French section winner Senator

The weights for the Grand National at Aintree were revealed on Tuesday with previous winners I Am Maximus (11st 12lb) and Nick Rockett (11st 11lb), along with former King George winner Banbridge (11st 11lb), topping the list. Last year's victor Nick Rockett has yet to race this term and therefore isn't qualified at present. If the vibes are correct, the Closutton inmate faces a race against time to line up in early April. The two ante-post selections in One Jump Ahead are favourably berthed, if given the go ahead, although I received some less than encouraging reports regarding one of them whilst at Carlisle on Monday - news of that will be included in the Cheltenham Festival Update.

The entries for the handicaps at next month's Cheltenham Festival were also published on Tuesday. They included the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, which features Top 40 entry Manlaga. Nicky Henderson's French import won the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday in convincing fashion. Rated 127 last weekend, the handicapper has only raised her three pounds, which is generous. 

On the track, Senator (Evens) provided the French Revolution section in OJA with another winner when taking the opening juvenile hurdle at Market Rasen. Placed in his two previous runs over timber at Kempton and Chepstow, the Doctor Dino stayed on stoutly to get the better of compatriot Macshadow Des Crai after the last before stretching away to register a length and a quarter victory. Rated 112 beforehand, Jamie Snowden's charge will stay further in time and will hopefully head down the handicap route next time.

Having worked at Haydock and Carlisle during the last few days, I am back working on Ahead On The Flat and have organised another couple of interviews over the coming days. News on them will be revealed in the Diary once they have been completed. 

Please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy of the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Grand National Updates.