He never won the world’s most famous steeplechase and the closest he came was when he was second past the post on Cahervillahow in the infamous void National 16 years ago.

It would be a remarkable training performance if he could produce Offshore Account to win the National with just one prep race after the gelding had 15 months on the sidelines.

“He was out for a year with a leg injury. He had a slight tendon injury then about a month or two ago a splint came up,” said Swan.

“That delayed us for a little bit and he ran three weeks ago and finished second in a hurdle race in Naas.

“Obviously I would have liked to have run him a chase but I didn’t get the chance. He’s schooling nicely at home over National-type fences and he is a good jumper. He’s jumped really well over the fences we’ve had built for him.

“He’s won on a Grade One on good ground at Punchestown. He’s a half-brother to The Listener, he’s in good order and I’m very happy with him.

“If he jumps well and gets a clear passage he’d definitely have a chance.”

Black Apalachi was Dessie Hughes' belated first National runner last year only to fall at the second fence.

The horse made amends with a cavalier display of jumping to win the Becher Chase over the unique obstacles in November.

Now Hughes would like to see rain fall ahead of the big race to improve Black Apalachi’s chances even more.

“He’s fine, but we would like some rain,” said the Kildare trainer.

“It’s supposed to rain on Saturday, whether it comes before or after racing we’re not sure. It might come after racing, but it would suit us if it rained.

“He’s still got a lot of plusses. You have to like it there or they won’t run any sort of a race. They’ll make sure the ground is safe, they have to nowadays.”

Cloudy Lane was sixth last year for Donald McCain and the Cholmondeley trainer, who also saddles Idle Talk, believes the former is the forgotten horse of the race.

He was sent off the 7-1 joint-favourite in 2008 with eventual winner Comply Or Die yet is about 40-1 this time.

“I’m delighted with both of them,” said the Cholmondeley trainer.

“Cloudy Lane is a huge price and has basically been forgotten about. He’s got top weight as he’s the best horse in the race.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win, it’s going to be very tough, but he’s had a great year, he’s improved all year and he’s coming here in great order.”

McCain, whose father Ginger won a record four Nationals with Red Rum (three) and Amberleigh House, is also sweet on Idle Talk.

“This has been his target all year,” he went on.

“We ran him in the Becher and he ran a really nice race despite the ground being horrendous which couldn’t have been more against him.

“Since then we’ve targeted Aintree and the National. He’s a good horse, he’s been placed in a Scottish National and was second in the SunAlliance Chase.”

David Pipe also reports Comply Or Die to be in good shape as he attempts to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973 and ’74 to win back-to-back Nationals.

“He’s in great form for Saturday. He did his last piece of work on Thursday morning and we’re looking forward to it,” said the Nicholashayne trainer.