Ante-post favourite Cloudy Lane features among a maximum field of 40 declared for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

PAUL Nicholls is doing his best to secure the services of Ruby Walsh for Turko, whom he fancies “quite strongly” for the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday.

Kauto Star is only 2lbs clear of stablemate Neptune Collonges for the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after the duo finished behind Denman last week.

TONY MARTIN’S worst fears were realised yesterday morning when his ante-post favourite for this afternoon’s Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, Dun Doire, failed to make the line up and is first reserve.