Ireland are odds-on to claim their first John Smith’s Grand National in six years following the first entry stage for the Aintree showpiece.

Ted Walsh is in no rush to commit to future plans for his John Smith’s Grand National third Seabass.

Kauto Star has regained his crown as the top-rated steeplechaser, in the annual Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications, for the second time in his remarkable career.

The Cork-born jockey who broke his leg in last Saturday’s action-packed Grand National has described as ‘rubbish’ the suggestion the race is too dangerous.

Timeform say Neptune Collonges’ John Smith’s Grand National win at Aintree last Saturday is the best they have ever rated.

Synchronised, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, suffered a fatal injury when falling at Becher's Brook in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree, owner JP McManus said.

Synchronised heads the 48 remaining entries for Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Ted Walsh admits it could be late next week before he knows who will ride his John Smith’s Grand National hope Seabass.

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.

Neptune Collonges heads 14 declared runners for Saturday’s Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock.

John Smith’s Grand National favourite Junior is likely to have his first run of the season at Newbury on Friday as he builds up to the greatest race of them all.

David Pipe feels ante-post favourite Junior has “enough weight” in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14.

John Smith’s Grand National favourite Junior features among the 23 entries for the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday.

JONJO O’NEILL has raised the possibility of Synchronised running in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown rather than defending his Welsh National title over Christmas.

David Pipe is confident stamina will not be an issue for Great Endeavour when the grey goes for glory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

GORDON Elliott, whose already superb season includes winners at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, heads to Ayr this afternoon hoping that National Hunt Chase winner Chicago Grey can give him a first victory in the Scottish Grand National.

DENMAN will face five rivals as he bids to win his first race since the 2009 Hennessy in the totesport Bowl at Aintree tomorrow.

THE old guard of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander feature among 14 declarations for tomorrow’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

DON’T PUSH IT is likely to follow the same route as last year and have his final race ahead of the John Smith’s Grand National in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in a fortnight.

TWENTY-FOUR horses, and all the big names, remain in the reckoning at the latest forfeit stage for next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Donald McCain had “no complaints” after ante-post favourite Ballabriggs was allotted a weight of 11st in the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National.

Neptune Collonges earned himself the right to at least another supporting role in the Gold Cup after the often-discounted grey returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in nearly two years in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

I’LL be mildly disappointed if the appropriately named Rock On Ruby doesn’t deliver for Paul Nicholls in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham today, should the meeting pass an inspection.

Silver By Nature now tops the weights for the Coral Welsh National after 13 horses were taken out of the December 27 race.

WITH the Fighting Fifth Hurdle being moved to Newbury, we have a proper day’s racing.

DENMAN put the finishing touches to his Hennessy Gold Cup preparations yesterday.

PAUL NICHOLLS has warned Denman’s opponents that the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is “full of enthusiasm” ahead of his bid for a record third victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Dual winner Denman heads 20 horses standing their ground in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday at the five-day stage.

DENMAN has been left at the head of the weights and is one of 34 remaining entries for the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday week.

KAUTO Star has been ruled out of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week.

Kauto Star has been ruled out of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week.

KAUTO STAR’S entry in the Hennessy Gold Cup has given a lop-sided look to the big staying handicap chase at Newbury on November 27.

Paul Nicholls claims Denman has given Ruby Walsh “the best feel for three years” ahead of his racecourse return in November.

Very few equine athletes have deserved the right to be ranked alongside Arkle, but owner Clive Smith believes Kauto Star is not far behind the colossus as he tries for a third totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup success.

Neptune Collonges will be out of action for a year after he was thought to have suffered an injury in the totesport Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

IF I live to be a hundred, I will never experience another week like this. To ride seven winners at Cheltenham is mind-boggling and far beyond my wildest expectations.

Selected tips from the Cheltenham Festival.

NEPTUNE COLLONGES is the value each-way choice to land the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at Prestbury Park this afternoon.

PAUL Nicholls believes conditions are very much turning in favour of Kauto Star as the nine-year-old bids to become the first horse to regain the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown today.

ANYONE else think Neptune Collonges has rapidly become the each-way value for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

PAUL Nicholls admits time may be running out to get Denman back to his brilliant best ahead of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13.

THE defection of both Exotic Dancer and Air Force One from tomorrow’s Hennessy at Leopardstown obviously makes the task of Neptune Collonges decidedly easier than a week ago.

Denman and Kauto Star feature among 28 horses left in the £475,000 (€527,000) totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at the latest forfeit stage.

Jim Dreaper believes the postponement of last weekend’s Irish Hennessy meeting could have worked in Notre Pere’s favour after the weights for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National were revealed.