Iroko was set for a run at Kelso on Saturday in the Premier Chase but will now be heading to Cheltenham to prepare for the Grand National.Owner JP McManus, whose horses adorn the green and gold hooped silks, decided a Cheltenham Festival run would be better than the run at Kelso, like he did last year.Owner JP McManus (middle) pictured holding the Gold Cup, knows how to plot a route for these big racesGettyThe gelding trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero is the current favourite at around 7’s for the greatest jumps race in the world at Aintree in April.Connections will be hoping Iroko can improve on his 4th placed finish at the Grand National last year.And the route to this year’s Aintree feature race is being planned meticulously to aim for just that.The talented eight-year-old was also favourite for the race last year but will be running off a slightly higher weight.After beating Firefox at Ascot in December over 2m5f before heading into the Ultima at Cheltenham Festival next month.Iroko placed behind Gold Cup contender and the Harry Redknapp-owned The Jukebox Man at Haydock in his seasonal debut.This is a popular route for Grand National runners and one that Corach Rambler famously took in 2023 when winning both races as favourite in spectacular fashion.Guerriero said: “All’s good with him. JP and his team preferred to go to Cheltenham, so he’s going to go there, and I’d imagine it’d be for the Ultima. “He’s already a festival winner and I think he’d have a great chance in it if he went for it. I think Jagwar may go there too, but that’s not been confirmed yet.”Iroko could be joined in the Ultima by stablemate Jagwar, also owned by McManus, who has an entry in that race as well as the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.Cheltenham Festival tipsBest Ante-post bets for Cheltenham Festival 2026Horses to watch in 2025/26 jumps seasonClaim over £500 in Cheltenham Festival free bet offers for this year’s meeting and see the best horse racing betting sitestalkSPORT BET Boosted Favourites30 minutes before the start of every UK & IRE race, we are boosting either the favourite or 2nd fav to win!Get the latest price boosts here18+. Bet on a Price Boost market for specific horse race & if your selection wins, we’ll pay out at the boosted odds. Max benefit applies. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.orgtalkSPORT BET Betting Offer – Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets! – CLAIM HERE*Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.orgRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.*18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 30 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.Most read in Horse RacingHorse racing tips for Saturday: Picks for Kelso, Newbury and SouthwellGold Cup-winning trainer reveals horse he'd love to train for Cheltenham Festival featureFriday horse racing tips: Best bets at Newbury and Doncaster from Tom LunnCheltenham Ante Post betting tips: Three selections for the Cheltenham FestivalMan Utd legend Bryan Robson reveals why Sir Alex Ferguson banned him for horse racingNicky Henderson delivers 'sad' Cheltenham Festival Constitution Hill decision