Connections of Stan have decided to run him in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, rather than take up an alternative engagement in the Far East.

The 10-year-old was handed an invitation to take part in the Grand Nakayama Jump, a valuable international Grade One contest run over 4,250 metres at Nakayama racecourse in Japan, later this month.

However, Stan’s owner Paul Beck and trainer Venetia Williams have instead decided that the horse should take his chance in the National.

"We’ve turned down the Japanese invitation and we’re 100 per cent set for Aintree," Beck said today.

"I don’t think he’s without a chance, if he stays the trip. I suppose he’s a bit of a trip-less horse, but he was staying on when he was fourth behind New Little Bric in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Three (Totesport.com Gold Cup) at Newbury under a big weight and looked like he might appreciate a greater test of stamina there.

"You never know. If he gets around the first circuit then he could just still be in with a shout at the finish. He’s a horse who has kept surprising us."

Beck is also hoping to run Stan’s stablemate, Flintoff, whom he owns jointly with England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, but that horse would need a further seven withdrawals to get into Saturday's contest.

Cloudy Lane is the new top weight for the Grand National following the, as expected, defections of Snoopy Loopy and Nozic.

As a result all weights will be raised by 3lbs.

Roll Along, King Johns Castle and Character Building were among the defectors as 74 remain in Saturday's race at the five day stage.

Ruby Walsh, looking for his third Grand National win, will ride My Will in Saturday's contest.

The jockey had his pick of several good runners including My Will's stablemate Big Fella Thanks, his fathers Southern Vic and Willie Mullins' Irish Invader.

Bookmakers have reacted by cutting My Will's odds to 8/1 clear favourite.

Irish conditional rider Matt O'Connor remains in a stable condition at Cork University Hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a fall at Thurles on Thursday.

Dr Walter Halley, former chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club and a member of the jockey's family spoke to the Press Association ."I spoke to Caroline, Matt's mother, over the weekend and the situation is that he is stable.

"The observation and ongoing tests are satisfactory, which is good news.

"They would hope within the next 48 hours to reduce his sedation - but that will depend on the results from the ongoing tests.

"He is in a medically-induced coma, which is normal procedure, and the situation is being continually monitored.

"He is still seriously ill, but it has been a positive 48 hours."

Well Armed, who was just pipped for the runners-up in last years Dubai World Cup, made no mistake in this years renewal, coming home unchallenged to win racings richest race.

Trained by Eoin Harty, son of Grand National winning jockey Eddie, he led virtually all the way. However it was in the home straight that jockey Aaron Gryder asked for a final effort and the American raider made his rivals look as though they were weighed down by concrete.

So emphatic was the victory that the pilot was patting the horses neck and easing inside the final 100 metres.

French raider Gloria De Campeao came home second, fourteen lengths behind the winner, with Paris Perfect a further 4½ lengths back in third.   

The winner has a British connection in that it was formerly trained by Clive Brittain.

Expresso Star, sent off the 100/30 favourite trounced his rivals to easily take the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster.

Running on what was considered unfavourable  far-side he was settled by Jimmy Fortune before taking  up the running at the furlong marker.

John Gosden's charge soon put daylight between himself and his rivals to record a  two and a half length victory over  Zaahid.  Flipando was a length further behind in third, with  Mia's Boy taking fourth.

Speaking to Channel Four after the contest Fortune said, "I was very happy all the way as he travelled well and I wanted to settle it from two and a half furlongs out as he stays well.

"The only concern I had was that the horses on my side couldn't really leave me and the horses on the far side were getting away - I had to kick on a bit earlier than I wanted to.

"He was all out, but he won well and he's a progressive horse.

"You wouldn't know where he might end up."

Irish jockey Matt O'Connor remains in a "critical but stable condition" at Cork University Hospital after a serious fall at Thurles on Thursday.

The jockey was knocked unconscious after Walkin Aisy fell in the Beginners Chase.

He was initially taken to Clonmel Hospital but transferred to the Cork Hospital on Thursday evening.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has said it is almost certain that Denman will head for the Totesport Bowl on the opening day of the meeting.

Speaking on At The Races Nicholls said, "Denman is in fine form and on target for Thursday. As long as the ground is safe he will run.

"He has come out of the Gold Cup in great shape and we are looking forward to Aintree."

Jockey Denis O'Regan has been passed fit to resume race riding next Tuesday after having a MRI scan on his back, following a fall at Ayr a week ago.

O'Regan suffered in bruising in the fall from Bleak House in a beginners chase.

A naturally happy O'Regan, who is booked to ride leading NAtional fancy Black Apalachi said, "I'm very relieved. I'm going to ride out at the weekend and then I'll be back riding on the track on Tuesday.

"Obviously the few days I've had off have given me some relief, so I'm feeling good.

"Hopefully I will have other rides at Aintree. At least I've got the all-clear so I can go on from there."

Last year's Grand National runner-up, King Johns Castle, will miss this years renewal after suffering a training setback. He suffered an overreach and the injury will not heal in time for next weeks contest.

Cheltenham Gold Cup sixth, Roll Alon, is also set to miss the big race and will most likely be aimed at Punchestown instead.

