MALCOLM JEFFERSON is praying that King Fontaine finally gets back on the track in this Saturday’s totesport.com Grand National Trial at Haydock.

The eight-year-old, who was allotted 10st6lb when the weights were unveiled for the John Smith’s Grand National in London, has been set to run for quite a while now.

But with the abandonment or racing at Haydock, Doncaster and Wetherby due to the weather over the past month, he has been stuck at home.

King Fontaine is on a roll, having won his last four races – two at Haydock. But Jefferson is hoping his latest 15lb rise doesn’t halt his progress.

He said: “He’s been ready to go for a month, and that is just a niggle at the back of my mind as we’ve had to rein him when each race was called off.

“They are saying the ground is good to soft at the moment and that's fine for him. Graham (Lee) reckons he'll be better on better ground.

“He made some mistakes the last day and Graham thinks that was because the ground was gluey he couldn’t get out of it, so we are hoping the better ground will see him jump better. Hopefully, we’ll finally get to see if the handicapper was right in putting him up 15lb for his last win.

“I have my doubts, but we’ll see.”

HAYDOCK DETAILS: The opening race on Saturday is at 1.45pm, with the finale at 5pm. Admission is £12 into the Newton Enclosure, £20 into Tattersalls, £30 into the County Enclosure, and £45 into the Premier Suite. Accompanied children aged under 18 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls at half price. Further information can be found at www.haydock-park.co.uk where tickets can be purchased in advance. Tickets hotline - 0844 579 3006.