick and Josh have dressed up a couple of the fences with pine branches to recreate what Aintree will be like.

Skycab and Joly Bey (due to run in today's Topham Trophy round one circuit of the National course) jumped the fences several times last week and big race rider Leighton Aspell gave the thumbs up to the exercise.

Aspell said: "Skycab was no problem at all, he is a decent jumper and, although he has been a bit below form this season, the strange fences and change in surroundings will wake him up and bring out the best in him."

Josh Gifford, who handed over his training licence to Nick last year, likens Skycab to previous National winners like Red Rum and Specify, rather than Brave Highlander.

He said: "If he gets over the first fence okay, he will see what it's all about and from then on he will look after himself. He will be clever and careful and, as he is now 12, has got enough experience behind him to meet any eventuality."

Aspell rode Welsh National winner Supreme Glory in the Aintree race last year and finished a 12-length second to Monty's Pass.

Like Philip Hide, who did so well for the Giffords at Aintree on Brave Highlander, Aspell is a gifted horseman and Skycab will have maximum support from his rider, who is aiming to go one better this time.

Gifford's second-string, Silver Streak, was pulled out of the National yesterday.

He said: "He bled this morning. He came back fine from first lot and then half an hour to 45 minutes later there was blood coming out of one nostril. So he's not going, I'm afraid.

"It was a surprise he got in anyway but the owners were keen to go."