 Joes Edge and jockey Graham Lee (right) on Redcar beach |
New Grand National favourite Joes Edge has been guaranteed a run in Saturday's race after news of two withdrawals. Joes Edge, trained by Ferdy Murphy, has been backed from 50-1 to 8-1 since winning at the Cheltenham Festival.
Two horses had to drop out before he made the 40-runner field, which will be finalised on Thursday.
But backers of Joes Edge can breathe easy after it emerged Fota Island and Armaturk would miss the famous Aintree contest.
Trainer Willie Mullins had also said that Homer Wells would not run because of the drying ground, but has changed his mind.
"They tell me Aintree are watering well, so we have decided to let Homer Wells have a go," said Mullins.
On Wednesday, Joes Edge followed the example of legendary triple National winner Red Rum with a stroll on the beach ahead of the big steeplechase.
Murphy gave the horse, who was seventh in last year's National, an outing on the sand at Redcar.
"He's definitely got the best chance of any of my previous National runners, by a long, long way," said Murphy.
In-form Murphy enjoyed two winners at Cheltenham, and saw Nine De Sivola just beaten in the Irish Grand National on Monday.
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He took some of his leading horses to the beach just as Joes Edge, who will relish the drying ground at Aintree, replaced Dun Doire as favourite for the famous race.
"It all went grand. We just give them a day out and it is something a bit different for them, and they enjoy it," said Murphy.
"We always try to take them to Redcar before a big race if we have some fine weather as it just freshens them up and it's a day away from the yard."
Red Rum, who won the National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, was trained on Southport beach by Ginger McCain.
 Joes Edge leads his stablemates on a walk across Redcar beach |
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins is confident of a bold show from his 2005 champion Hedgehunter. His stable star was second in last year's race, and also runner-up in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, but has suffered knee trouble this season.
"We haven't had the best of seasons with him but I thought he ran OK over hurdles at Limerick the other day," said the County Carlow trainer.
"He has worked well since and I am confident with him going over."
Hedgehunter finished ninth on his return to racing at Limerick ahead of another tilt at the Aintree fences in Saturday's big race.
The 11-year-old has not been seen in a steeplechase since finishing second to Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 National.
Owned by Lancastrian multi-millionaire Trevor Hemmings, Hedgehunter remains a generally-available 14-1 chance for the 2007 National.
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Hedgehunter, who fell at the last when a tired third in the 2004 Grand National before his victory a year later, is due to carry top weight of 11st 12lbs this time. He was a six-length second under the same burden last year to Numbersixvalverde, who has been allotted 11st 3lbs, a 9lb rise on a year ago.
David Casey rode Hedgehunter in his first National appearance, while Ruby Walsh was aboard for his last two Aintree runs and is set to ride again.
After announcing Homer Wells would run after all, Mullins may still have as many as four runners in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon but believes Hedgehunter boasts the best chance.
He said Kerry National winner Bothar Na could troubling the principles, despite not having had a race since November.
"I'm hoping that he'll gain experience and if he's not good enough this year, maybe he will be next year. He looks a real National type," said Mullins.
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