Rain required for Oakey

Part-owned by Dame Judi Dench, the six-year-old will be bidding for his second win in the race having taken the honours in 2008.

He won the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes later that season, but found life hard thereafter – and Tompkins is hoping that after finally being given some respite by the handicapper he can show his old sparkle.

''He's come down a bit from his peak when he won the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard, from 110 to 97, so we thought we'd have another go,'' said Tompkins.

''More rain would always help us a bit and it looks like there are some more bands of rain coming in so at this stage he's a definite runner.

''Last year he was very high up the handicap and he's not a very big horse so he found life tough, he's quite ground dependent too.

''He's just naturally come down the weights, it hasn't been a big plan and we've been trying to win races with him, but when you have that rating you are always running in expensive races.

''We've also got Marvo, he won't get in the Lincoln but he might get in the Spring Mile.

''He improved all last year and I'll be hoping he has another good year, but he hasn't quite come in his coat like I'd want him to.

''He's in good enough form and I'm hoping he'll have a good enough season again. He likes a bit of easier ground but he did win at Doncaster last year on fastish ground. He's a horse we've always liked.

''He's rated 82 which would have got in the Lincoln easy enough in the old days, but these days to get into any of these heritage handicaps you've got to be rated 90-plus.''

Last year's winner Mon Mome features among 75 horses remaining in the John Smith's Grand National following the latest entry stage.

The 10-year-old landed the Aintree spectacular as a 100-1 shot last season, but will be a fraction of those odds this time having finished a fantastic third in last week's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run is a notable scratching but both Madison du Berlais and Notre Pere remain at the head of the weights with 11st 10lb.

Mon Mome will carry 11st 7lb should those two stand their ground – but trainer Venetia Williams will not be too concerned if the weights rise.

''At the end of the day, it's only a matter of 3lb, it's not the be all and end all,'' said Williams.

''A horse can fall, you are always afraid of getting hampered, you never know what might happen.

''Three pounds is not a major difference in the great scheme of things.

''His preparation has gone a lot better than it did last year and we have got a blueprint to follow.

''We were all very buoyed by what we saw him do at Cheltenham."