Captains Run flew under the radar in last year’s Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) and nearly caused a big upset, and he is heading into Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) with a goal of going one better.

Dan O’Leary, who bred, owns and prepares Captains Run out of Marton, has quietly built the gelding’s fitness up during the jumps season this year, with a closing third behind West Coast and Country Bumpkin in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) last weekend setting him well to contest the iconic feature at Riccarton Park.

“He didn’t jump that well in the Koral and didn’t travel that well on the day, so I’m hoping that run will improve him for the second day,” O’Leary said.

“Hopefully he can settle and jump better, meaning he’ll be able to finish the race off a bit stronger.

“He’s a horse that generally doesn’t do much early, he likes to lull around at the back at the field and click up as he goes so I’m thinking the distance won’t be a problem for him.”

The son of Nom De Jeu got within a short neck of West Coast in the Northern and the latter is currently a $1.45 favourite to collect a third-straight Grand National crown, while Captains Run is among the key dangers rated at $6, just ahead of Country Bumpkin ($7).

The latter pair, along with the remainder of the field will have a seven-kilogram weight swing on West Coast, however that has been the reality in majority of the gelding’s prestige victories to date.

O’Leary got on the board early during National Week winning the maiden hurdle contest with stablemate Zac Flash, who will back up in the Michael ‘Mickey’ Beecroft Memorial 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m) with Joshua Parker retaining the ride.

“He’s come through it (the race) well and he’s competing against a stronger field this Saturday, but we hope he can go another good race,” O’Leary said.

“It’ll be a bonus really if he can be amongst them, it’s good to get a line on how good he is as well.”

After an emphatic return to racing after nearly two years away from the track, O’Leary’s Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) winner Te Kahu will likely be targeted at the Great Northern Steeplechase in September, a race he won back in 2021.

“We’re hoping to get him ready for the Northern, but we’ll see how it goes,” O’Leary said.