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.

PAT HUGHES is hoping Point Barrow can boost his claims for the John Smith’s Grand National with a good performance in Saturday’s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock.

WILLIE Mullins fears John Smith’s Grand National talking horse Snowy Morning has been harshly treated by the handicapper – despite bookmakers thrusting him to favouritism for the Aintree showpiece.

Snowy Morning is now the 10-1 clear favourite for the John Smith’s Grand National following the publication of the weights.

Denman is likely to face a small field in his final run before the Cheltenham Gold Cup as only 10 entries were received for the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

ANTE-POST punters have suffered a blow yesterday when trainer Martin Brassil revealed Numbersixvalverde had not been entered for the John Smith’s Grand National after failing to make sufficient progress from injury.

A dream weekend for Sam Thomas hit new heights as Mr Pointment made virtually all to score over the famous Grand National fences in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree.

Bewleys Berry enjoyed two encouraging spins around the Grand National course last season and should go well again in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Trainer Richard Phillips hopes recent recruit Pak Jack can make it third-time lucky over the Grand National fences when he lines-up for the totesport.com Becher Chase on Sunday.

Last season’s Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play and Ferdy Murphy’s rising star Aces Four will face six rivals in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Paddy Brennan insists he would not swap his John Smith’s Grand National mount Bewleys Berry for any other runner in the Aintree showpiece.

ASIAN MAZE, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy could clash at Gowran Park on Saturday in a high-class renewal of the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

A high-class entry featuring 119 hopefuls has been revealed for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14.

Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais and Rehearsal Chase winner Neptune Collonges top the weights for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock.

Graham Wylie hopes Bewleys Berry has done enough to make the cut for the John Smith's Grand National.

Eurotrek put up a commanding performance under 11st 12lb to win the totesport.com Becher Handicap.

Sue Smith believes Royal Emperor could be in need of the run if he lines up in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

GRAHAM LEE, who rode his 100th winner of the season at Ayr yesterday, issued an upbeat bulletin on his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle hopeful Arcalis.

FEATHARD LADY stormed to the forefront of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture as she extended her unbeaten run to seven under a peach of a ride from Ruby Walsh in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown yesterday.

Feathard Lady stormed to the forefront of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture as she extended her unbeaten run to seven under a peach of a ride from Ruby Walsh in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown.

Francois Doumen fought back from the disappointment of stable star Baracouda’s defeat yesterday with the victory of Moulin Riche in the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Lenny Lungo reports his exciting prospect Villon to be firmly on course for a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Howard Johnson has been outlining plans for his battalion of stable stars.