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.

Graham Lee is to miss the John Smith's Grand National meeting and delay his comeback from injury by about a fortnight.

Tom Taaffe admits Slim Pickings faces a different task in a closer-knit John Smith’s Grand National this year.

Ungaro faces six rivals as he bids to atone for an early departure at Kempton in Doncaster’s Coolfun Ltd Grimthorpe Chase.

Nick Williams set his sights on the Connaught Gold Cup Handicap Chase some time ago for Maljimar and his plan can come to fruition at Newbury tomorrow.

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

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.

Gordon Elliott is hoping Silver Birch's Grand National win can kickstart his fledgling training career.

The 33-1 success of Silver Birch in the John Smith's Grand National had the major bookmakers declaring the biggest betting day of the year a "bookies' benefit".

Joes Edge, one of three co-favourites in the John Smith's Grand National, is recovering well after pulling up lame in the big race yesterday.

Ferdy Murphy is praying Joes Edge gets the necessary breaks when he lines up among a 40-strong field for the John Smith’s Grand National tomorrow.

PAT HUGHES believes Point Barrow will “definitely” make the frame if he enjoys a trouble-free passage in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

A new favourite has emerged for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.

John Smith’s Grand National gamble Joes Edge put the finishing touches to his preparation for Saturday’s showpiece race on the sands of Redcar beach in Cleveland.

WILLIE MULLINS is predicting a bold show from Hedgehunter in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

WILLIE MULLINS could saddle as many as five runners in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday after 68 horses stood their ground at the five-day confirmation stage yesterday.

KINGS ADVOCATE is the choice to win as competitive a Powers' Whiskey Irish Grand National as has ever been run at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Ferdy Murphy has his string in tip-top condition and he has his eyes set on more big prizes at the Aintree Grand National meeting.

Ossmoses has been ruled out of the John Smith’s Grand National.

My Will has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 21.

NEW champion hurdler Sublimity is to be aimed at the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on April 27, trainer John Carr has revealed.

An assault on the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National is the favoured option for Distant Thunder, provided he gets suitable underfoot conditions.

PAT HUGHES has reported Point Barrow to be in top shape after his recent exertions as money continues to pour in for the John Smith’s Grand National hope.

Nick Williams is hoping Graham Lee will be available to partner Philson Run in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Ferdy Murphy is to launch an all-out attack on the Powers Whisky Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 9.

RICHARD JOHNSON remains mystified over Detroit City’s poor performance in the Champion Hurdle – but hopes to redress the balance at Aintree next month.

RICHARD JOHNSON remains mystified over Detroit City’s poor performance in the Champion Hurdle – but hopes to redress the balance at Aintree next month.

LITTLE went right for Ruby Walsh on the opening day of the Festival, but he’s in full flow now.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Joes Edge makes the cut in the John Smith’s Grand National after getting up in the shadow of the post to win the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Bookmakers were purring following day one of the Cheltenham Festival after several well-backed favourites were turned over.

Ferdy Murphy's Joes Edge caused a huge shock by winning the William Hill Trophy at 50-1 in a three-way photograph.

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition could again go into battle with Hedgehunter and Forget The Past in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup on April 26.

BRAVE INCA, Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace fought out a thrilling finish at the Cheltenham Festival and form part of a nine-strong contingent for the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Joes Edge will be fit for the French Gold Cup next month after suffering cuts to his hind legs in the John Smith’s Grand National.

HEDGEHUNTER is a general 4-1 favourite with the English firms, although Irish bookmakers Cashmans and Paddy Power buck the trend with a 5-1 offer, to land back-to-back runnings of the John Smith’s Grand National after heading the list of 84 horses left in the Aintree spectacular at the five-day confirmation stage.

Ferdy Murphy believes outsider Haut De Gamme is a “massive price” for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

Ferdy Murphy, who sent out Truckers Tavern to finish second to Best Mate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup three years ago, is set to run Joes Edge in the totesport-sponsored prize in two weeks’ time.

Leading totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Monkerhostin faces just three rivals in the Aon Chase at Newbury tomorrow.

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.

IRISH mare Asian Maze and Howard Johnson’s No Refuge head the 18 entries for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

RACING DEMON, ante-post favourite for the Arkle Trophy, will step up to two-and-a-half miles for the first time at Ludlow on Thursday.

Ante-post favourite Trabolgan will carry top weight of 11st 12lb in Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup after 19 horses were declared for the Newbury feature.

RUBY WALSH has been expanding on his reasons for choosing Cornish Rebel from Paul Nicholls’ three-strong hand in Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.