Nick Gifford hopes a £240,000 Grand National dream comes true tomorrow.

Gifford has spent every moment since Joly Bey was bought as a 21st birthday present for David Dunsdon two years ago preparing the horse to peak for the 158th running of the Aintree classic.

The Findon trainer is convinced the French-bred eight-year-old can be a National winner.

Joly Bey, one of the favourites, was bought by John Dunsdon for his son at the Doncaster Sales in May 2003 who immediately turned him over to Gifford.

His son, David, will ride Joly Bey tomorrow.

Gifford said: "I had seen the horse jump and win on television but when I saw him in the flesh he took my breath away.

"He is a good looking horse, very athletic and loose limbed. He stands out in crowd.

"He ticks every box as a potential Grand National winner."

Gifford has been well groomed in spotting what it takes to succeed in the toughest handicap race of them all.

His father, the legendary Josh, trained Aldaniti to an emotional Grand National success in 1981 and saddled Brave Highlander to fourth, fifth and seventh in recent years.

Gifford, who took over Josh's licence two years ago, said: "First and foremost the horse has to be a natural jumper.

"It is a hell of an ask to go over 30 jumps, many of which have huge ditches which makes them twice as big as anything else around.

"The horse must be able to travel. Four-and-a-half miles is a long way and many won't stay the trip.

"You don't want a horse too highly strung because he will boil over. If he is too keen and gallops too fast he will never make the trip and will end up in a heap. You want a horse that settles, jumps and stays.

"Joly Bey can do all three but he needs to be lucky too.

"A lot of the fences are the width of the track, including Bechers Brook and the Canal Turn, and loose horses can cause chaos with nowhere to go."

A 60,000 crowd at Aintree will be a test of concentration and character for Joly Bey that goes beyond the powers of the trainer.

Gifford said: "Even in the parade ring you have got 39 other horses walking round and an enormous crowd.

"The grandstands are packed and the horses must parade in front of them and come back again.

"Then they mill around at the start for ten minutes. The noise and atmosphere can get to some horses because they have never experienced anything like it.

"We hope Joly Bey doesn't get too wound up and sweats up. The horse must be relaxed."

Gifford is encouraged by Joly Bey's reaction to his only previous Aintree visit for the Topham Trophy last year.

He said: "Joly Bey made one mistake at the fourth or fifth last when going well and came down but the occasion didn't get to him. The experience will have done him good and the fall hasn't dented his confidence. He has jumped beautifully since."

Joly Bey was today being transported to Haydock racecourse, just 30 minutes away from Liverpool, "for a canter and quiet night."

Gifford hopes the going is not too soft. He said: "If I can get him there as I want to and he gets a clear round, he won't be far away."