The Crabbie’s Grand National meeting could start with a bang as the imperious Douvan is among 18 entries in the Merseryrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase next Thursday.

The New One could face as many as nine rivals in the www.StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer John Ferguson is eyeing "championship races" for El Namoose after the exciting youngster starred in a treble for Barry Geraghty at Huntingdon yesterday.