Numbersixvalverde Upsets Favorites to Win
Numbersixvalverde, an 11-1 shot ridden by Niall Madden, upset joint favorites Hedgehunter and Clan Royal to win the 159th Grand National horse race, the U.K.'s biggest betting event.

Numbersixvalverde
When Numbersixvalverde won the Irish Grand National last season he ensured his place in history, not only as winner of that famous race, but also as the horse that gave Ruby Walsh the distinction of being the only jockey to capture the Fairyhouse contest in the same season as the John Smith’s Grand National and Coral Welsh National.

John Smith's Grand National Declared Runners 06/04/06
A full field of 40 and four reserves go forward for the big race on Saturday, the John Smith's Grand National after the final declaration stage.

Millions Express An Opinion On Grand National 07/04/06
British and Irish bookmakers reckon some £250,000,000 will be spent on John Smith’s Grand National day in betting shops, on exchanges and through the internet and telephone accounts.

Sir Rembrandt to Miss John Smith’s Grand National 06/04/06
Sir Rembrandt will miss the John Smith’s Grand National, his trainer Robert Alner announced on Thusday morning.

Ollie Magern, Ground Ball and Eurotrek out of Grand National 05/04/06
Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Ollie Magern goes for the Betfair Bowl instead. JP McManus' Ground Ball misses Grand National and goes instead for the Red Rum Chase. Paul Nichols representation in the John Smith's Grand National down to six after vet rules out Eurotrek.

Revised Ratings Determine Fair John Smith’s Grand National Eliminations 04/04/06
The revised ratings of John Smith’s Grand National runners, which will be used to determine the eliminations from the current 84 entries to a field of 40 runners, were released today.

Hedgehunter At Aintree On Wednesday 04/04/06
Hedgehunter, winner of last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, is scheduled to arrive at Aintree on Wednesday.

Cowell, Green and Rose aim to raise a million for the NSPCC 04/04/06
If Le Duc or Le Roi Miguel wins this Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, it will trigger a million-pound pay day for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Heros Collonges a Peake Purchase 03/04/06
Heros Collonges, eighth in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, will be the first-ever runner for Andy Peake in the National, after the Haydock businessman bought the horse from John Hales for an undisclosed fee.

Dick Francis To Open New Weighing Room Complex At Aintree 29/03/06
This year sees the 50th anniversary of the famous Grand National of 1956, which will always be remembered for the defeat of the Queen Mother's Devon Loch rather than the victory of E.S.B.

Grand National Greats Reunited From Foinavon to ESB 29/03/06
Jockeys past and present will be in attendance at the William Hill Grand National Preview evening on Tuesday 4th April , when John Buckingham, the rider of Foinavon, talks about his experiences of the great race.

Meade And Todhunter Consider John Smith’s Grand National Options
22/02/06
Noel Meade and Martin Todhunter are mulling over their options following last week’s publication of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National, to be run at Aintree on Saturday, April 8.

Monkerhostin Tops The Weights For The 2006 John Smith's Grand National 14/02/06
Monkerhostin has been allocated top-weight of 11st 12lb for the 2006 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree by senior BHB NH handicapper, Phil Smith, who uses his discretion rather than official ratings to frame the handicap for this unique race.

Irish Target The John Smith’s Grand National With Record Entry 02/02/06
A very healthy 148 entries are revealed today (Thursday, February 2) for the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 8. This is the third highest number of entries in the history of the world’s greatest chase and is just below last year’s record number of 152 entries and the 2003 figure of 149.

Citroën Inject Horsepower Into Aintree 12/01/06
Aintree Racecourse announced today that Citroën will become an Official Partner to the John Smith's Grand National meeting, having signed a two-year deal to cover the 2006 and 2007 events.

Hedgehunter aimed at National again 16/11/05
Trainer Willie Mullins today reported that last year's winner Hedgehunter would again be aimed at the John Smith's Grand National and may take on some of the top staying chasers along the way in races such as Leopardstown's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham.