Red Marauder, trained in County Durham by his owner Norman Mason, the most successful permit-holder in Britain, can clinch the £500,000 Martell Grand National at Aintree tomorrow.

The ten-year-old, who has been beaten only once over fences, has come in for significant support this week and is now down to around 12-1 from 20-1 after an increased surge of optimism among his backers.

Unbeaten in three races as a novice chaser two seasons ago, Red Marauder was sidelined with injury throughout the following campaign, but bounced back to winning form on his reappearance at Wetherby in February when beating Flying Instructor by four lengths.

His next outing was in the red-hot Racing Post Trophy at Kempton, where he failed to fire and finished a never-dangerous sixth to the subsequently ill-fated Gloria Victis.

Freshened-up since then, Red Marauder has delighted his connections, notably his big-race pilot Richard Guest, Mason's hands-on assistant, who is bullish about his National prospects.

Although well aware that his mount is unproven beyond two and a half miles, Guest is adamant that the stoutly-bred Red Marauder will see out the marathon distance of National.

However, there is a chance he will not run if the ground remains fast.

Guest said: "If the weather stays like this he won't run. We won't make a decision until Saturday morning."

Stamina will not be a problem for big local hope Young Kenny, but top-weight of 12st could well be.

Last year's Scottish National winner faces a daunting task under such a welter burden and, although Peter Beaumont reports him to be rude health, the Brandsby gelding ran a lacklustre race on his latest outing at Haydock.

That race was won by The Last Fling, a lively hope tomorrow from Sue Smith's yard, with Niki Dee, a stable-mate of Young Kenny, finishing second.

Niki Dee has since run below-par on firm ground at Cheltenham, but conditions should be perfect for him at Aintree and, at odds of around 33-1, he makes plenty of each-way appeal.

Star Traveller, the ante-post favourite, will be ridden by Richard Johnson, who is aiming for a notable double, having won last month's Gold Cup on Looks Like Trouble.

Star Traveller, tough, talented and consistent, has obvious credentials following his excellent third to Marlborough at Cheltenham, and, given a clear passage, he should go well, along with last year's winner Bobbyjo.

The Irish challenger has been laid-out by Tommy Carberry for a repeat victory, but he has an extra 20lb on his back this year and, although a bold bid is expected, he might find himself having to settle for minor honours.

Micko's Dream, another from Ireland, has an excellent record, having won two of his last three races before being laid-out for this all-important target. Although his stamina remains unproven, he is one for the short-list.

In a wide-open race, with so many of the runners in the handicap proper, a case can be made out for numerous horses.

Djeddah, from France, is among them and any further drying-out of the course will be in his favour. Tony McCoy's mount Dark Stranger can not be left out of the reckoning either, along with Peter Niven's mount, Hollybank Buck, the Nicky Henderson-trained Esprit de Cotte and also the northern pair, Addington Boy and Feels Like Gold, both of whom ran well 12 months ago.

An outstanding race is in prospect and, as always, the one major wish is that all horses and jockeys come back safe and sound at the end of four and a half miles and 30 famous fences.

see also 'Horses going for National glory'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.