PAT HUGHES is hoping Point Barrow can boost his claims for the John Smith’s Grand National with a good performance in Saturday’s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock.

Dun Doire is likely to begin his build-up to another crack at the John Smith’s Grand National with a run over hurdles at Punchestown on Sunday.

Heltornic, winner of the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock last season, has been retired due to injury.

ASIAN MAZE, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy could clash at Gowran Park on Saturday in a high-class renewal of the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais and Rehearsal Chase winner Neptune Collonges top the weights for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock.

Eurotrek, a general 33-1 chance for the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, has been ruled out of the Aintree marathon after suffering a setback.

Eurotrek, a general 33-1 chance for the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, has been ruled out of the Aintree marathon after suffering a setback.

Graham Lee has picked up the plum ride on L’Aventure in Saturday’s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock.

IRISH mare Asian Maze and Howard Johnson’s No Refuge head the 18 entries for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Iris’s Gift is set to have his prep race for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup next month after connections decided to miss a possible engagement on Saturday.

Peter Marsh Chase winner Ebony Light will continue his John Smith’s Grand National preparations with another run at Haydock next month.

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

Bear On Board is on course to begin his preparation for a second crack at the Grand National by running in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase on Saturday.

English raider Artic Jack heads the weights on 12st for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National on Monday after 30 horses were today declared for the €112,820 contest.

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.

Jonjo O’Neill has confirmed that Paul Carberry has been booked to ride Joss Naylor as he issued an unusually upbeat report on both his intended runners in Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

Tony McCoy suffered the ups and downs with a double and a fall on his return from injury at Ludlow.

ARTIC JACK will have to run “a very big race” in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock on Saturday week if he is to line up for jump racing’s blue riband event at Cheltenham.

Artic Jack will have to run “a very big race” in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock on Saturday week if he is to line up for jump racing’s blue riband event at Cheltenham.

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.

Bindaree has recovered from the after-effects of a crunching fall at Warwick and is on course for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock on February 28.

CORAL Welsh National third Hedgehunter is set to return to Britain for his next outing, according to trainer Willie Mullins.

Ginger McCain’s Martell Cognac Grand National contender Amberleigh House took another step towards Aintree with a gallop at Haydock Park today.

SUPREME GLORY is on course for Saturday’s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock, trainer Pat Murphy confirmed yesterday.