Giles Cross may be odds-against to turn up in the Grand National itself but he left his connections thrilled after claiming a deserved big-race victory in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock.

GRADUATION NIGHT sidestepped a Grade One engagement earlier in the week and the Lynn Higgins 60th Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Doncaster is an eminently more winnable contest.

Lie Forrit, a smart staying hurdler two seasons ago, made a winning return to action in the John Smith’s Paris Pike Novices’ Chase at Kelso.

TONY MCCOY was one of nine jockeys at Wetherby hit with a 10-day suspension for failing to stop after a race had been voided yesterday.

LADBROKES World Hurdle second Punchestowns made an inspired start to his career over fences in the Fuller’s London Pride Novices’ Chase at Newbury yesterday.

Campbell Gillies could be back in competitive action in December despite his horrible accident at Aintree last Sunday.

Campbell Gillies had to be taken to hospital after a sickening incident at Aintree on Sunday.

Backstage earned a possible tilt at the Galway Plate with his victory in the £20,000 (€23,000) Newwave Recruitment Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase for trainer Gordon Elliott.

THERE was drama in the opening Coke Zero Maiden Hurdle at Ayr yesterday with five of the 10 runners disqualified after taking the wrong course.

Knockara Beau is set for a trip to Aintree following an impressive victory in the Grade Two totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle at the Borders venue.

Denis O’Regan was in cracking form at Ayr with a treble highlighted by imposing Cheltenham hope Quwetwo in the Blue Square Poker Novices’ Hurdle.

Lucinda Russell was left singing the praises of her conditional jockey Campbell Gillies after the victory of Nelliedonethat at Musselburgh.

Laertes put up a fine staying performance to land the £25,000 Press & Journal Highland National, the feature race on the final day of Perth’s festival meeting.