WILLIE MULLINS has been pleased with the preparation of his two Martell Cognac Grand National challengers, long-time ante-post favourite Hedgehunter and Alexander Banquet.

FOLLOWING the defections of Rince Ri and Timbera earlier this week from Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National at Liverpool, Jimmy Mangan yesterday issued an upbeat bulletin on last year’s Aintree hero, Monty’s Pass.

Connections of Monty’s Pass are expecting the 11-year-old to make a bold bid to repeat last year’s memorable victory in the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday.

A total of 61 horses remain in the Martell Cognac Grand National at today’s five-day confirmation stage.

Trainer Howard Johnson has expressed some concern about the health of his string ahead of this week’s Martell Cognac Grand National meeting at Aintree.

Ante-post gamble Rince Ri has been ruled out of the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

MACS GILDORAN was the only surprise withdrawal from the Martell Cognac Grand National at yesterday's forfeit stage, leaving a total of 77 entries remaining in the race a week on Saturday.

Takagi booked his ticket for the Martell Cognac Grand National with an impressive victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Sue Smith’s Artic Jack, one of the front-runners in the betting for the Martell Cognac Grand National, could well take his chance in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy’s observation after he had virtually lifted Control Man over the line in the European Breeders Fund ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Qualifier at Fontwell today said it all.

Ballybough Rasher, winner of the Charlie Hall Chase last November, has been ruled out for the season.

TED WALSH is planning a double assault on the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree on April 3.

Hedgehunter staked a strong claim for the Martell Cognac Grand National with a brilliant round of jumping to win the Goulding Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park today.

What’s Up Boys, off the track since injuring a hock at Wetherby 18 months ago, is on course to return to action next month as he starts his build-up for another crack at the Martell Cognac Grand National.

Gunner Welburn, fourth in last season’s Martell Cognac Grand National, is on course for another crack at the Aintree marathon following his return to winning form in a dramatic skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby yesterday.

PRIZE money for this season’s Martell Cognac Grand National meeting will top £2m for the first time.

Peter Bowen revealed today that he would love to run his in-form chaser Swansea Bay in the Martell Cognac Grand National.

FOXCHAPEL KING heads the 26 entries left in the attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday following yesterday’s confirmation stage.

A field of 23, headed by Aintree absentee Davids Lad, will go to post for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

A field of 23, headed by Aintree absentee Davids Lad, will go to post for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Moscow Flyer could meet four of his old foes in the Grade One BMW Chase at Punchestown on April 29.

Moscow Flyer could meet four of his old foes in the Grade One BMW Chase at Punchestown on April 29.

SHOTGUN WILLY was yesterday confirmed on course for the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National

SHOTGUN WILLY has been declared for Saturday’s Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr but is likely to miss the race, according to owner Graham Roach.

Connections of ante-post gamble Youlneverwalkalone declared themselves happy with the ground at Aintree ahead of the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday.

Aintree enjoyed another rain-free night ahead of the start of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting this afternoon.

The weights for the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday look set to rise by 2lbs following the declaration of top-weight Marlborough to run at Aintree tomorrow.

PUNTERS latched onto Chives yesterday for the Martell Cognac Grand National, with Coral forced to cut the eight-year-old’s odds to 9-1 third favourite from 11-1.

DAVIDS LAD’S owners have accepted defeat in their courtroom action to allow their horse to run in next Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

The going remains good on all three courses at Aintree as watering continues ahead of next week’s Martell Cognac Grand National meeting.

Trainer Ted Walsh will leave it until later in the week before making a decision on Papillon’s participation in the Martell Cognac Grand National.

CONNECTIONS of Davids Lad must wait until today to discover whether Ireland's main fancy for the Martell Cognac Grand National will be allowed to run at Aintree next month.

DAVIDS LAD cannot run at Cheltenham today after the Turf Club succeeded in having last Thursday’s court stay temporarily lifted at the High Court in Dublin yesterday.

Davids Lad cannot run at Cheltenham tomorrow after the Irish Turf Club succeeded in having last Thursday’s court stay temporarily lifted at the High Court in Dublin today.

A decision on Davids Lad's participation at Cheltenham is expected at about 2.30pm.

LIMESTONE LAD is reported in good form after his first piece of serious work yesterday since contracting the cough.

Golden Cross is a best-priced 12-1 chance for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month following an impressive victory Fairyhouse this afternoon in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.

With a record 67 horses in the handicap proper this year, the Martell Cognac Grand National looks set to be an even more competitive event than usual.

FLORIDA PEARL may have to wait another year before taking his chance in the Martell Cognac Grand National, despite his apparently favourable treatment at the hands of the handicapper ahead of this year’s running of the world’s most famous jump race.