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.

The unveiling of the weights for the Martell Cognac Grand National yesterday produced a host of moves in ante-post markets on the world’s greatest steeplechase.

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

Alan King, Martin Pipe and Nigel Twiston-Davies shared the training honours on the New Year’s Day card at Cheltenham by notching doubles.