Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Phil Smith (R) pictured with AP McCoy and Katie Walsh at the launch of the Grand National weights

No bias against Irish horses, insists handicapper Smith

British handicapper Phil Smith has responded to criticism over weights for next month's Grand National by denying any bias against Irish horses.

Racing • 01 Mar 17

Michael O'Leary was not happy with the weights with the British Handicapper after the National weights were published

Leading Gigginstown trio removed from National

Gordon Elliott's Don Poli, Empire Of Dirt and Outlander are among the 15 horses taken out of the Randox Health Grand National at the latest forfeit stage.

Racing • 01 Mar 17

Rule The World was the first Irish winner of the Aintree highlight since 2007

VIDEO: Rule The World 'going out at the top'

Trainer Mouse Morris feels the decision to retire his Aintree Grand National winner is the right one.

Racing • 11 May 16

David Mullins and Rule The World en route to their Aintree triumph

National hero Rule The World is retired

Aintree Grand National winner Rule The World has been retired.

Racing • 10 May 16

Bertram Allen is good friends with Grand National winning jockey David Mullins

Allen keen to mirror Mullins' National success

Having watched his good friend David Mullins score an incredible Grand National win at Aintree a few weeks ago, Bertram Allen is more determined than ever to win gold for Ireland in the Rio Olympic showjumping arena.

Equestrian • 20 Apr 16

Ruby Walsh has been ruled out of the Aintree Grand National

Injury rules Ruby Walsh out of Grand National

Ruby Walsh will miss the Crabbie's Grand National meeting after suffering a wrist injury in a fall at Aintree today.

Racing • 09 Apr 16

Unsettled forecast to impact Aintree ground

Conditions on the Grand National course improved after a dry day on Monday though the weather for the three-day meeting itself is unsettled.

Racing • 05 Apr 16

Carlingford Lough seen here winning the Irish Gold Cup in February

Carlingford Lough to swerve Aintree National

Carlingford Lough will not run in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree next Saturday.

Racing • 03 Apr 16

Rogue Angel unlikely to tackle Aintree National

Rogue Angel is unlikely to line up in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week following his emotional triumph in the Irish equivalent on Easter Monday.

Racing • 29 Mar 16

Leighton Aspell had enough in hand to keep Many Clouds up to his task in the Aintree spectacular

Many Clouds victorious in Grand National

Many Clouds at odds of 25-1 won the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree for trainer Oliver Sherwood and last year's winning jockey Leighton Aspell.

Racing • 11 Apr 15

Barry Geraghty partnered The Druids Nephew to victory at the recent Cheltenham Festival

Geraghty injury rules him out of Aintree National

Barry Geraghty will miss the ride on leading Crabbie's Grand National candidate The Druids Nephew after suffering a hairline fracture to his left tibia in a fall at Downpatrick on Sunday.

Racing • 22 Mar 15

Bryan Cooper (R) riding No More Heroes in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Cooper to miss Grand National due to bans

Bryan Cooper will miss the Aintree Grand National meeting after picking up two separate bans totalling 15 days on the final day at Cheltenham.

Racing • 14 Mar 15

Shutthefrontdoor (green and gold) has a 'fair weight', says Jonjo O'Neill

'Fair weight' for Shutthefrontdoor, says O'Neill

Jonjo O'Neill believes ante-post favourite Shutthefrontdoor has been allotted a "fair weight" for this year's Grand National at Aintree.

Racing • 17 Feb 15

Barry Geraghty (r) on Shutthefrontdoor winning last year's Irish National at Fairyhouse

Aintree National aim for Shutthefrontdoor

Shutthefrontdoor is one of the more notable absentees after 24 horses stood their ground for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest forfeit stage.

Racing • 11 Feb 15

Mark Walsh is used regularly by JP McManus in Ireland

Walsh on Grand National standby for Station

Mark Walsh will partner Colbert Station if Tony McCoy opts to ride Double Seven in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Racing • 03 Apr 14

This year's Aintree highlight will see winning connections bag a purse of £1million

Tidal Bay tops National weights

Tidal Bay has been allotted top weight of 11st 10lb for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on 5 April.

Racing • 11 Feb 14

Liberty Counsel (l) on her way to winning the Fairyhouse feature last April

Counsel at liberty for Aintree bid

Liberty Counsel could bid to join an elite band of horses to win the English and Irish Grand Nationals.

Racing • 31 Aug 13

A racecourse return is planned for Cappa Bleu some time this month

Cappa Bleu plans unknown ahead of Aintree

Evan Williams is no hurry to make plans for his John Smith's Grand National hope Cappa Bleu.

Racing • 02 Jan 13

Aintree National an option for Long Run

Long Run has the John Smith's Grand National as a possible back-up plan if he is unable to contest the Gold Cup next March.

Racing • 11 Oct 12

AP saddened by the loss of Synchronised

Tony McCoy admits the death of Synchronised in last week's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree has been hard to take for everyone connected with the horse.

Racing • 21 Apr 12

Chicago still on track for Aintree

Gordon Elliott is happy with Chicago Grey's preparation ahead of the John Smith's Grand National.

Racing • 27 Mar 12

Aintree Grand National