Caribean Boy and Farclas out of Grand National field
Eclair Surf and Fortescue are both guaranteed a run in the Randox Grand National after Caribean Boy and Farclas were taken out of the Aintree showpiece at Thursday's final declaration stage.
Aintree Sport News
Protektorat tests Gold Cup form in Bowl at Aintree
Protektorat finished the best of the British when third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and trainer Dan Skelton feels he sets a standard that others must surpass in Thursday's Betway Bowl at Aintree.
Rachael Blackmore back with Minella Times for Grand National
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times will be reunited at the Grand National on Saturday as they seek to repeat last year's history-making success at Aintree.
L'Homme Presse to clash with Bravemansgame in Mildmay Chase
L'Homme Presse has been declared in a top-class field of four for the Betway Mildmay Novices Chase at Aintree on Friday - with connections hoping for suitable conditions in order for him to run.
Clan Des Obeaux, Kemboy declare for Aintree meet
Previous winners Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy are among nine runners declared for the Betway Bowl at Aintree on Thursday. Kemboy was a brilliant winner of the Grade One contest in 2019 for Willie Mullins, beating the Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux into second. The application of cheekpieces appeared to have the desired effect for Clan Des Obeaux in last year's renewal as he struck gold by a whopping 26 lengths, before going on to win the Punchestown Gold Cup. The 10-year-old has been beaten twice since and is interestingly fitted with blinkers for the first time for the defence his crown on Merseyside. Kemboy has not managed to get his head in front since claiming a fourth Grade One success in last year's Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, most recently finishing fifth when bidding for back-to-back wins in the Dublin Racing Festival feature in February. The one to beat on recent form is Dan Skelton's Protektorat, who was best of the British when third behind Henry de Bromhead's pair of A Plus Tard and Minella Indo in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Conflated, trained by Gordon Elliott, was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup and looked set to be placed in the Ryanair at Cheltenham before falling two from home. Colin Tizzard's Eldorado Allen finished third in the Ryanair and is another leading contender, as is Royale Pagaille after finishing fifth in the Gold Cup for Venetia Williams. Nigel Twiston-Davies will be praying for rain to give Bristol De Mai the best possible chance of claiming victory, while Ann Hamilton steps Nuts Well up in class after a Listed triumph at Kelso.
Grand National: Aintree going now good to soft
The official going at Aintree for the three-day Grand National meeting, which starts on Thursday, was changed to good to soft on Monday morning following 7.5mm of rain overnight.
Aintree aim for Stayers' Hurdle champ Flooring Porter
Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter will be heading to Aintree for his next outing, with the possibility of a crack at the French Champion Hurdle also mooted. As Gavin Cromwell's stable star prefers to go left-handed, Punchestown was never on his agenda so another trip to Britain is upcoming.
Any Second Now wins Grand National prep at Fairyhouse
Any Second Now edged out Escaria Ten in a thrilling finish to the Tote Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.