#Tom Gretton

The veterans' final has always been used as a gateway to big handicaps by a certain few - even going back to its first winner, Soll, who used the race as a Grand National prep. But such runners had been limited to one or two a year - until now. Look down the field of 18 - the biggest ever, if they all go to post - and there are potentially as many…

The weights for the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse have risen by 5lbs after the top three in the handicap - Galvin, Conflated and Melon - were taken out at the latest scratchings' stage. There are now 78 entries remaining, with Henry De Bromhead's Chris's Dream now topping the weights at 11st10lb, for the Aintree showpiece on…

CLOTH CAP can enhance his Randox Grand National credentials with victory in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.37pm) at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. After some of the Grand National hopefuls from Ireland put down their case last weekend with Any Second Now narrowly beating Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, some…

The Randox Grand National takes centre stage on the third and final day of the Aintree Festival - and what a race we have in store. The world's greatest steeplechase is woven into the fabric of the sporting year - an occasion when once-a-year punters get to pit their wits against the bookies, while more dedicated racing fans will look at the race…

Ballyandy: an encouraging third on his return at Perth The Cross Country Chase which once spearheaded this card is replaced by a veterans' event and we have a former Champion Bumper winner facing a past Welsh National hero in a race packed with old friends. Admittedly, we are winding the clock back to 2016 for Ballyandy's Grade 1 strike and 2018…