Hussard Collonges, who sidestepped a trip to Ireland on Sunday, will not have another outing before the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup but will make a couple of racecourse visits as part of his Festival build up.

Hussard Collonges, who sidestepped a trip to Ireland today, will not have another outing before the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup but will make a couple of racecourse visits as part of his Festival build up.

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.

Barryscourt Lad, winner of the skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster on Saturday, looks set to miss the rest of the season after returning home lame.

Kieran Kelly was the star of the show at Punchestown when riding a 359-1 treble on Mutineer, What’s The Score and Berkley.

Last year’s Martell Grand National runner-up What’s Up Boys is continuing his rehabilitation after an operation on a leg injury.

Ferdy Murphy has mapped out January targets for three of his top handicap chasers, Ballinclay King, Paris Pike and Historg.

Henrietta Knight is preparing an assault on the big staying chases this spring with Chives and Southern Star.

PAT EDDERY makes his first visit of the winter to Wolverhampton today determined to ride the one winner he needs on the last day of the year to give him a 28th domestic century.

There's simply no stopping Tony McCoy.

MINI SENSATION rose to the occasion to land a gamble in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow yesterday.

Aintree hero Red Marauder is on course to return to action in a staying hurdle at Newbury on Saturday after working on Redcar beach.

REHEARSALS may be one thing, but even the most experienced performers can suffer first night nerves.

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

WHEN Paul Carbery steered Bobbyjo to victory in the Martell Grand National in 1999 there was more than an element of DNA symmetry to the performance.

Paul Carberry is set to renew his association with Frenchman’s Creek in the £125,000 (€200,000) attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown Park on Saturday.

What’s Up Boys and Blowing Wind could both be heading to Sandown for the Gold Cup on April 27 and they will be hoping to land the £100,000 (€163,000) bonus which is on offer.

Irish trainer Arthur Moore has reported Lyreen Wonder to be sore after the gelding came to grief at the 20th fence in Saturday’s Martell Grand National.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Paris Pike can gain quick compensation for his early exit at Aintree on Saturday in the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr later this month.

Kingsmark was described as ‘‘stiff and sore’’ after his gallant fourth in the Martell Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Officials at Aintree said the Martell Grand National was attended by 63,500 people, smashing the previous Saturday record of 59,794 two years ago.

Bindaree (20-1) produced a tremendous fight back to deny What’s Up Boys in a dramatic Martell Grand National at Aintree today.

Tony McCoy breathed a sigh of relief after being declared fit to ride in the Martell Grand National.

No horses were withdrawn from the Martell Grand National at the final declaration stage.

Tony McCoy faces a nervous few hours before a decision can be made over his participation in tomorrow’s Martell Grand National.

Martin Pipe, who saddles eight runners in tomorrow’s Martell Grand National, today told why he is so keen to win the big race for a second time, having scored with Miinnehoma in 1994.

One-time favourite Moor Lane has failed to make the cut by two for Saturday’s Martell Grand National at today’s final 48-hour declaration stage.

Ominously for punters in the week of the Martell Grand National, the recent trend for shocks in big handicaps is showing no sign of coming to an end.

Flags at Aintree, the venue for the Martell Grand National on Saturday, are flying at half-mast following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Mark Pitman is hoping to uphold the family tradition in Saturday’s Martell Grand National.

Ted Walsh may have ruled Papillon out of next weekend’s Martell Grand National at Aintree, thereby foregoing the chance of recording a quick double from his charge in the marathon event.

Martell Grand National hope Gunner Welburn pleased connections in a getting-to-know-you schooling session with big-race jockey Tony Dobbin.

Tony McCoy has failed to make racing history this afternoon after a return to action at Exeter.

Lingfield Park’s new race, which could figure as Johannesburg’s prep-run for the Kentucky Derby, will be called the Foster’s - International Trial Stakes.

Owner Major Ivan Straker is under no illusions about what it takes to win the Martell Grand National, having watched his The Tsarevich finish second to Maori Venture in 1987.

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

Niki Dee is set to head for the Martell Grand National without the benefit of a prep race, it was revealed today.

Ginger McCain called for a change to the entry conditions for the Martell Grand National after watching Ebony Light confirm that the stable’s fortunes have changed for the better with a wide-margin win in the Tote Placepot Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter.

Second favourite Supreme Glory has been ruled out of the Martell Grand National.

Aidan O’Brien’s Johannesburg looks set to make a surprise reappearance in the unlikely surrounds of Lingfield Park next month.

Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival by landing the Sunderlands Imperial Cup Hurdle with Polar Red at Sandown.

Jimmy Frost hung up his riding boots on a winning note after Bohill Lad landed the Exeter Racecourse Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.