There is plenty to excite local racing fans at Aintree, not only is the 2012 Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude running in the big event of the day, another horse in training with Michael Scudamore, Next Sensation, will be running in the Mughall Chase.Jockey Paul Carberry will be in the saddle for Saturday's big race and is accustomed to success having ridden Bobbyjo to victory in 1999 and rode Monbeg Dude to success in the Welsh National in 2012.

Monbeg Dude was priced at 20-1 last Wednseday but is now 16-1 and gaining favour at the bookies all the time.

Stable mate of the Dude, Next Sensation, who will be running in another big race at Aintree on Saturday, also has an interesting history.

Owner Mark Blandford is Herefordshire born and bred, and the horse was bought at a Brightwells auction after being used at point to points in Ireland. He sent him for training at the Scudamore stable as there is a long history between the families and their love of horse racing.

Mark Blandford told the Ross Gazette that he does not think Micahel is getting enough of the credit for how he has brought on Monbeg Dude or for sorting out Next Sensation's problems.

He said: "Next Sensation is possibly the most improved horse in training this season, and Michael is responsible for all the grunt work with Monbeg Dude although, no doubt, it has helped having input from Zara Phillips, wife of Mike Tindall, and her team at Gatcombe.See full reports about Monbeg Dude and Next Sensation in this week's Ross Gazette