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

Leading jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald is to retire at the end of the season.

Richard Johnson is set to ride either It Takes Time or Therealbandit in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

Impek is set for a step up in trip in next month’s Betfair Bowl at Aintree.

Our Armageddon shone as brightly as the Staffordshire sunshine after registering a top-drawer victory in the Singer & Friedlander Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

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 heads a list of 85 horses confirmed at today’s five-day stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Best Mate’s trainer, Henrietta Knight, and owner, Jim Lewis, are set to meet on Thursday to map out next season’s campaign for the triple totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

TRAINER Nigel Twiston-Davies yesterday confirmed that 2002 Grand National hero Bindaree (above) is likely to start his new campaign in the Tote Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Aintree enjoyed another rain-free night ahead of the start of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting this afternoon.

IRISH punters could have been forgiven for thinking that Cheltenham bankers are a bit like London buses — you wait an age for one and then two pop up at once.