Murphy Hoping Rain Stays Away Ferdy Murphy is hoping conditions at Aintree will improve ahead of tomorrow´s John Smith´s Grand National. Murphy runs outsider Europa in the big race and is slightly concerned by the prospect of testing ground at the Liverpool track. The nine-year-old has shown the best of his form on a sound surface but the going was officially described as good to soft today. 'He´s in good form but he wouldn´t want much in the way of rain,' said Murphy. 'I wouldn´t be worried about the trip on good ground as he´s a classy horse but he might just get found out on testing ground which it looks like it probably will be. 'The National is a one-off though and if you get in, you have to run.' Europa is a 50-1 chance with Coral. ? PA Sport
