Balthazar King is more likely to run in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival than the Crabbie’s Grand National after he made a welcome return to Philip Hobbs’ yard yesterday.

Philip Hobbs reports Balthazar King to be making “steady progress” as he recovers from his fall in the Crabbie’s Grand National.

Jonjo O’Neill feels Shutthefrontdoor has the right credentials to give AP McCoy an unforgettable final ride in the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

Proud Scotsman Alan King believes Godsmejudge could be coming back to form at the right time ahead of his defence of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The prestigious three mile and five furlong Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse is one of the few major prizes to elude champion trainer Willie Mullins and he unsurprisingly has a plethora of entries this year, including Prince De Beauchene, Vesper Bell, Touch The Eden and Away We Go.

Barry Connell must feel like kicking something.

It seems fitting that the first officially recorded Grand National winner way back in 1839 was called Lottery.

The catwalk queens have had their day. Today Aintree reverts to a venerable old battlefield of dreams and punting pin-stickers as experts-for-the-day have an annual flutter on the Grand National.

In the lead up to today’s Grand National much has been made of the fact that to win the race Synchronised will have to defy the weight of history.

West End Rocker was promoted to 14-1 favourite for the Grand National after demonstrating stamina in abundance when winning the Betfred Becher Chase at a rain-sodden Aintree.

Conditions could be set fair for the John Smith's Grand National with no rain forecast for the second half of next week.

Denis O’Regan hopes to make it third-time lucky in the John Smith’s Grand National when he rides Black Apalachi in the Aintree marathon on April 4.

Soft-ground loving Black Apalachi earned a 33-1 quote for the John Smith’s Grand National with Ladbrokes after a superb round of jumping secured him a win over the famous fences at Aintree.

Young amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, who rode his first Cheltenham Festival winner last month, completed a famous double when guiding Katarino to victory over the Grand National fences in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree today.

IRIS’S GIFT confirmed his position as this season’s champion staying hurdler with an impressive win in the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree yesterday.

Red Marauder and Paddy’s Return, last year’s hero and villain, have both been confirmed as absentees from the Martell Grand National.