The fancied Inn at the Top has been withdrawn from Saturday's Grand National.

The rain-soaked Aintree course is considered too soft for the 14-1 chance.

Merry People comes in as reserve following the withdrawal of Inn At The Top.

He has failed to put in a clear round in last two Nationals, though was running a blinder until he fell at the second-last fence two years ago.

Out of action since last September, the Irish challenger is a 66/1 chance.

Money has poured onto the mud-loving horses after heavy rain in Liverpool.

The going has officially been changed to soft - and on Friday there was news of 27 withdrawals.

Likely favourite Edredon Bleu was removed from the Grade One Martell Melling Chase, with jockey Tony McCoy switching to Lady Cricket.

Six of the 30 runners were taken out of the John Hughes Chase, over a circuit of the National course, and five were pulled out of the opening Heidsieck Diamant Bleu Novices' Handicap Chase.

But worst hit was the Martell Mersey Novices' Hurdle in which there were seven scratchings, leaving just six to battle for a �50,000 purse.

Welsh Grand National winner Edmond's odds on winning Saturday's Grand National were halved on Friday to 10-1.

Trainer Henry Daly said: "I must be one of the few people in England laughing about this weather."

Edmond has run below par recently but loves heavy going and looks sure to be running on at the end when many others in the 40-strong field have cried enough.

The 2000 Grand National winner Papillon had to travel from ferry to plane for the champion's' return to Aintree.

The top weight Beau won the Whitbread Gold Cup in soft ground last year but this will be a much tougher task in desperate going and connections acknowledge he prefers a faster surface.

Charity

Weather forecasters were offering slim comfort: "It looks like it could be pretty horrible during Grand National Day," said a Met Office spokesman.

Mely Moss is again making his seasonal bow on Saturday after various training difficulties and is rated 9-1 second favourite behind Papillon at 8-1.

Addington Boy, a 28-1 chance who has twice finished in the first five, is running partly in aid of a charity which helps the farming community, stricken in the last month by foot-and-mouth disease.

Meanwhile, trainer Venetia Williams admitted she knows nothing about her new horse, Inis Cara.

The latest edition to her Grand National team only joined this week.

Williams said: "It's quite extraordinary to be having a runner that I haven't seen yet.

"Originally I thought I wouldn't be taking charge of him until after the race so it is an unexpected bonus.

"But I can't tell you anything about the horse."