The legendary Fergie Sutherland, best known as the trainer of the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Call, died yesterday in Marymount Hospice, Cork following a long illness. He was 81.

British Horseracing Authority chief handicapper Phil Smith was buoyed by the news Gold Cup winner Denman is being considered for a tilt at the John Smith’s Grand National.

Conditions are set to be testing at Cheltenham for the first time in almost 12 years for their New Year's Day meeting.

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winning jockey, Norman Williamson, has been forced to retire on medical advice.

Florida Pearl heads the weights for the Martell Grand National.