Rince Ri was today the subject of a big ante-post plunge for the Martell Cognac Grand National.

Connections of Kingsmark are praying for soft ground to allow the grey to take his chance in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.

NICKY HENDERSON is considering his options for Fondmort after entering the impressive Paddy Power Gold Cup winner in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

All the leading fancies for next week’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury have stood their ground at the latest forfeit stage.

Jockey Ruby Walsh was out of luck on his comeback at Fairyhouse today after eight-weeks on the sidelines.

PAUL NICHOLLS yesterday confirmed that he intends to run all three of his contenders in Saturday’s £150,000 attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls is hoping the Martell Cognac Grand National has not left its mark on Montifault as he prepares for a tilt at the final big race of the jumps season.

FOXCHAPEL KING heads the 26 entries left in the attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday following yesterday’s confirmation stage.

Irish contenders at the Grand National.

Bright sunshine greeted the early arrivals at Aintree racecourse today ahead of the of the Martell Cognac Grand National.

PUNTERS latched onto Chives yesterday for the Martell Cognac Grand National, with Coral forced to cut the eight-year-old’s odds to 9-1 third favourite from 11-1.

The Irish struck again in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase with Youlneverwalkalone.

IT WILL be some show in the winning enclosure this afternoon if Rhinestone Cowboy wins the Champion Hurdle.

CONNECTIONS of Davids Lad will have their appeal heard at the Irish Turf Club next Monday at 3pm as they bid to overturn a punishment that would rule their horse out of the Martell Cognac Grand National.

With a record 67 horses in the handicap proper this year, the Martell Cognac Grand National looks set to be an even more competitive event than usual.

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.

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.

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

Martin Pipe’s Bounce Back heads the ante-post betting for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 30.

Tony McCoy claimed a thrilling victory on Martin Pipe's Bounce Back over stable companion Dark Stranger in the inaugural running of the Attheraces Gold Cup.

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.

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.

A field of 15 is set to go to post for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton tomorrow, with Norman Mason’s Red Striker now heading the handicap on 12st.

Doubts may surround many of the contenders for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton but punters are certainly sure about the horse to be on if early betting exchanges on the €147,000 contest are anything to go by.

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

Mick Fitzgerald today lost his appeal against suspension and will miss Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.