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.

Beef Or Salmon, twice a winner of the Lexus Chase, is among nine horses left in the €150,000 Grade One contest at Leopardstown on Wednesday week.

LE COUDRAY is the new top-weight for the John Smith’s Grand National after 85 horses were confirmed at yesterday’s five-day stage for Saturday’s Aintree spectacular.

Le Coudray heads a list of 85 horses confirmed at today’s five-day stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

MICHAEL HOURIGAN yesterday received a welcome boost ahead of Beef Or Salmon’s crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup when saddling his first winner for two months.

KICKING KING in and Best Mate out is the latest twist to next Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

A RECORD entry of 152 has been received for the John Smith’s Grand National on April 9 with legendary owner JP McManus responsible for no less than 19 of those engaged.

Beef Or Salmon bids to end his campaign on a high in the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup tomorrow.

Beef Or Salmon is 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup on Wednesday.

CASHMANS have dipped their toes in the ante-post market for the €180,000 Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown next Wednesday.

THE Willie Mullins trained Alexander Banquet heads the weights for Saturday’s Betfred Gold Cup after 23 were left in the Sandown showpiece at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

FOLLOWING the defections of Rince Ri and Timbera earlier this week from Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National at Liverpool, Jimmy Mangan yesterday issued an upbeat bulletin on last year’s Aintree hero, Monty’s Pass.

CHAMPION Hurdle-winning trainer Dessie Hughes, though, reports Timbera, clear favourite at 9-1 with Cashmans, to be bang on course for Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

A total of 61 horses remain in the Martell Cognac Grand National at today’s five-day confirmation stage.

Ante-post gamble Rince Ri has been ruled out of the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

MACS GILDORAN was the only surprise withdrawal from the Martell Cognac Grand National at yesterday's forfeit stage, leaving a total of 77 entries remaining in the race a week on Saturday.

BY any standards, Florida Pearl’s victory in yesterday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown was an extraordinary performance.

Veteran chaser Florida Pearl heads a field of seven for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The unveiling of the weights for the Martell Cognac Grand National yesterday produced a host of moves in ante-post markets on the world’s greatest steeplechase.

EIGHT horses remain in Sunday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, headed by last year’s winner, Beef Or Salmon.

Keen Leader, seen by many as the main danger to Best Mate recording an historic third success in chasing’s blue riband at Cheltenham in March, has been installed a hot favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup on Sunday week.

Lei Roi Miguel features among a high-class field of seven declared for the Servo Computer Services’ Ascot Chase on Saturday and trainer Paul Nicholls hopeful of a big run over a trip that should be to his liking.

WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed that stable star Florida Pearl will head to Britain for the Servo Computer Services’ Ascot Chase at the weekend – weather permitting.

Willie Mullins confirmed today that stable star Florida Pearl will head to Britain for the Servo Computer Services’ Ascot Chase at the weekend – weather permitting.

MICHAEL HOURIGAN will wait and see how Beef Or Salmon goes over the next week or so before committing his stable star to the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

Florida Pearl heads 12 entries for what looks set to be a cracking renewal of the Servo Computer Services' Ascot Chase on Saturday.

OWNER David Johnson yesterday refused to rule out a tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold with his promising novice Therealbandit.

Jair Du Cochet, a major flop at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, put the record straight with a resounding success in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham today.

TED WALSH is planning a double assault on the Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree on April 3.

FRENCH raider Jair Du Cochet heads a cast of 11 who have been entered for Saturday’s Grade Two Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham.

Florida Pearl could head to Ascot for his next start after making a successful reappearance at Fairyhouse.

FLORIDA PEARL begins what is very likely to be his final assault on the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup when he has his first race for almost nine months at Fairyhouse tomorrow.

Beef Or Salmon has recovered from a slight setback and is on course for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Rince Ri has been the subject of a big ante-post plunge for the Martell Cognac Grand National.

Rince Ri was today the subject of a big ante-post plunge for the Martell Cognac Grand National.

Beef Or Salmon will see plenty of action on the run-up to the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup next March after his victory at Punchestown yesterday.

Beef Or Salmon, the darling of the Irish jumps scene, bounced back to winning form in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase today.

BEEF OR SALMON, whose jumping was suspect on his seasonal reappearance at Clonmel, will have a racecourse school this morning in preparation for Sunday’s Grade One John Durkan Memorial ‘Chase at Punchestown.

NICKY HENDERSON is considering his options for Fondmort after entering the impressive Paddy Power Gold Cup winner in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

NO Beef Or Salmon or Harbour Pilot, but it didn’t make any great difference.

Trainer Francois Doumen is targeting the 2004 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup after First Gold strolled away with the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup today.

First Gold has won the the Heineken Gold Cup - the festival feature - at Punchestown.