LE COUDRAY is the new top-weight for the John Smith’s Grand National after 85 horses were confirmed at yesterday’s five-day stage for Saturday’s Aintree spectacular.

Le Coudray heads a list of 85 horses confirmed at today’s five-day stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Le Coudray heads the 39 entries remaining in the €250,000 Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National following today’s forfeit stage.

MICHAEL HOURIGAN yesterday received a welcome boost ahead of Beef Or Salmon’s crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup when saddling his first winner for two months.

BEEF OR SALMON heads 68 entries for Ireland’s richest jumps race, the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

Beef Or Salmon heads 68 entries for Ireland’s richest jumps race, the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on March 28.

Hardy Eustace, winner of last year’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle, is one of nine preliminary entries for Saturday’s Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran.

WHAT’SONYOURMIND booked his ticket to the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when making a successful debut, in very testing conditions, at Navan yesterday.

What’s Up Boys heads a 19-runner field for the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday following today’s final declaration stage.

CASHMANS have dipped their toes in the ante-post market for the €180,000 Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown next Wednesday.

THE Willie Mullins trained Alexander Banquet heads the weights for Saturday’s Betfred Gold Cup after 23 were left in the Sandown showpiece at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins will delay making a decision on the participation of Rule Supreme and Alexander Banquet in the Betfred Gold Cup until later in the week.

Amberleigh House was reported to be in top form this morning after his memorable victory in the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree yesterday.

Hedgehunter could run again this season despite suffering a heavy fall in the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree yesterday.

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.

Following the defection of First Gold at today’s final declaration stage, the weights for the Martell Cognac Grand National will go up 3lb to leave Le Coudray at the top of the handicap for Saturday’s race.

IT is two minutes after 2.30pm when Jacqui Jenner leads Best Mate into the pre-parade ring.

Edward O’Grady reports Takagi to be on course for the Martell Cognac Grand National after his victory at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Takagi booked his ticket for the Martell Cognac Grand National with an impressive victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Willie Mullins is juggling his options for the Racing Post Chase on Saturday week as he prepares a strong-looking team for this year’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

Veteran chaser Florida Pearl heads a field of seven for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

JOHN MAGNIER and J P McManus found themselves on the opposite side of the fence at Clonmel yesterday.

EIGHT horses remain in Sunday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, headed by last year’s winner, Beef Or Salmon.

Keen Leader, seen by many as the main danger to Best Mate recording an historic third success in chasing’s blue riband at Cheltenham in March, has been installed a hot favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup on Sunday week.

THE presence of Alexander Banquet in this afternoon’s Thyestes ’Chase at Gowran Park has reduced the field to just ten, with most trainers deciding there was no point running horses from well out of the handicap.

Connections of Be My Belle are confident of a bold show from the mare as she goes in search of back-to-back victories in the Goulding Thyestes Handicap Chase tomorrow.

SOLERINA is far from a certain runner in Sunday’s AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Beef Or Salmon has recovered from a slight setback and is on course for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer Willie Mullins could be double-handed in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown a week on Sunday.

Leading Irish stayer Alexander Banquet, trained by Willie Mullins, will miss the rest of this season through injury, it was revealed today.

Willie Mullins plundered two Grade One prizes with Florida Pearl and Davenport Milenium on the second day of the Punchestown Festival.

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

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.

Willie Mullins today started the build-up to the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with his star duo Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet.

Adrian Maguire has been confirmed as Florida Pearl’s jockey in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Florida Pearl, the outstanding favourite to win today’s Hennessy Gold Cup, finished a disappointing fourth place at Leopardstown today.

Florida Pearl will bid for an historic fourth successive win in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup as racing finally resumes at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Florida Pearl has been backed to take his fourth win in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Ireland’s leading chaser Florida Pearl could yet take his chance in the Martell Grand National at Aintree on April 6.

Florida Pearl heads the weights for the Martell Grand National.

Florida Pearl is among eight five-day entries for Sunday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

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

Florida Pearl, winner of the Pertemps King George VI Chase, heads trainer Willie Mullins’ three entries in the Ritz Club Ascot Chase.