Evan Williams believes he has State Of Play back to his best as he prepares the 2006 Hennessy winner for Saturday's John Smith's Grand National.

The nine-year-old has been kept fresh for the race by Williams, winning a thrilling renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase on his seasonal bow in November before returning to Wetherby to finish fourth in the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day.

"He's been confirmed today and the Grand National has always been my target as it is one of these big handicaps during the spring. He has to be fresh and that's why he hasn't run since Christmas," said Vale of Glamorgan-based trainer Williams.

"It was only when the weights came out that I talked to (owners) Mr and Mrs Rucker and said that it looked the ideal race for him.

"Mrs Rucker hadn't set her heart on running in the race, but he is very, very well and as good as I've ever had him and it's like training a different animal when he's fresh. The ground makes no odds as he has form on easy ground and faster ground and he goes on anything.

"It's not the ground – having him fresh and in the right frame of mind is the most important thing.

"He worked on Thursday and it was as good a work as when he worked before he won the Charlie Hall. He's right back where I want him to be at his best."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has yet to saddle a National winner but looks to have probably his best chance to date with a four-strong team from his Ditcheat stables – My Will, Eurotrek, Big Fella Thanks and Cornish Sett – entered for the race.

Ante-post favourite My Will is the choice of Nicholls' stable jockey Ruby Walsh, who is a two-time Grand National winner with Papillon (2000) and Hedgehunter (2005)

Walsh's sister and agent Jennifer said: "Ruby is going to ride My Will. He said with the ground the way it is (good), he thinks it will suit him."

Following the news of Walsh's decision, Paddy Power cut the odds on the Andy Stewart-owned gelding to 8-1 from 9-1.

Donald McCain's Cloudy Lane heads the weights after the latest forfeit stage, with last year's sixth-placed horse set to carry 11st 10lb.

Last year's winner Comply Or Die stands his ground and Nicholashayne trainer David Pipe's runner will attempt to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum (1973 and '74), trained by McCain's father Ginger, to land back-to-back victories.

As expected, Roll Along, King Johns Castle and Character Building were among the absentees as a total of 74 horses remain in the world's most famous steeplechase.

However, only the top 40 in the handicap can run.

Kilbeggan Blade completed his preparation for the big race by jumping a National-style fence at trainer Tom George's yard yesterday morning.

"Everything's going according to plan. He had his last school this morning over a National fence and thoroughly enjoyed that. He's ready for it," said the Stroud-based handler.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: "Last year's favourites went off at 7-1 and I confidently predict that My Will be shorter than that at the off.

"Ruby on board will attract all of his admirers and as I said two weeks ago, everyone knows a William or Bill."

John Smith's Grand National – Paddy Power bet: 8-1 My Will, 10-1 Butler's Cabin, Rambling Minster, 12-1 War Of Attrition, 14-1 Black Apalachi, 16-1 Big Fella Thanks, Hear The Echo, Comply Or Die, Irish Invader, Southern Vic, State Of Play, 18-1 L'Ami, 20-1 Kilbeggan Blade, Darkness, 25-1 Snowy Morning, Himalayan Trail, Cornish Sett, Brooklyn Brownie, Parsons Legacy, 33-1 bar.