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.

A Libyan rebel leader claims that opposition forces have taken control of a post on the Tunisian border near a former rebel-held town.

Workers at the stricken Japanese nuclear plant need to keep up recovery efforts to control the reactors over the next few "critical" days, experts said today.

Sarah Hobbs had a frustrating time of it at Doncaster but having motored further up the A1 to Wetherby she saw the stable’s luck change as Kornati Kid booked a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

THE overall winner of the JFC Innovation Award for Rural Business is Ralph Haslam of Mossfield Organic Farm, Co Offaly.

CHRIS COLEMAN has emerged as the new favourite for the manager’s post at Southampton.

BURY wrote a fairytale chapter into their 123-year history with a momentous and thoroughly-deserved FA Cup third-round replay victory against Coca-Cola Championship outfit Norwich.

Jamie Spencer edged one win closer to reclaiming the jockeys’ championship after smart juvenile Choose Your Moment struck at York.

Michael Dods may be making a trip to the unusual surroundings of Royal Ascot next month after the eye-catching victory of Rubirosa at Ripon.

Amazing Day (20-1) just got the better of 11-8 favourite Rio Taffeta in a thrilling finish to the skybet.com Wooden Spoon Charity Selling Stakes at Ripon.

Royal Rosa continued on the comeback trail with a convincing success in the One Man Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

Middleham trainer Pat Haslam sent out another winner in the famous silks of JP McManus when Monsieur won the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle under an enterprising ride from Barry Keniry at Wetherby.

LEON HASLAM is out to slash team-mate Gregorio Lavilla’s British Superbike Championship lead by claiming his first win of the season at Mondello Park this weekend.

Leon Haslam is out to slash team-mate Gregorio Lavilla’s British Superbike Championship lead by claiming his first win of the season at Mondello Park this weekend.

Paddy Merrigan is making a name for himself as a rider of some potential and to prove the point he booted home his first double on The Pen and Model Son at Wetherby.

Aidan O’Brien tightened his grip on the betting for the Classics with a Group One double thanks to Horatio Nelson and Rumplestiltskin at Longchamp.

Not content with dominating the National Hunt scene through the bleak winter months, Martin Pipe stole the show at Market Rasen’s summer showpiece meeting today with a 1,013-1 treble.

THREE overweight patients are to be fitted with a device that fools their brains into thinking they have eaten, in a new trial aimed at finding ways to cure obesity in Britain.

THERE could be a link between politics and voting in the Eurovision Song Contests, according to academics.

Iris’s Gift remains on course for a mouth-watering rematch with Baracouda after a promising seasonal reappearance at Haydock.

IRISH people use highly-addictive anti-depression drugs more than anyone else in Europe, according to evidence presented to the EU in Brussels yesterday.

Gunner Welburn, fourth in last season’s Martell Cognac Grand National, is on course for another crack at the Aintree marathon following his return to winning form in a dramatic skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby yesterday.

Leicester handed a full debut to non-contract signing Nicky Summerbee in their opening First Division clash at the new Walkers Stadium against Watford.

Wetherby's meeting survived an early-morning inspection after first frost and then snow had put the fixture in doubt.