Intended runners in Saturday's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree are going through their final preparations ahead of the big race.
The build-up continues to the Aintree spectacular
Synchronised is due to complete his John Smith's Grand National preparations with a pipeopener on Thursday.
As long as he comes through the exercise at Jonjo O'Neill's stables with no hiccups, the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero will head a team of at least four for owner JP McManus.
"He'll do his final bit of work in the morning and we'll see how he is, but it's so far so good," said his racing manager Frank Berry.
"He's not doing a lot in the morning, just a little, and if all is well he will go there.
"Sunnyhillboy is well. He came out of Cheltenham fine and is in good form. With a bit of luck he should go well round there as long as he takes to the place.
"We should have four runners (Quiscover Fontaine and Arbor Supreme are the others) and we have one (Smoking Aces) waiting to get in."
McManus, O'Neill and jockey Tony McCoy tasted National glory with Don't Push It two years ago and he was third to Ballabriggs 12 months ago.
Repeat Win
However, no Gold Cup winner has gone to triumph at Aintree the same year since the mighty Golden Miller in 1934.
Ballabriggs will attempt back-to-back victories in the world's greatest steeplechase, a feat last achieved by his trainer Donald McCain's father Ginger in 1974 through the legendary Red Rum.
"Everything's fine with him and Donald's happy with him," said owner Trevor Hemmings' racing manager Michael Meagher.
"It would be amazing if he could do it again. It's a big ask, but he has got a chance."
Alfa Beat will attempt to add the Liverpool showpiece to his two wins in the Kerry National for trainer John Hanlon and become the first grey to score since Nicolaus Silver in 1961.
He will be ridden by Davy Russell, who is expecting a big show.
"He's been laid out for the race. I won on him round Galway in a handicap chase when Charles Byrnes had him and he's won two Kerry Nationals, so I'm looking forward to riding him," Russell told
At The Races.
"He's been around Aintree and he jumped most of the fences before he did fall. I'm looking forward to having a good spin and a good ride.
"The Gold Cup winner is coming back and he's in off a nice weight too. It's a very competitive race.
"It's not like Nationals before when it was a bit of a lottery. You're getting better-class horses in it these days."
Guaranteed Place
Kim Bailey won the Grand National with Mr Frisk in 1990 and was relieved that Midnight Haze was finally guaranteed a place in the line-up at the confirmation stage.
"This has made the members of the Kim Bailey Racing Partnership very happy indeed; excited and very happy owners," he told his website
www.kimbaileyracing.com.
"Yes, what a thrill for them. Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.
"Midnight Haze might be a long shot in the betting but his form stands out and with a clear round he could surprise and be placed.
"He won impressively at Ludlow first time out this season and his long term aim has always been this years Grand National, so we gave him a long break.
"His prep run at Cheltenham was encouraging when he finished sixth in the controversial cross country race, under a good ride from Sean Quinlan, who will again partner him on Saturday."
Cheltenham Class
Owner Andy Stewart is hoping Tatenen can erase the memory of the fatal fall suffered by Ornais in last year's race and that the Richard Rowe-trained gelding can improve on My Will's third place in 2009.
"He was favourite for an Arkle, he won the Arkle Trial and he just lacks that bit of Cheltenham class," Stewart said.
"The two valuable Victor Chandler handicap chases he's won at Ascot with Andrew Thornton on board but I have this view that the Grand National is not a four-and-a-half-mile race it's a two-mile race then another two-and-a-half-mile race.
"That's why you get horses like Blowing Wind running into a place and a couple of years ago Don't Push It showed he had that class.
"We had mixed emotions last year with Ornais, but we support the race and we just hope they all come home safe and sound."
The ground on the National course was described as good to soft, soft in places, having dried out from soft, good to soft in places.
Dry Day
Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "We have had a second dry day in a row, having missed the showers so far, and the courses have dried again.
"I am really pleased with the ground ahead of the start of the meeting tomorrow.
"It is drying but the next two days are forecast to be unsettled and we could have a heavy shower or two. Equally, we could again miss the rain."
