HEREFORDSHIRE trainer Michael Scudamore says it's "all systems go" as the countdown to this year's Crabbie's Grand National starts in earnest.

Scudamore will once again be putting his faith on Monbeg Dude, who finished seventh at Aintree last year.

The 10-year-old horse is in good form having finished second in the thrill-mile handicap at Chepstow in October and fourth in the Hennesy Gold up at Newbury the following month.

He was last seen when beaten when beaten by eight-and-a-half lengths into fourth place at the Welsh National in Chepstow on December 27.

Monbeg Dude is part owned by former England rugby player Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter.

"Monbeg Dude is in really good form and it is all systems go for Aintree," said Scudamore, who trains at Eccleswall Court Stables in Bromsash, near Ross-on-Wye.

"I have been delighted with him so far this season.

"He has just bumped into a couple of better horses on the day.

"He carried a lot of weight in the Welsh National, which probably didn't help him, but he still ran his race.

"We have got nothing set in stone for him between now and Aintree.

Entries for the Crabbie's Grand National were due to be revealed yesterday afternoon.