Ground concerns for Henderson

Nicky Henderson is philosophical about the likelihood of soft ground for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The Seven Barrows trainer still intends to be four-handed in the world's greatest steeplechase with Triolo D'Alene, Hunt Ball, Shakalakaboomboom and Long Run, although he does not expect the first three named to be suited by the conditions, with the Merseyside track good to soft after rain overnight and further showers forecast through the week.

All four Henderson contenders completed their preparations with flying colours on Tuesday morning.

He said: "I think it's bound to be on the soft side, they'll make it that way. For Triolo, Hunt Ball and Shaka all three of them want good ground, but they are probably not going to get it.

"Long Run will cope with softer ground more than the others possibly. I accept they want to slow the ground down, but I hope not too much.

"They all finished their work this morning. They all schooled again. All went well and their prep is more or less finished."

The champion trainer is still seeking his first Grand National triumph, having had two seconds including Zongalero, who was his first runner back in 1979.

Donald McCain, on the other hand, followed in his late father Ginger's footsteps by getting on the roll of honour with Ballabriggs in 2011.

He will be double-handed with Across The Bay and Kruzhlinin, who will go for the big one rather than the Betfred TV Handicap Chase on the same card.

"He's aiming to run in the National, he's grand. I don't know who rides him yet," said the Cheshire trainer.

"Across The Bay is in good form as well and we're happy with them."

Following Monday's five-day stage at which 65 were confirmed, connections of those directly below the top 40 will be hoping for withdrawals by the final declaration stage on Thursday.

A random ballot for those on the same weight at the cut off point has been made with the David Pipe-trained Swing Bill in pole position followed by Goonyella, Soll, Night In Milan, Minella For Value and Saint Are.

Tony McCoy, who ended his National hoodoo on Don't Push It in 2010, is unlikely to make a decision on his ride until final declaration time.

The record-breaking champion jockey is poised to choose between Irish challengers Colbert Station and Double Seven, both of whom are owned by JP McManus.

But McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry, told the Guardian that McCoy was expected to make up his mind "about half an hour before the jockeys have to be declared".

Berry said: "Double Seven wouldn't want a lot of rain. Colbert Station, any rain wouldn't matter to him, he'd handle any ground, which Double Seven wouldn't."

McManus is also likely to be represented in the great race at Aintree on Saturday by the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Lost Glory, but he seems unlikely to be on McCoy's radar.

Berry added: "He hasn't set the world on fire. It's hard to fancy him."

Kim Bailey, who won the Grand National with Mr Frisk 24 years ago, believes The Rainbow Hunter offers punters "unbelievably good value".

The 10-year-old gelding unseated his jockey at the Canal Turn last season but returns to Merseyside in fine spirits, having claimed the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on his last outing in January.

Bailey told the Telegraph: "He's not a Mr Frisk. For a start he's only 16 hands. He is very small, but he is agile and never made a semblance of a mistake last year. It wasn't his fault the jockey got knocked off. He has as much chance as anything else.

"He's in good form. I'm very happy with him and Aidan (Coleman) rode him in Lambourn on Friday and was happy with him.

"He was 50-1 last year, he's 33-1 this year and I think that's unbelievably good value. He's got class and he'll stay."