Katie Walsh can join Olympic hero Katie Taylor on the pantheon of Irish sporting heroines today by becoming the first female jockey to win racing’s Grand National.

Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald believes previous experience over the famous fences is a vital asset for this year’s winner.

Mikael D’Haguenet gets the nap to land a fascinating Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse tomorrow.

John Smith’s Grand National handicapper Phil Smith has defended his decision to allot leading contender Seabass a burden of 11st 2lb in the Aintree showpiece.

On a day when Aintree-bound Seabass made a hugely encouraging return to action, hurdling debutant Defy Logic and Rock Critic enhanced their credentials as exciting novices with victories in Fairyhouse yesterday.

Mad Brian gets the nap to beat Defy Logic in the Great Value Corporate Hospitality @ Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle at the Meath track this afternoon, should the meeting survive an 8am inspection.

Last year’s Grand National third Seabass will make his seasonal re-appearance in the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on February 9, rather than defend his crown in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls’ Lexus hero Tidal Bay is one of the 16 entries in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 9.

Mouse Morris is set to saddle both Hennessy Gold Cup third First Lieutenant and the returning China Rock in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Ted Walsh insisted that “one day a woman will win the National” after the trainer saw his daughter, Katie, partner Seabass to finish third at Aintree.

Neptune Collonges gave champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first John Smith’s Grand National winner when getting up on the line to beat Sunnyhillboy in an incident-packed race at Aintree.

Just like 39 of my colleagues, I am very much looking forward to the Grand National at Aintree today.

Edward O’Grady’s Out Now is the choice in what looks a wickedly difficult to solve Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

I’m well aware there has been much speculation of late regarding what I will ride in next Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, but this morning I can reveal it will be Willie Mullins’ On His Own.

All roads again lead to Aintree and the John Smith’s Grand National for Ted Walsh after Seabass stretched his unbeaten run to seven in the paddypower.com Chase at Naas.

Seabass and Felix Yonger provided Ruby Walsh with a superb Grade 2 double at Naas yesterday.

Seabass is in line for a crack at the John Smith's Grand National after stretching his unbeaten run to seven in the paddypower.com Chase at Naas today.

I RIDE in all seven races at Cheltenham this afternoon and will certainly be disappointed if returning to Ireland tonight without a winner.

RUBY WALSH looks the rider to follow at Thurles this afternoon and it will be a surprise should he fail to figure among the winners.

LONG odds-on Apt Approach had to dig deep to beat Taradoun in the Lisronagh Beginners Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

RUBY WALSH certainly looks the jockey to have on one’s side at Clonmel this afternoon.

IT’S a tall order, given Munster’s European credentials at Thomond Park, but Sale second-row Luke Abraham is confident the English side can triumph in Limerick tomorrow and go onto secure a spot in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.