/ Editor / 03 April 2007 /

Don Foster has issued a warning to traders regarding his Grand National hope Ossmoses with the gelding in desperate need of rain to be a definite starter in the big race.

The Northern hope has been well supported in recent weeks but there is a real threat that his favoured testing conditions will not materialise.

"I'm praying for rain," Foster told The Times.

"I've waited all my life to have a National runner but he's a big strapping horse and he'll only run if I'm happy with conditions. Good ground would be marginal and watered ground would really set my alarm bells ringing."

However his supporters will not be heartened by the news from Aintree's clerk of the course, Andrew Tulloch, who said: "We started watering over the weekend and, as we're forecast no appreciable rain, we will continue through the week to hold it at good ground."

Having been supported as low as 19 for the April 14 contest, Ossmoses currently trades at 27 for the Aintree marathon.

The market is still dominated by Irish-trained runners with Point Barrow leading the way on 11, ahead of Dun Doire on 12.5 and last season's winner Numbersixvalverde on 16.

There has been recent support for some British-trained entries with Simon (17), Eurotrek (18) and Joe's Edge(18) all shortening in the betting this week.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>