HEREFORDSHIRE trainer Michael Scudamore will be hoping history strikes twice at the Crabbies Grand National on Saturday.

Liam Treadwell, who famously rode Venetia Williams' horse Mon Mome to victory at the showpiece event in 2009, will be aboard Scudamore's mount Monbeg Dude.

The horse finished seventh at the Grand National last year and Scudamore believes it has a chance of bettering that at Aintree this time around.

At the time of going to press, he was a 33/1 shot.

"Liam will be riding Monbeg Dude, which is very exciting because he has won the race before," said Scudamore, who trains his horses at Eccleswall Court in Bromsash, near Ross-on-Wye.

"It is great to have someone of his experience on board.

"It is going to be a tough race, but Monbeg Dude finished seventh last year and he is carrying a little bit less weight this year.

"I am hoping to come come a bit closer this time."

The former Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude is part-owned by England rugby union World Cup-winner Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter.

The ride on the horse became available because Scudamore's two regular jockeys, Tom Scudamore and Paul Carberry, have both already got ride's in this weekend's spectacular.

Scudamore's brother Tom will ride Soll for his boss David Pipe, while Carberry, who rode Monbeg Dude last year, is on board Irish trainer Gordon Elliott's Cause for Causes.

The Scudamores' grandfather, Michael Scudamore Snr, won the Grand National in 1959 aboard Oxo.

Michael said it would be a dream come true if he is victorious this Saturday.

"It has been a target since last season and is a great race that the whole public gets behind and supports and I am very privileged to be a part of it." ," he said.

"It will be a nice thing to win because my grandfather won it and it is the showpiece race in the jump racing calendar.

"It will mean the world to me."

Conditions are likely to be good to soft on Saturday, which Michael says should hold no problems for Monbeg Dude.

"He probably prefers slightly softer ground, but he has run on that type of ground before so it shouldn't be a problem."

Michael Scudamore's Cheltenham Festival-winning horse Next Sensation will also be in action at Aintree.

The eight-year-old charge, owned by county entrepreneur Mark Blandford, will be competing in the Betfred Red Rum Handciap Chase at 4.40pm today.

"It is going to be a difficult race and there will probably be 20 riders in it," said Blandford.

"But the horse is very well and Michael Scudamore could not be more pleased for him.

"We are hoping for another good run."

Venetia Williams, meanwhile will not have any riders in the National after Rigadin de Beauchere and Ballyoliver pulled out.

However, she will be entering Cash and Go in today's two-and-a-half mile Manifesto Novices’ Chase, which kicks off the National weekend at 1.40pm.

There could be success for Williams' main stable jockey, Aidan Coleman, in the National though.

The Irishman, who has a poor record in the showpiece event despite partnering more than 500 career winners, will be aboard the well-fancied The Druids Nephew.