WENSLEYDALE trainer Ferdy Murphy has insisted uncertainty surrounding Joes Edge's participation in tomorrow's Grand National has not affected the ten-year-old's preparation for the race.

Despite being backed down to outright favouritism for the Aintree marathon, Joes Edge was only confirmed as a definite runner at yesterday's final declaration stage.

The former Scottish National winner, who defied odds of 50-1 to land the William Hill Trophy at this year's Cheltenham Festival, crept into the race as the 39th declared runner after Fota Island, Armaturk and Iris Royal all dropped out.

The long wait has done little to affect market confidence in Joes Edge, with odds of around 25-1 now nothing more than a memory to bookmakers who already stand to lose almost half-a-million-pounds if Murphy's horse wins.

While the last two weeks have hardly been without their worries, the West Witton-based handler insists Joes Edge's chances have not been affected by the close call.

"It would obviously have been very disappointing if he had missed out, and it's good to have this confirmed," said Murphy, whose stable jockey, Graham Lee, won the National on board Amberleigh House in 2004. "But all his training has been geared towards him getting a run.

"He came out of his Cheltenham race really well and, since then, he's been absolutely bouncing whenever we've done anything with him at home.

"By last weekend we were pretty confident that he was going to get a run, and it's exciting to think he's going to be going to Aintree in the best possible shape.

"The ground is right for him, he's got an excellent jockey on board, and now it's just a case of waiting to see what happens."

Bewleys Berry, trained by Howard Johnson, is the only other confirmed entry from North Yorkshire and the North-East and has also come in for steady support in recent days.

The Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old, who finished second over the National fences in last year's Becher Chase, is a 22-1 shot.

"We've always thought we might have a National horse on our hands with him," said Wylie.

The list of North-Eastern jockeys includes Stockton-born Andrew Thornton.

He will partner 14-1 shot Simon after missing out on last year's race at the last minute when his prospective mount, Sir Rembrandt, pulled up lame.

As expected, former winner Hedgehunter heads the 40 declared runners.

The 11-year-old will carry 11st 12lb, and is one of four contenders for trainer Willie Mullins, who also saddles Homer Wells, Livingstonebramble and Bothar Na.

Other leading Irish fancies include last year's winner Numbersixvalverde, and leading ante-post fancies Dun Doire and Point Barrow.