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With the current long-range forecast predicting more rain to hit Aintree in the next week, trainer Lucinda Russell is hoping Corach Rambler's bid for back-to-back Grand Nationals will not be washed away.

The current going for the Grand National course is soft, heavy in places - a very different outlook from the good to soft ground in last year's race, when Corach Rambler stormed to a comfortable victory under jockey Derek Fox.

The ten-year-old gelding had a tricky start to the new campaign when disappointing at Carlisle, but soon hit top gear and was given the ideal preparation for Aintree when hunted round for a staying-on third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

"Time seems to be passing very quickly since Cheltenham, but everything has been going according to plan," Russell said.

"He's now back in full work, he was working today actually, and we'll get him wound up for the National. Everything is looking good; I just wish it would slightly stop raining at Aintree.

"I don't think anyone would want a really heavy-ground Grand National, so hopefully it won't be too testing, it does drain well here."

Corach Rambler is a general 4/1 favourite for the Grand National on 13 April.