There was good support for favourite Paris Pike in the Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Ferdy Murphy's charge was 6 to 1 for Saturday's race when odds were first published but he has since been backed down to 9 to 2.
His trainer reports the gelding to be in good form. 'He's really well. He did his final bit of work this morning and came through that with no problems.
'He's got 11st which is a very nice racing weight and Adrian (Maguire) seems to think the course will suit him.
'From the start of the season he's been saying he's going to be a Scottish National horse so let's hope he's proved right on the day.'
Birkdale has also been backed down to 10 to 1 from 16 to 1 but trainer Len Lungo has warned that his mudlark, the winner of his last three chases, may not run at Ayr.
Lungo said: 'I spoke to a colleague up there last night and he told me he did not think I would run Birkdale on the ground as it is - he feels it is on the fast side of good.'
Alan King is hoping that Ayr avoids the current wet spell as he prepares Spendid for a possible crack at the race.
The trainer wants good ground for the gelding, who won the Jim Ford Challenge Cup at Wincanton prior to finishing fifth behind Marlborough in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time.
However Trouble Ahead, winner of his last two starts including the Agfa Diamond Chase in February, will only take part in the Scottish National if the ground eases.
A spokeswoman for trainer Kim Bailey said: 'Trouble Ahead will only run at Ayr if the ground is on the soft side of good.
'He's still in the Irish National and the Whitbread and they will be considered.'
Betting: Coral: 9-2 Paris Pike, 7-1 Marlborough, 9-1 Edmond, 10-1 Young Kenny, Cavalero, 11-1 Trouble Ahead, Earthmover, 12-1 Birkdale, 14-1 Browjoshy, Red Marauder, Soldat, 16-1 Spendid, 20-1 Bar.
Ladbrokes: 9-2 Paris Pike, 8-1 Marlborough, 10-1 Birkdale, Cavalero, Edmond, 11-1 Young Kenny, 12-1 Earthmover, 14-1 Browjoshy, Mister One, Soldat, 16-1 Golden Drum, Moondigua, Red Marauder, Samlee, Spendid, Trouble Ahead, 20-1 Bar.
William Hill: 4-1 Paris Pike, 8-1 Marlborough, 9-1 Browjoshy, 10-1 Edmond, Young Kenny, 11-1 Birkdale, 12-1 Cavalero, 14-1 Earthmover, Red Marauder, Samlee, Spendid, 16-1 Soldat, Trouble Ahead, 20-1 Bar.
