Willie Mullins is hoping the rain stays away to give Hedgehunter every chance of completing back-to-back victories in the John Smith's Grand National.

"He's travelled over well. Ruby (Walsh) rode him this morning and said he felt in good order and I think he is too," said Mullins. "We're just keeping our fingers crossed it doesn't rain any more. Some might say he had too hard a race at Cheltenham but there are 70,000 reasons (ie runner-up prize-money) why he didn't. He ran a cracker and it might have knocked the edge off him a bit but I thought he had as much chance of winning the Gold Cup as he does have of winning the National.

"He has improved since last year and I was hoping he would have improved quickly enough for him to win the Irish Hennessy. It has just come later than I thought. I hope he maintains that improvement.

"He'll have to if he's going to win. I'm relaxed enough as he won it last year. I'm hoping he comes back safe and sound. Anything other than that is a bonus."

Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain, who is seeking a fifth National triumph, has three "good chances". He saddles 2004 winner Amberleigh House, Ebony Light and Inca Trail, who only recently joined his stable from Paul Nicholls.

A maximum field of 40 were declared for tomorrow's race with top weight of 11st 12lb to be carried by Hedgehunter and Royal Auclair, the first two home last year.

Sir Rembrandt and Spot Thedifference were ruled out yesterday morning after late setbacks, while Eurotrek, Ollie Magern and Ground Ball are expected withdrawals. Spot Thedifference's owner JP McManus still has four chances to break his Grand National duck headed by the favourite Clan Royal, the mount of champion jockey Tony McCoy. Runner-up in 2004, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained 11-year-old was in front when carried out by a loose horse at Becher's second time round last year.