Brian Ellison’s horse made a mockery of a handicap mark of 149 in the BetBright Grimthorpe Chase and he will go to Aintree unpenalised for the success following the recent unveiling of the weights.
The Last Samuri won this contest last year before finishing second in the big one at Aintree, and he ran a pleasing enough trial for the National once again by running on for second.
However, this was all about Definitly Red who was 14 lengths clear at the line.
Cook said: "Hopefully now all roads lead to the National. I think he's a very good horse and the question is whether he can jump round there."
However, Cook was banned after the race for four days (March 24-27) for using his whip in the incorrect place and when clearly winning, having earlier got two days (March 22 and 23) for using his whip above the permitted level on fifth-placed Point The Way in the opening race.
Delighted trainer Ellison said: “He goes for the National, he’s got 10-11, which looks a nice weight.
“It was always the plan to go there after here, but you need a lot of luck to go well in that race.”
Ellison added: "He travelled well, he jumped well. The plan wasn't to hit the front that early, but he was going so well that Danny couldn't wait.
"At Haydock things didn't go to plan. Henry (Brooke) asked him for a big one down the back and he took off and landed on the fence which unsettled him, but he would have finished second had he not unseated that day. He was staying on.
"He's won the Rowland Meyrick and now this, which is his best result so far.
"Providing he schools well over National-style fences, he'll go to Aintree. They are building two at Malton.
"I can't see why he won't take to them as he is such a good jumper.
"He's a lovely horse and has a great temperament. He's class."
Winning owner Phil Martin said: "That's my biggest win.
"I'm not a big fan of the National but I put him in. Brian wanted to give him a Gold Cup entry but I thought that was flying high.
"He was on 149 and he'll go up to about 160 after this and he might be a Charlie Hall horse next season.
"We'll go along with the National idea and see how it goes."
Sky Bet went 14/1 from 25s about the winner for the Grand National, while keeping the runner-up at 16/1 in their market (paying five places).
Connections of last year's winner The Last Samuri were proud of his effort in defeat.
Jason Maguire, racing manager for the owners Paul and Clare Rooney, said: "It was a good run and he kept on well. Obviously the National is the race we want to go for and it looked to be a good trial run.
"Obviously we'd have loved to win, but it's hard to give away all that weight.
"Even with a circuit to go, you could notice David (Bass) was pushing the button a little bit to try to keep up, but he jumped very well and stayed on up the straight, so we're very happy with him.
"He comes alive around Aintree and you're hoping he's a better horse over those fences."Over the National trip, good ground will be ideal."
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