/ Editor / 16 March 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Cheltenham winner, Joes Edge, has been backed for the Grand National although the gelding is far from certain of making the cut.

The Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding got up in the shadow of the post to land the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and after initial interest in the market when the 10-year-old was matched as low as 21, his price has now settled at around the 40 mark for the Aintree marathon.

"I hope he gets in the National - he would be borderline. He's got 10st 2lb, but doesn't get a penalty for this. Hopefully, he'll get in," said Murphy.

There are currently 66 horses above him in the weights, with a maximum 40 runners set to go to post on April 14.

The market is headed by Venetia Williams' Nil Desperandum on 13 ahead of five Irish-trained runners - Dun Doire (15), Numbersixvalverde (15.5), Far From Trouble (19) Hedgehunter (19) and Point Barrow (19.5).