Michael Scudamore expresses Monbeg Dude fitness hope

Michael Scudamore is “quietly hopeful” Monbeg Dude will prove his fitness in time for the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree in April.

The 11-year-old had been a big doubt to make it back to Merseyside after suffering a tendon injury when third in the race last year.

But Scudamore claims the long-range prognosis for the 2013 Welsh National winner is much more encouraging than it had been.