MILLIONAIRE Fergus Wilson has entered four horses in the Grand National, the greatest steeplechase in the world, on Saturday.

Barring injury, Astonville and Turnium are certain to be in the starting line-up at Aintree, but Present Bleu and Wild Tempo will only make the final 40 if others drop out. Another French-bred horse Solarius was also entered, but has had to withdraw because of leg trouble.

All are priced at 100-1 by bookmakers totesport, but Wilson is unconcerned. "Professional punters steer clear of the National because it never ever goes to form," he said.

Wilson, a retired maths teacher from Boughton Monchelsea, was a prop for Maidstone Rugby Club 30 years ago and, if all four run, they will carry the club’s red, white and black colours.

A party from the rugby club, in the club’s distinctive blazers and ties, will be going to Liverpool to add support and, if everything goes to plan, will be interviewed on BBC TV before the race.

Wilson intends attracting worldwide publicity for Maidstone from the race that is expected to attract a TV audience of 60 million.

"I intend to fly the flag for Maidstone and hope that an awful lot of people will have a bit of fun with a 50p bet," said Wilson.

Astonville, according to Wilson his best hope, is expected to be ridden by top jockey Tom Scudamore, although no decision has yet been made.

Scudamore’s grandfather Michael trains all four horses in Ross-on-Wye and, as a jockey, won the National on Oxo in 1959.

Astonville ran in the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and by competing in the National will be achieving something of an unusual treble that is sure to feature in Trivial Pursuit questions in the future.

Astonville finished 10th in the Gold Cup, beating five others in the process. "He jumped well and fluently and could have gone round again," said Wilson.

Both Astonville and Turnium have been preparing for the race by swimming at Cheltenham. To prepare tham for the race a special National fence has been erected at the Ross-on-Wye stables.

James Davies is due to be on Turnium while Nina Carberry and top French woman jockey Nathelie De Soutter are the likely riders for Wild Tempo and Present Bleu.

Wilson has had runners in the National for the last six years. and his best finish was 14th in 1999 with Back Bar. Last year Mantle’s Prince, jointly owner by Wilson and the late England footballer Emlyn Hughes, pulled up.

Wilson will be bidding for a Grand National double as his Maidstone Monarch won the pigeon version in Pau, France in 1974.