Beef Or Salmon warmed up for a trip to next week’s Punchestown Festival with a respectable third-place finish in the Racing Post In Ireland Hurdle, the opening race on Irish Grand National day at Fairyhouse.

Cheltenham Gold Cup disappointment Beef Or Salmon finished third as he enjoyed a confidence-boosting spin over hurdles at Fairyhouse.

Michael Hourigan is to give Beef Or Salmon a confidence-boosting spin over hurdles following his second successive disappointing run in Britain.

Hi Cloy took his third Grade One prize of the season when leading home an Irish-trained one-two-three in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree.

CELESTIAL GOLD gave Martin Pipe a late-season boost and ended a drought of big-race winners for the champion trainer under a beautifully-timed ride from Timmy Murphy in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree.

Philip Hobbs has not ruled out running Monkerhostin twice at Aintree this week.

Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth L’Ami has been purchased by multi-millionaire owner JP McManus.

Connections of Sir Rembrandt are keeping their fingers crossed for rain during the build-up to the John Smith’s Grand National.

Connections of War Of Attrition will “hold fire” before making any running plans for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Connections of War Of Attrition will “hold fire” before making any running plans for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Howard Johnson hopes Grey Abbey can bounce back to form in the skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on St Stephen's Day.

Rule Supreme will definitely take his chance at Aintree this week but trainer Willie Mullins is undecided which race the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup winner will line up for.

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.

Graham Lee is free to resume his partnership with Amberleigh House in the John Smith’s Grand National after it was revealed that Grey Abbey will bypass the Aintree spectacular.

Crystal D’Ainay could make his British chasing debut in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree next month.