Marcus Townend

Trainer Ben Pauling says Friday's Randox Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree may be the best option for Harry Redknapp-owned Shakem Up'Arry.

Question marks about Gordon Elliott's duo Conflated and Galvin plus Peter Bowen's Mac Tottie mean that a ballot might not be needed.

MARCUS TOWNEND: The £1million Randox Grand National is the biggest race of the British jumps season and one of the most-watched TV events in the British sporting calendar.

Nicky Henderson says he will 'know his fate' for the Grand National meeting after Sir Gino runs in the Boodles Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.

Willie Mullins believes all his runners have genuine each-way chances when he launches an eight-strong challenge on Saturday's £1million Randox Grand National.

Aintree and Merseyside police will erect an unprecedented ring of steel around Aintree ahead of the 176th running of the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Reset and repeat. That has been the mantra for trainer Lucinda Russell and partner Peter Scudamore since they decided to return to Aintree with last year's National winner Corach Rambler.

Patrick Wadge will be rewarded for keeping the faith when the career odds seemed to be stacking up against him if he can hang on to his lead to be crowned Champion Conditional Jockey.

Charlie Appleby-trained Arabian Crown goes on trial for the Betfred Derby in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on Friday.

Arabian Crown is the 6-1 second favourite for the Betfred Derby after professional three-and-a-quarter length win in Sandown's bet365 Classic Trial.