Jonjo O’Neill believes ante-post favourite Shutthefrontdoor has been allotted a “fair weight” for this year’s Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree.

Trainer Michael O’Callaghan landed the opening two-year-old maiden in Dundalk last night, not with 13/8 favourite Knoxville Bullet but with the gambled-on debutant Aggression.

Donald McCain has given a guarded welcome to the innovation of new plastic birch for the so-called ‘cores’ of the Grand National fences at Aintree this year.

BALLABRIGGS is set to make his first appearance of the season on Saturday as last year’s John Smith’s Grand National winner is readied for the defence of his Aintree crown.

CHARLIE Mann is sounding bullish ahead of Bench Warrent’s bid for glory in the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick today.

Hennessy Gold Cup winner Carruthers is among a field of 33 to stand their ground at the confirmation stage for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on Tuesday.

West End Rocker was promoted to 14-1 favourite for the Grand National after demonstrating stamina in abundance when winning the Betfred Becher Chase at a rain-sodden Aintree.

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Dessie Hughes feels Vic Venturi and In Compliance are ready to do themselves justice in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.

Midnight Chase and Synchronised are the most notable absentees following the confirmation stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Jack The Bus (9-1) outpointed Glenquest in a hard-fought finish to the Ladbrokes.com Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan this afternoon.

NOTRE PERE will attempt to defy the steadier of 11st 12lb in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree.

Notre Pere will attempt to defy the steadier of 11st 12lb in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree.

SILVER BIRCH, winner of the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National, has been retired following his run at Aintree last week.

NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES is hoping to have six runners in the John Smith’s Grand National as he seeks a third success in the Aintree showpiece.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is hoping to have six runners in the John Smith’s Grand National as he seeks a third success in the Aintree showpiece.

Backstage is all set for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree following his prep race on unsuitable ground at Navan on Saturday when he was last of eight finishers behind Glencove Marina.

DENIS O’REGAN is likely to be back aboard Black Apalachi for the gelding’s third attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National.

Peter Marsh Chase runner-up Palypso De Creek is to be aimed at the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 10.

CHARLIE Longsdon feels today’s Blue Square I-Card Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock represents the perfect opportunity for Palypso De Creek to open his account over fences in Britain.

Nigel Twiston-Davies could be doubly represented in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree with both Hello Bud and Irish Raptor pencilled in for the stamina-sapping contest.

GLENFINN Captain, successful in the race a year ago, can do the business again in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

Dessie Hughes is gearing Black Apalachi's campaign around a second attempt at the John Smith's Grand National.

Ballyholland gave Irish-based trainer Colin McBratney the biggest success of his career when running away with the William Hill Galway Plate today.

Nigel Twiston-Davies reports Hello Bud to be A1 following his victory in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

Wichita Lineman is on course to attempt to follow up his dramatic Cheltenham Festival victory in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.

Charlie Swan has high hopes for his first runner in the John Smith’s Grand National when Offshore Account takes his chance at Aintree tomorrow.

Denis O'Regan has been given the all-clear by a specialist to resume riding next week after results of an MRI scan on his back revealed no vertebrae had been broken.

Denis O’Regan hopes to make it third-time lucky in the John Smith’s Grand National when he rides Black Apalachi in the Aintree marathon on April 4.

Black Apalachi enhanced his Grand National claims with a bold display in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

The entries for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National have been revealed, with last year’s Gold Cup winner Denman the headline act from a total of 123.

Peter Bowen is hoping Snoopy Loopy can say goodbye to handicaps in style in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow.

DESSIE HUGHES has decided to let Hardy Eustace take his chance in Sunday’s Bar-One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

This afternoon’s Becher Chase meeting at Aintree will go ahead as planned as the course escaped the forecast snow.

SAM Thomas is ready to fill the role of super-sub yet again as Ruby Walsh recovers from having his spleen removed – starting with Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

It was business as usual for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh as Cheltenham opened its doors for the winter with the dominant trainer and jockey combining for yet another big-race success.

Mr Pointment will have to defy a welter of statistics if he is to claim John Smith’s Grand National glory at Aintree.

Bewleys Berry enjoyed two encouraging spins around the Grand National course last season and should go well again in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Trainer Richard Phillips hopes recent recruit Pak Jack can make it third-time lucky over the Grand National fences when he lines-up for the totesport.com Becher Chase on Sunday.

PAT HUGHES has reported Point Barrow to be in top shape after his recent exertions as money continues to pour in for the John Smith’s Grand National hope.

Jonjo O’Neill has revealed John Smith’s Grand National regular Clan Royal will have a new partner when he has one last attempt at the Aintree spectacular.

Exotic Dancer and Hedgehunter have been allocated joint top weight of 11st 12lb for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.

TONY McCoy, as expected, has been claimed to partner Clan Royal in the Becher Chase at Aintree and so misses the ride on Brave Inca in the Maplewood Developments Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown tomorrow.

Tanterari is set to bid for a hat-trick in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree.