Sussex hopeful Joly Bey is reported to be in good health as he prepares for the Grand National on April 9.

"He is in great form," said Findon trainer Nick Gifford. "And we are looking forward now to Cheltenham where he will run in the three-mile Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase for amateurs in two weeks time."

Joly Bey could hardly have been a more impressive winner at Sandown Park two weeks ago when he was ridden by his owner, 22-year-old David Dunsdon.

His jumping was near perfect and he won without being asked a serious question.

The result is that Joly Bey will carry top weight at Cheltenham but that alone will not prevent him from winning again.

"At Sandown Joly Bey lost a shoe at halfway," said Gifford.

"He probably didn't feel it at the time but when we got him home he limped off the lorry and was sore for two days, so it obviously didn't help him either."

Joly Bey wore a tongue strap for the first time at Sandown and he will be similarly equipped at Cheltenham and at Aintree.

Gifford added: "We do not work him very often at home, it seems to flatten him out rather than inspire him. So he does a lot of cantering which keeps him on his toes.

"Joly Bey is not a stuffy horse, he is clean-winded and more of an athlete and once he's fit and cantering then the occasional pipe-opener are all he needs."

Gifford will also have two runners at Cheltenham in the National Hunt flat race, Wee Robbie and Dusky Lord.

"Dusky Lord was the first horse I bought when I began training, so it would be extra special to win at Cheltenham with him," added Gifford.

"But I will be just as happy if Wee Robbie does it instead."