As the market intensifies ahead of the

Grand National at Aintree, the money has come for Monbeg Dude.

Part-owned by former England rugby union player Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, the nine-year-old is a former winner of the Welsh National and landed a competitive handicap at Cheltenham earlier in the season.

His price was cut across the board, with William Hill as low as 10-1 from 14-1 following what was described as a "wave of support" with the form expecting him to challenge for favouritism with Teaforthree on Saturday.

Betfred cut Michael Scudamore's charge to 12-1 from 16-1 and Coral 14-1 from 16-1.

"I couldn't tell you where the money is coming from," Scudamore said.

"He's in the best shape we've ever had him, but this race more than any other is the one in which you need plenty of luck.

"Paul (Carberry) sat on him during Cheltenham week and popped him over a Grand National fence then."

"We were expecting a move to back Monbeg Dude with his famous connections appealing to the public, but the heavyweight punters have also come in for him," a William Hill spokesman said.

"We've seen an increase in the flow of money for the horse and also some significant wagers. It seems inevitable that he will challenge Teaforthree for favouritism."

The weather is unsettled ahead of the opening day of the Aintree festival on Thursday.