Money has poured on to the ‘mudlarks’ for tomorrow’s Aintree Grand National and with more rain forecast a classic stamina test is ensured.
Welsh Grand National winner Edmond's odds were halved today to 10-1. Henry Daly, trainer of Edmond, said: "I must be one of the few people in England laughing about this weather."
Edmond has run below par recently but loves heavy going and looks sure to be running on at the end when many others in the 40-strong field have cried enough.
Yesterday’s atrocious weather forced 2000 Grand National winner Papillon to be switched from ferry to plane for his journey to the Liverpool racecourse.
Testing conditions at the track obliged connections of Inn at the Top, a live 16-1 chance, to pull out of the race today. Many other trainers were left peering anxiously at the skies.
The top weight Beau won the Whitbread Gold Cup in soft ground last year but this will be a much tougher task in desperate going and connections acknowledge he prefers a faster surface.
Weather forecasters were offering slim comfort: "It looks like it could be pretty horrible during Grand National Day," said a Met Office spokesman.