Graham Lee is due to study a video of last year’s John Smith’s Grand National in an attempt to gain any advantage he can on Joes Edge in Saturday’s renewal.

Liam Heard is keeping his fingers crossed he will keep the ride on Eurotrek when he bids for glory in the John Smith’s Grand National.

CLAN ROYAL is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby tomorrow.

Clan Royal is set for a second run over hurdles as he continues his build-up to a third crack at the John Smith’s Grand National.

Clan Royal is set to continue his build-up to a third crack at the John Smith’s Grand National with a second run over hurdles later this month.

Clan Royal will be back in action over hurdles at Exeter tomorrow in his first race since his unlucky exit from the John Smith’s Grand National.

Aintree legend Ginger McCain could be represented in both races over the Grand National fences on Sunday.

HEDGEHUNTER received a rapturous welcome at Leopardstown yesterday afternoon following his heroics in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Connections of the luckless Clan Royal will give the gelding a week to get over his exertions in the John Smith’s Grand National before deciding on his next target.

NATIONAL favourite Hedgehunter will travel to Aintree today, with his trainer Willie Mullins satisfied about the ground conditions at Liverpool.

Carrie Ford will have some expert advice before she embarks on her historic bid to become the first woman to ride the winner of the John Smith’s Grand National.

JOCKEY CLUB officials were none-the-wiser yesterday as to whether champion trainer Martin Pipe will attend a scheduled hearing tomorrow over his refusal to allow a horse to be dope-tested at Haydock last week.

All of the leading fancies remain in the John Smith’s Grand National following the first forfeit stage.

TONY MARTIN is praying for a dry spring to improve the chances of Davids Lad fulfilling an ambitious spring campaign.

Tony Martin is praying for a dry spring to improve the chances of David's Lad fulfilling an ambitious spring campaign.

A record total of 92 horses are on 10st or above in the weights published today for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9.

Grand National runner-up Clan Royal could begin his build up to another crack at the world’s greatest steeplechase with a spin over hurdles at Bangor on Wednesday.

Bear On Board is on course to begin his preparation for a second crack at the Grand National by running in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase on Saturday.

Last season’s Grand National hero Amberleigh House couldn’t make it a winning return to action at Aintree yesterday but trainer Ginger McCain was more than happy with his performance.

Liam Cooper has announced his retirement after admitting: “One more heavy fall and I could have been history.”

GRAHAM LEE, who took this year’s Aintree Grand National on Amberleigh House and the Scottish equivalent aboard Grey Abbey, enjoyed his third success in his native country when partnering the Iggy Madden trained Wests Awake to land the valuable Byrne Handicap Chase at Tipperary yesterday.

A weekend of trials closed with an emphatic victory for Vodafone Derby favourite Yeats in Ireland yesterday, while the horse to make the biggest impact on the Classic picture in Britain was undoubtedly Salford City.

IRISH bookmakers cannot agree about the chances of Xenophon in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, with Paddy Power installing him 5-1 favourite and Cashmans going 14-1.

It’s 31 years since Red Rum’s first Grand National victory, but trainer Ginger McCainis still as twitchy about his latest charge at Aintree today. He spoke to Ray Gilpin.

Ginger McCain’s Martell Cognac Grand National contender Amberleigh House took another step towards Aintree with a gallop at Haydock Park today.

With a record 67 horses in the handicap proper this year, the Martell Cognac Grand National looks set to be an even more competitive event than usual.

No horses were withdrawn from the Martell Grand National at the final declaration stage.

No horses were withdrawn from tomorrow’s Grand National at the final stage this morning.

Ginger McCain called for a change to the entry conditions for the Martell Grand National after watching Ebony Light confirm that the stable’s fortunes have changed for the better with a wide-margin win in the Tote Placepot Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter.

Warren Marston is out to win another big prize over fences when he rides Moral Support in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter today.

Warren Marston is out to win another big prize over fences when he rides Moral Support in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter tomorrow.

This year's Martell Grand National will feature a modern-day record of 144 entries.

Final full finishing order for the 2001 Martell Grand National