Trainer Ciaron Maher expected his star steeplechaser Bashboy to be given the 72.5kg he will carry in Sunday's Grand National Steeplechase.

And he isn't too concerned the reigning National champion is giving a minimum of 7kg to the rest of the field.

"He deserves his weight, you have to be realistic," Maher said.

"The isn't much doubt he's the best `chaser going around, he has the form and the ability."

Bashboy warmed up for Sunday's 4500m task with a convincing win at set weights in the Crisp Steeple two weeks ago, a race in which he made a couple of mistakes before scoring a comfortable 3-1/4 length win that left him unbeaten in his six steeplechase starts.

Regular rider Steve Pateman said the run had been an ideal preparation for the National.

"Last year was his first year steeplechasing so we expected him to jump a lot better this year and he's done that," Pateman said.

"Certainly he has his share of weight but compared to the other horses he'll relish the 4500 metres.

"We'll just ride him so he's comfortable the whole way ... keep hold of him for as long as I can."

Pateman will also ride Brungle Cry in Sunday's JJ Houlahan Hurdle (3400m), a race in which the promising King Triton takes his first shot at a major race.

Trainer Pat Hyland steps the son of Elvstroem up to the big time off successive wins in Adelaide, the latest when he scored impressively from Viking Tiger at Morphettville.

Hyland rates King Triton as comparable to his best jumper, the 1996 National winner Best Endeavours.

"Once we started jumping him we were fairly confident that he was going to make the grade, but he's probably gone even a little bit better than we would have expected," Hyland said.

Hyland also runs Makena Lei in the Grand National.