TRAINER Robert Alner yesterday revealed that Sir Rembrandt, second and third respectively in the 2004 and 2005 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cups, will miss the John Smith’s Grand National but his participation in the £150,000 Betfair Bowl, run on Thursday, April 7, is still under consideration.

Paul Nicholls is likely to be represented by Thisthatandtother in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree on Thursday week.

MOSCOW FLYER remains on course to complete his Cheltenham Festival build-up in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown later this month.

Owner David Johnson could be double-handed in Saturday’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock with both Therealbandit and It Takes Time.

Tiutchev is on course for a tilt at the new Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase at Cheltenham Festival after returning to the care of trainer Martin Pipe.

Ante-post favourite Celestial Gold hardened at the top of the betting following today’s final declaration stage for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

The most valuable event of the Punchestown Festival, the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup, takes place today.

CHAMPION Hurdle-winning trainer Dessie Hughes, though, reports Timbera, clear favourite at 9-1 with Cashmans, to be bang on course for Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

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

FLORIDA PEARL could be back in action this weekend as he begins his build up to another tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Florida Pearl could be back in action this weekend as he begins his build up to another tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

THIRTY-NINE horses remain in the €170,000 Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

MARTELL Cognac Grand National contender More Than A Stroll is rated only 50-50 to tackle the Aintree showpiece, according to trainer Arthur Moore, writes Pat Keane.

Grand National contender More Than A Stroll is rated only 50-50 to tackle the Aintree showpiece, according to trainer Arthur Moore.

PROSPECTS for this afternoon's eagerly-awaited Leopardstown programme, set to be chockful of Cheltenham clues, are no more than 50-50 according to course manager, Matt O'Dwyer.

Officials at Leopardstown have called an inspection ahead of racing at the track.

THE Martell Grand National could literally be a race in a million in less than five years’ time.

Florida Pearl is rated 1lb superior to Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate in the Anglo-Irish National Hunt classifications.

Florida Pearl heads 16 preliminary entries for the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown on Wednesday.

Ground conditions are likely to decide whether class act Marlborough is allowed to take his chance in the Martell Grand National on Saturday week.

Cyfor Malta could be the surprise package in the Scottish National on April 20, a race in which champion trainer Martin Pipe has 12 possibles.

Sleeping Night, who came within just a length of beating star hurdler Baracouda at Kempton last time, is set to return to fences at Aintree in the Martell Cup Chase on Thursday week.

A leg injury has ruled top French chaser First Gold out of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

This year's Martell Grand National will feature a modern-day record of 144 entries.

See More Business is likely to run again this season despite not appearing among the entries for the Tote Gold Trophy.