Current top weight Snoopy Loopy has also been scratched from the race, which will result in at least a two pound rise in the weights at the five day stage next Monday.

On the jockey front Paul Carberry who suffered internal injuries in an horrific fall at Cheltenham will miss the Aintree Festival.

Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Neptune Collonges will be out of action for a year after he was thought to have suffered an injured tendon in the Cheltenham contest.

Speaking to the BBC, owner John Hales said, "We believe it happened in the race, but it didn't show up until a few days after.

"It might have been the reason why he didn't perform at a normal level.

"He now has to have his legs looked at by the vets and the appropriate treatment applied.

"But it means he'll be off for 12 months, which means he'll miss the rest of next season as well."

John Gosden's Mafaaz won the inaugural Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

In winning the contest the colt is guaranteed a starting place in the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

Jockey Richard Hills flew in from Dubai just to ride the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned horse.

Speaking after the race Gosden said, "I have obviously got to discuss it with Sheikh Hamdan, but he has a big breeding farm and investments in Kentucky and he now has the opportunity to go there.

"I have an eye on the Blue Grass Stakes in Keeneland in the middle of April.

"It is on the same surface and if he gets in, it gives him a big chance in a trial ahead of the big race.

"This is a nice, solid horse who had been working well and the blinkers helped."

Following a number of defections at the top of the weights, the weights have been raised 5lbs with Snoopy Loopy the new top weight carrying 11st 10lbs.

88 runners stand their ground at the latest forfeit stage.

For the latest Grand National news click here

Joint 2007 Champion Jockey, Seb Sanders, who has been out of action since breaking his leg in a fall at Chester last August is set to return to race riding at Southwell on Sunday.

He has just the one ride and will have to wait until the last race before returning to action.

Hurricane Fly who missed the Cheltenham Festival with a splint problem may well be heading to Punchestown at the end of April.

Speaking on At The Races trainer Willie Mullins said, "He's very well, he went up to the vets yesterday and they gave him the best report that we have had so far."

"I was not pleased with him when I left to go to Cheltenham last Sunday morning but the vets were very pleased with him yesterday.

"It gives us a chance now to get back to Punchestown."

Top weight Exotic Dancer and Star De Mohaison will both be taken out of the John Smith's Grand National at Tuesday's latest forfeit stage.

As a result it is inevitable the weights will rise following Exotic Dancer's defection.

Exotic Dancer will head for the totesport Bowl, which he won two years ago.

Star De Mohaison may also go for the totesport Bowl, although the John Smith's Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong is also an option.

The Scottish National is also an option for Star De Mohaison.

Jockey Jack Doyle produced Russian Trigger with a well timed to win the John Smith's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday afternoon.

As the field turned for home long time front runner Gidam Gidam was about to lose the lead to the running-on trio of Flintoff, Russian Trigger and Hold The Pin.

Flintoff jumped the last in front and looked to be the winner before stopping suddenly, allowing Russian Trigger to take the lead in the final yards.

Speaking afterwards Jack Doyle said, "Going into the turn I thought we had a chance because all he does is gallop. When Flintoff came to me I thought we were going to be second but we picked him up again."

The victory also meant Harry Findlay's syndicate won the £3.1m Scoop6 bonus.

Imperial Commander beat the odds-on favourite Voy Por Ustedes in the Ryanair Chase, whilst the odds-on shot Kasbah Bliss only came fourth in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Thursday's Cheltenham action as it happened click here

Despite not running to his best Paul Nicholls Master Minded claimed his second Sesaons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He did not seem his usual self when coming home the seven length winner of the two mile contest. However bookmakers are only offering 4/7 he completes a hat-trick of wins next season.

Elsewhere at the festival the most convincing winner of the afternoon was Dunguib in the Bumper.

Wednesday's action as it happened click here

In a thrilling finish to the 2009 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, trainer Nicky Henderson took the spoils but, not as expected, with the favourite Binocular but Punjabi - giving the bookies a good 22/1 winner.

The favourite could only finish third, with Paul Nicholls Celestial Halo separating the Henderson duo.

Tuesday's Cheltenham action as it happened click here

Ffos Las, scheduled to begin racing on 18th June, has signed a deal with SIS & ATR for broadcasting rights.

The deal will give ATR 31 courses, against RUK's 30.

In a dramatic opening race at Ayr, all the seven finishers, bar two, were disqualified after most of the field passed the wrong side of a marker and were deemed to have taken the wrong course.

The first four past the post were all disqualified, including the favourite Etxala who was first past the post.

The race went to fifth past the post Seraphim, with last past the post Grand Opera being awarded second spot.

43 runners have been declared for the Foxhunters, including three previous winners Kingscliff, Sleeping Knight and last years winner Amicelli.

For teh latest Cheltenham news click here

Jockey Hayley Turner has been taken to Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge after a schooling accident at Newmarket.

She was putting Old Sarum through a stalls test when the horse suffered a fatal injury when jumping out.

Turner had blood streaming from her nose and mouth and was initially unconscious but was able to walk into the ambulance.