EDMOND COMPLETES NATIONAL BUILD-UP

Edmond exercised in blinkers today as he continued his build-up towards the Martell Grand National.

The nine-year-old, who has been somewhat disappointing so far this season, was put through his paces at Henry Daly`s training grounds near Ludlow racecourse.

Big-race jockey Richard Johnson was in the saddle as Edmond was tried in the blinkers which it is hoped will help to rekindle the horse.

'He just schooled over half a dozen fences and he seemed to take well enough to them,' said Daly.

'The horse is fine after the work and I hope the blinkers will help to make Richard`s job easier on Saturday.'

Edmond has been off the course since being pulled up in the Tote Northern National at Newcastle in February.

'I`ve no idea what`s going to happen, we`ll just have to wait and see,' said Daly. 'At least wet weather will help. The more rain the merrier for him.'

By contrast Colin Tizzard, the owner and trainer of outsider Mister One, is hoping the rains stay away from Merseyside.

'He would not really want it worse than good to soft, so I`m just hoping it`s not too bad,' he said.

Tizzard is yet to finalise a jockey for Mister One who ran second in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on his last outing.

But young Scottish rider Mark Bradburne is the favourite to take the mount at present.

'Mark is a jockey I like and he has ridden for me. But I can`t confirm it yet as it depends on other running plans,' said Tizzard.

Mister One is still not certain to get a place in the line-up which has a 40-runner maximum.

Several acceptors must drop out if the 10-year-old is to escape elimination.

'We`re keeping our fingers crossed, but I am hopeful he will just scrape in,' said Tizzard.