BBC Sport Online's Frank Keogh reports on the latest news from Aintree as the build-up continues to the Martell Grand National, the world's greatest steeplechase.

Torrential rain for the second day running forced a change in the all-important going at the Martell Grand National Meeting.

Before the start of racing on Friday, it was described as soft, heavy in places on all three courses at the track.

The forecast for Saturday, which features the National, is for more of the same although there might be some sunny spells.

Punters should remember that more rain suits horses who can 'stay the trip' ie: who do not mind a real test of stamina, and will keep on running.

Flood of cash on call-off

As the rain continued to hammer down on Friday morning, dark rumours were being whispered - was there a chance the National could be postponed?

And Simon Clare, PR man for Coral Eurobet, saw fit to offer odds - '16/1 it will be off' he ventured to the Press corps at the course.

Clare was nearly knocked over as various coins, fivers and tenners came out of dusty wallets to take him up on the bet.

He duly closed the book, but there was bad news for the hard-pressed hacks from clerk of the course Ian Renton.

"It is producing testing conditions, but there is nothing wrong with racing at the moment and it is holding up well," said Renton. A dry period followed.

Grounds for concern

Ted Walsh, the trainer of 2000 Grand National winner Papillon, admits the testing ground is a worry.

He questioned the oft-used description 'bottomless', which refers to extremely heavy conditions, being applied to Aintree.

"It's bottomless in your definition in England, but it's nowhere near bottomless in Ireland, for us it's just soft ground," said Walsh, after arriving by plane with the horse on Friday afternoon.

"It will affect him - he's better on good ground - but it's far from bottomless."

Owner for the day

Competition winner Deryc Rees, from Camarthen in Wales, will be the owner for the day of Addington Boy in the Grand National.

The ownership of the horse, who has been placed in the race previously, was offered by sponsors Martell and Aintree racecourse as a prize to help raise cash for farmers in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

People taking part in the competition had to donate at least �5 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's fund to raise cash for suffering farming communities.

Reece, 34, will receive 12 per cent of any prize-money. Some �290,000 goes to connections of the race winner.

Teenager Tom takes his place

Tom Scudamore will be the second-youngest winning jockey since the Second World War if he triumphs aboard Northern Starlight in the Grand National.

The 18-year-old amateur, son of former champion jump jockey Peter, is looking forward to the ride after a big winner at Asot last Saturday and an opening race victory at the Grand National meeting.

"Northern Starlight has won here before and landed a whole host of top races. He's a sound jumper and I'm very much looking forward to taking over on him," said the young Scudamore.

"I've finished school now and I'm planning to turn professional in the summer. The past few weeks have gone very well, and I'm hoping to keep on a roll."

Chain reaction

A series of unusual bets are being offered in a bid to tempt further cash from punters.

William Hill believe champion jockey Tony McCoy, who has failed to complete the race in five attempts, will not get round this time either.

They have McCoy odds-on at 1-3 to come a cropper, while you can get 2-1 he makes it.

Hills also stand to lose �3,000 if a �10 each/way bet by David Bullock comes off.

The joiner from Liverpool must be a cycling fan as he has bet that Lance Armstrong (the horse named after the top cyclist) can win both the Grand National and this year's Tour de France.

At 16-1, the horse is a slightly bigger price than the rider, who is bidding for a hat-trick in the event.