Richard Phillips will be at Aintree on Saturday for one of the biggest days in his racing life.

The experienced Cotswolds-based trainer saddles Idas Boy in the Grand National, still regarded by most as the biggest race in the world.

It is only the second time that Phillips, who trained his first winner way back in 1993/94, has had a runner in the race and he’s hopeful that Idas Boy can put in a good performance.

The 11-year-old has had just the one run for Phillips – he finished sixth of seven in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Doncaster a month ago – but he has plenty of supporters.

He was originally trained by Noel Meade, and Phillips said: “I think the fact he’s got a place in the National shows he has to be a good horse.

“He did well for Noel Meade. He won a decent chase or two and he won the Kilbeggan National last summer.”

That race was over three miles and a furlong, which is more than a mile shorter than the Grand National, but Phillips is hoping the extra distance will suit Idas Boy, who will be ridden by Harry Bannister on Saturday.

“He’s never run four-and-a-quarter miles before but we’re hoping he gets the step up in trip,” he said.

The bookies are offering odds of around 100/1 on Idas Boy but Phillips, who is based at Adlestrop near Stow-on-the-Wold, knows what it takes to win at Aintree, albeit not in the biggest race of all.

His only other runner in the National was 24 years ago when Noble Lord failed to get around, but despite that disappointment he remains a huge supporter of the Grand National.

“It’s a great race, it’s the biggest race in the world,” he said. “It’s still unique, it’s a four-and-a-quarter mile handicap race over obstacles the horses don’t normally come across.

“It’s the people’s race, that’s why it’s so popular.”

The race gets under way at 4pm.