What a great day to be on the couch, with the Grand National from Aintree and Heineken Cup rugby on the box! But, you know what, I’d give anything to be at Aintree, in the thick of the action.

Not content with having another shot at winning the Crabbie’s Grand National, Across The Bay’s localowners have even begun writing their own headlines.

Un De Sceaux will run in France this weekend “all being well” according to Willie Mullins.

Long Run gained his first win since the 2012 King George VI Chase when landing the odds in the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase at Kelso yesterday.

Tony McCoy’s ride in the Crabbie’s Grand National appears to be down to a potential two after the weights were announced for what looks an incredibly open renewal on April 5.

Philip Fenton has not ruled out the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham for Last Instalment, who completed his comeback with a tremendous victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m (€1.2m) Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

Jockey Barry Geraghty believes the state of the going on Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup day will have a big bearing on whether Bobs Worth can retain his crown on March 14.

Silviniaco Conti is virtually certain to go straight for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup following his victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase.

Big Buck’s took an important step ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to action with a gallop before racing at Exeter yesterday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth will confirm a first start in Ireland in the Lexus Chase provided he pleases in a final exercise at the end of this week.

A tilt at the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 is “looking likely” for Unioniste.

I’m off on my travels again today to ride two horses for Willie Mullins at Newbury, including Prince De Beauchene in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Richard Johnson has been booked by the Grand National-winning team of Sue and Harvey Smith for Hennessy Gold Cup contender Cloudy Too.

Irish interests in the 23-strong field for Saturday’s hugely prestigious Hennessy Gold Cupstaying handicap at Newbury are spiked by the likely participation of last season’s RSA Chase winner Lord Windermere, who represents the Jim Culloty team.

A thrilling renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock tomorrow looks in store after eight runners were declared yesterday.

Part-owner Malcolm Kimmins admits Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth is likely to have plenty on his plate as he kicks off his season in what looks a mouth-watering renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Tony McCoy has ruled out any notion of retirement when he reaches 4,000 career wins over jumps.

Barry Geraghty had retreated indoors cradling a hot cuppa and reflecting on his Gold Cup success on board Bob’s Worth when another reminder of National Hunt’s innate danger played itself out a few feet to his left.

Trainer Mouse Morris would prefer to run First Lieutenant in the Betfred Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month.

Ruby Walsh doesn’t expect an Irish horse to emerge victorious at next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

There were plenty willing to knock Sir Des Champs as a possible Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, following his hard-earned defeat of Flemenstar in the Hennessy at Leopardstown a week ago, but here's one who continues to believe he has a massive chance next month.

John Smith’s Grand National handicapper Phil Smith has defended his decision to allot leading contender Seabass a burden of 11st 2lb in the Aintree showpiece.

Ireland are odds-on to claim their first John Smith’s Grand National in six years following the first entry stage for the Aintree showpiece.

Paul Nicholls’ Lexus hero Tidal Bay is one of the 16 entries in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 9.

Last Saturday the Irish Field newspaper had a fair old go at Thurles Racecourse.

It was fantastic to win a third Lexus at Leopardstown yesterday on Tidal Bay, to go with previous victories on Rince Ri and Denman.

Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs are the star names among nine runners in a fantastic renewal of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed that Ruby Walsh will now ride Kauto Stone in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

Mouse Morris is set to saddle both Hennessy Gold Cup third First Lieutenant and the returning China Rock in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Mouse Morris is set to saddle both Hennessy Gold Cup third First Lieutenant and the returning China Rock in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Gordon Elliott’s exciting prospect Don Cossack will take his next step in a fascinating Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday.

Bobs Worth showed his class with a convincing victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Ruby Walsh is expected to be fit to ride tomorrow despite being stood down after a fall at Newbury today.

The performance of Silviniaco Conti in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby today is going to be particularly important as far as I’m concerned.

Sprinter Sacre is officially the best novice chaser of this millennium, following a “bizarre” and “extraordinary” year in his two-mile division.

Tony McCoy will ride Burton Port in the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl at Aintree tomorrow, with Barry Geraghty sticking with Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre.

Big Buck’s will face seven rivals in the BGC Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday as he goes in search of an incredible 17th win in a row.

It hasn’t been the easiest few years for Denis O’Regan but the Youghal jockey served a reminder of his undoubted talents with the winning ride on Cape Tribulation in yesterday’s Pertemps Final.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to seven rivals in the rearranged Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Friday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to 10 rivals as he bids to get off the mark for the campaign in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

BIG BUCK’S treated Cheltenham racegoers to a preview of what will surely be a fourth victory in March’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle when winning for the 15th time in-a-row on Saturday.

Neptune Collonges and Tony McCoy will attempt to defy top weight in Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.