RUM TALK (outside), ridden by Trevor Simpson, gets up in time to catch the favourite MUCHO GUSTO (Paul Francis), in last Saturday's Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park. RUM TALK won at 5-2. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Previous winners, HEDGEHUNTER (2005) and NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (2006) are among the fancied horses for tomorrow's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.

As is customary, a large field (40 runners) will face the starter for this world famous steeplechase and this time around the ante-post betting among the top contenders is pretty tight.

The Ferdie Murphy-trained JOE'S EDGE, a former Scottish Grand National winner, is joint 10-1 favourite with DUN DOIRE and POINT BARROW, closely followed by NUMBERSIXVALVERDE at 11-1, HEDGEHUNTER and SIMON at 14-1, L'AMI, EUROTREK and IDLE TALK all at 16-1, BOTHER NA at 18-1 with BILLYVODDAN, CLAN ROYAL, HOMER WELLS, JACK HIGH and MONKERHOSTIN all offering 20-1.

Those looking for a good outsider could try BALLYCASSIDY (50-1) who ran very well last year before coming down at the 25th fence. Irish trainer Willie Mullins is expecting a good show from top weight (11st. 12lb) HEDGEHUNTER, who after winning in 2005 came back to finish second under top weight last year.

A proven class horse having finished second in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, HEDGEHUNTER has worked well for the race and given his experience at Aintree, could prove equal to the task. Following Mullins' news on HEDGEHUNTER, totesport were forced to cut his odds of 16-1 to 14-1. Incidentally, Mullins also runs the quietly fancied BOTHER NA (18-1) who the trainer describes as a "a real National type", despite having his first race since November of last year.

First to win back-to-back

NUMBERSIXVALVERDE will be seeking to become the first horse since the legendary RED RUM to score back-to-back wins in 1974 history is against him, punters can never under-estimate the importance of the 'Aintree' factor as the Irish-trained chaser clearly loves the track. He is not harshly treated at the weights either and has shown enough spark in three races this season to merit support again.

Many-time champion jockey Tony McCoy will be seeking that elusive first win in the great race aboard L'AMI, who will wear cheek pieces for the race. The Francis Doumen-trained horse has not won in over two years, but comes in with a good chance on the basis of his good second to the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner KAUTO STAR in the Aon Chase in February. L'AMI's full-brother, stable-companion KELAMI (33-1) has also delighted his trainer in the build-up to the race.

Trainer Tony Martin says he is happy with the well-backed DUN DOIRE, even though the going is expected to be good and he is a better horse on soft ground.

"I'd love it if the ground was deep and heavy, but they do have 4 1/2 miles to go which should help him. I think he is an old-fashioned type of National horse and if there's any ease in the ground, I think he will run a big race", said Martin. DUN DOIRE stays, jumps well and possesses an invaluable battling spirit.

JOE'S EDGE trainer, Ferdie Murphy,said: He's definitely got the best chance of any of my previous National runners, by a long, long way. It is the first time everything has fallen in place for any of mine, He comes to himself at this time of the year, he won at Cheltenham and the ground is right". Graham Lee has the ride.

Trainer Pat Hughes believes the joint ante-post favourite POINT BARROW will "definitely" make the frame if he enjoys a trouble-free passage. POINT BARROW won the Irish Grand National 12 months ago.

- O.C.