Bailey faces wait on his National bid

Kim Bailey faces one of the most agonising waits of his life ahead of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National.

He knows that the wait might well be in vain. But he also knows that his stable star Longshanks has the ability to resurrect his career if he does get a run in Saturday's £700,000 contest.

The lightly-raced Longshanks, impressive at Kempton on his latest start and as short as 14-1 in the National market, lies 47th on the list of possibles and needs seven withdrawals at tomorrow's 48-hour declaration stage in order to run in the big race.

He also holds an entry in Friday's Topham Chase, but Bailey has set his heart on the National as he approaches the end of a season which has seen his Daventry-based team blighted by illness and injury.

"Having won the National with Mr Frisk in 1990 the National is very special to me," he said.

"Longshanks ran a blinder to be second in last year's Topham and looked very good at Kempton, but we need something unusual to happen if he's to get a run."

Meanwhile, the puzzle as to who will start National favourite is almost as difficult to solve as the race itself.

Corals feel that weight of Irish money will ensure that Hedgehunter heads the market come the off, but the forecast rain finally arrived at Aintree this morning and a change in conditions could make the market increasingly volatile.