Kim Bailey has identified the Sky Bet Chase or the BetBright Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster as the preferred prep races for The Last Samuri ahead of his Crabbie's Grand National bid.
It will be one or the other for the eight-year-old before he heads to Aintree and aims to give Bailey a second win in the famous race after the success of Mr Frisk in 1990.
After a promising first run for his new yard, when third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle behind Wakanda, who has since franked the form, The Last Samuri won at Kempton's Christmas meeting.
"He's a bit ground dependent in that he doesn't want it too soft," said Bailey.
"I've put him in the Sky Bet Chase and the other option is the Grimthorpe, also at Doncaster.
"He'll have just the one run between now and the National.
"He's got a mark high enough to get him in the race so it's all about getting him right for Aintree.
"He wants a trip and some decent ground to be seen at him best."
In the same Paul and Clare Rooney silks is promising novice chaser Red Spinner, but Bailey is hoping for a dry spell to kick in.
"He's very ground dependent," said the Gloucestershire handler.
"He's two out of two over fences and there are pretty obvious options at Doncaster (Lightning Novices' Chase) and Warwick (Kingmaker Novices' Chase) for him but it will need to start drying up soon."