Paul Nicholls extended his lead over Willie Mullins in a pulsating duel for the British trainers’ championship when enjoying a 54th birthday 20-1 four-timer at Wincanton yesterday.

Vics Canvas is set to carry on racing next season after defying his teenage years with an amazing effort in the Crabbie’s Grand National.

AP McCoy calls time on the most successful career in the history of jump racing today and I would have made sure I was in Sandown for it to join in on the celebrations, whether I had a ride or not, writes Ruby Walsh

AP McCoy is likely to be more sought-after than ever as he unexpectedly became available for a ride in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on the final day of the jumps season.

Nicky Henderson is in no rush to make what he describes as a “very difficult decision” as to whether to let Sprinter Sacre line up in the Bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase at Sandown later this month.

Sara Bradstock has confirmed Coneygree will not run again this season as he paraded in front of an adoring crowd at Newbury.

Hurricane Fly is likely to have a stablemate or two for company in the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Scottish-based trainer Alistair Whillans is keeping his fingers crossed Samstown can provide him with a first winner at Cheltenham in the Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase this afternoon.

Willie Mullins expects Annie Power to return to full training following the busy Christmas period after scans revealed her injuries were not as bad as first feared.

The Young Master will try to turn over a few elder statesmen when going for the hat-trick in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton today.

Leading Irish owner Barry Connell has replaced Danny Mullins with Adrian Heskin as his retained jockey.

Jim Culloty is planning to let his Cheltenham hero Spring Heeled line up in Saturday’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown – as long as he does not have to carry top-weight.

Shark Hanlon is keeping his fingers crossed there is some ease in the ground at the Punchestown Festival later this month ahead of Hidden Cyclone’s intended appearance in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase.

Baby Run bids to make a fairytale comeback from a lengthy lay-off and give trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies a sixth success in the Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree today.

Willie Mullins has had a tremendously successful Punchestown Festival and holds strong claims in a number of races this afternoon, but the champion trainer will have one eye on Sandown this afternoon when Away We Go takes in the bet365 Gold Cup.

Tidal Bay heads a final field of 19 runners for tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

There are several important reasons for Le Beau Bai to head to Sandown with a decent chance in today’s Bet365 Gold Cup.

Sandown have named a race in honour of the late Josh Gifford.

Grand National-winning rider Graham Lee is looking forward to a new career on the Flat after the shock announcement he is to switch codes.

Poker De Sivola came from last to first to give trainer Ferdy Murphy a second success in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

LAST year’s winner Church Island is in a field of 25 left in the bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday.

NOEL Meade is more worried about Pandorama’s limited experience over fences than the lack of a recent run heading into the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup next week.

Kauto Star features among the 90 entries for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 23.

ALEX HALES is planning a crack at the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National with recent Ascot winner Iconoclast.

HE may only be in the early days of a hugely promising career, but Adrian Heskin is unlikely to forget this weekend in a hurry.

Veteran Church Island defied his advancing years to create a 20-1 surprise in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

Philip Hobbs feels Fairoak Lad could be the pick of his trio in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown tomorrow.

Jason Maguire crowned his best ever season when reaching a century for the first time on Nedzer's Return, the middle leg of a 155-1 treble at Perth.

Leighton Aspell stepped in for the spare ride aboard Briery Fox and guided the 12-year-old from last to first in the Independent Newspaper Veterans' Handicap Chase at Ascot today.

Captain Chris put up a performance with 'class' written all over it when taking a couple of useful scalps in the Gloucestershire Trainers Championship Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

DENMAN is likely to head to Punchestown after being ruled out of Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National.

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.

MICHAEL Hourigan is confident the step up in trip will not trouble Dancing Tornado in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

The Sawyer enjoyed a day’s hunting in his build-up for his next race at Aintree in two weeks’ time.

KAUTO STAR has been scratched from the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 24.

Kilcrea Castle is to miss both Cheltenham and Aintree following a disappointing run in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

Hennessy, one of the leading fancies for Saturday’s Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster, has been ruled out after sustaining a season-ending injury.

SNOOPY Loopy is reported to be in fine shape for the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby today as he bids to land his first success since the Betfair Chase.

MICHAEL Hourigan expects another bold show from Church Island (above), despite the burden of top weight, in Sunday’s Ladbrokes.com Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick.

Hennessy could be aimed at Newbury’s valuable staying handicap chase that shares his name following his dramatic victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup.

On the day they were crowned champions of their profession again, Paul Nicholls and Tony McCoy landed the big two winners on the final day of the jumping season at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls nominated Kauto Star’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph as his highlight of the 2008-9 National Hunt season while collecting his fourth consecutive champion trainer award.