Former Grand National hero Ballabriggs tops a total of 17 entries for Saturday’s StanJames Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Chase at Newbury.

John Smith’s Grand National handicapper Phil Smith has defended his decision to allot leading contender Seabass a burden of 11st 2lb in the Aintree showpiece.

Ireland are odds-on to claim their first John Smith’s Grand National in six years following the first entry stage for the Aintree showpiece.

Three races in France are among the possible options for Solwhit following his victory at Naas on Saturday.

Synchronised, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, suffered a fatal injury when falling at Becher's Brook in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree, owner JP McManus said.

Jonjo O’Neill is confident his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Synchronised is in the form of his life as he bids to follow up in today’s John Smith’s Grand National.

Just like 39 of my colleagues, I am very much looking forward to the Grand National at Aintree today.

Synchronised will complete his John Smith’s Grand National preparations with a pipeopener today ahead of the Aintree spectacular on Saturday.

Nina Carberry bids to become the first female rider to win the John Smith’s Grand National when she partners Organisedconfusion at Aintree on Saturday for her uncle, trainer Arthur Moore.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised is becoming increasingly likely to take his chance in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next Saturday.

The first four home from Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase are all entered in what promises to be a memorable renewal of the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on April 24.

With the Grand National itself now less than a fortnight away, Donald McCain and Jason Maguire warmed up for the world’s most famous steeplechase as Chamirey landed the Sean Magee’s Full Set Durham National at Sedgefield.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is keen for Synchronised to attempt to become just the second horse in history to land the John Smith’s Grand National and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season.

Donald McCain reports Grand National hero Ballabriggs in rude health following his encouraging comeback performance at Kelso yesterday.

BALLABRIGGS is set to make his first appearance of the season on Saturday as last year’s John Smith’s Grand National winner is readied for the defence of his Aintree crown.

John Smith’s Grand National favourite Junior is likely to have his first run of the season at Newbury on Friday as he builds up to the greatest race of them all.

David Pipe feels ante-post favourite Junior has “enough weight” in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14.

Shark Hanlon expects Alfa Beat to be his first runner in the John Smith’s Grand National.

BALLABRIGGS is about to have his work schedule stepped up a gear in preparation for one or two outings before bidding for back-to-back successes in the John Smith’s Grand National.

TAKE a chance on Rathlin in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles this afternoon.

Liverpool Cathedral was filled with heart-felt memories of one of racing’s greatest characters as a thousand-strong congregation celebrated the life and times of Ginger McCain.

Racing pundit John McCririck believes the sport has missed an ideal opportunity to boost its image in the UK by failing to ban hitting horses with the whip.

Aintree legend Ginger McCain, trainer of the great Red Rum, has died aged 80, his wife Beryl McCain has said in a statement.

FAME AND GLORY and Rite Of Passage feature among 12 possible runners in Sunday’s Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.

THERE is no denying that the Grand National at Aintree a week ago represented a bad day for National Hunt racing.

Gordon Elliott plans to run Backstage in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 25.

DONALD MCCAIN already has one eye on next year’s John Smith’s Grand National with Ballabriggs following his brilliant display in the race on Saturday.

Donald McCain already has one eye on next year’s John Smith’s Grand National with Ballabriggs following his brilliant display in the race yesterday.

John Smith’s Grand National hero Jason Maguire has given up his rides at Ludlow today to recover from the injuries he sustained at Aintree on Thursday.

Ballabriggs was an emotional winner of the John Smith's Grand National for Donald McCain, son of Aintree legend Ginger McCain, the trainer of Red Rum.

GRAND National-winning jockey Robbie Power believes the bookmakers have got it wrong regarding his mount Killyglen in Saturday’s John Smith’s sponsored spectacular at Aintree.

Midnight Chase and Synchronised are the most notable absentees following the confirmation stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

LAST YEAR’S winner Don’t Push It heads 74 remaining entries for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9.

Leading John Smith’s Grand National contender Ballabriggs had to settle for second in the totesport.com Premier Chase at Kelso as Skippers Brig spoiled the party.

Entries for the 11 handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival have been unveiled.

TONY McCOY admits he faces a difficult decision whether to stick with Don’t Push It as his ride in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree in April.

Donald McCain had “no complaints” after ante-post favourite Ballabriggs was allotted a weight of 11st in the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National.

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls and the Cheltenham Festival’s winning-most jockey, Ruby Walsh, pulled suffering punters out of a hole as Big Buck’s obliged as the 5-6 favourite in yesterday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle.