ANTE-POST favourite Clan Royal and Racing Post Chase hero Innox are among 122 contenders remaining after the first forfeit stage for the John Smith’s Grand National.

Ante-post favourite Clan Royal and Racing Post Chase hero Innox are among 122 contenders remaining after the first forfeit stage for the John Smith’s Grand National.

Robert Alner is happy with his two totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders, Kingscliff and Sir Rembrandt, with the big race just three weeks away.

Monkerhostin has been allocated top-weight of 11st 12lb for the John Smith’s Grand National by senior British Horseracing Board jumps handicapper Phil Smith.

Ginger McCain’s runners have hit a rich vein of form since the turn of the year and the Aintree legend kept up the good work with a 25-1 double thanks to wins from Vicario and West Hill at Sedgefield on Monday.

LAST YEAR’S winner Hedgehunter heads a healthy entry of 148 for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 8.

Paul Nicholls has a powerful 10-strong team entered in the John Smith’s Grand National as he continues his quest for his first trainers’ championship.

Ginger McCain equalled his previous best seasonal total when Regal Heights’ victory at Ayr put the Aintree legend on 22 for the campaign.

Peter Marsh Chase winner Ebony Light will continue his John Smith’s Grand National preparations with another run at Haydock next month.

Kingscliff is reported to be in good health after his slightly lacklustre performance in yesterday’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

Ebony Light caused a massive shock in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park when claiming the scalp of totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Kingscliff.

Kingscliff will face just five rivals as he continues his Cheltenham Festival preparations in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock tomorrow.

THE Jessica Harrington trained Studmaster, who helped end a nightmare run for the stable when landing the Pierse Hurdle on Sunday, and Martin Pipe’s lightly-raced novice hurdler Acambo are 10-1 joint favourite with the sponsors for the totesport Trophy at Newbury on February 11 following the publication of the weights.

Kingscliff has been trimmed to 5-4 clear favourite from 11-8 for the Peter Marsh Chase with Cashmans following good support, including a four-figure bet.

Aintree legend Ginger McCain could be represented in both races over the Grand National fences on Sunday.

AMBERLEIGH HOUSE could only finish ninth in the jmc.it Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park yesterday on his first outing since his memorable Martell Grand National success in April.

IRISH bookmakers cannot agree about the chances of Xenophon in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, with Paddy Power installing him 5-1 favourite and Cashmans going 14-1.

Bookmakers cannot agree about the chances of Xenophon in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, with Paddy Power installing him 5-1 favourite and Cashmans going 14-1.

AZERTYUIOP, second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December, faces a tough task giving weight all round in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

Ginger McCain called for a change to the entry conditions for the Martell Grand National after watching Ebony Light confirm that the stable’s fortunes have changed for the better with a wide-margin win in the Tote Placepot Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter.