There’s some sad news coming out of Aintree. Dark Raven who fell in the Maghull Novices’ Chase has had to be put down due to his injuries.

“I'm afraid we have some bad news. It was a heavy fall... I'm afraid he had to be put down, our sympathies.”

Full result:

1. Sire Du Berlais - 8/1

2. Marie’s Rock - 5/1

3. Flooring Porter - 3/1

4. Meet And Greet - 16/1

Out of nowhere! Sire Du Berlais kept himself at the back of the field for most of the race before flying through the middle and leaping over the last hurdle mere inches behind Maries Rock and Flooring Porter.

Down the final stretch Mark Walsh kicks him on and edges him ahead of Marie’s Rock to cross the line in first place! Great ride.

Marie’s Rock crusies up alongside Flooring Porter as Sure Du Berlais comes through the field and leaps over the last just behind the two leaders.

It’ll be a sprint to the finish!

Home By The Lee continues to lose ground as Monmiral kicks on and moves into third place. Dashel Drasher has moved closer to Flooring Porter who still leads with three hurdles to go.

Marie’s Rock moves into contention now too.

Flooring Porter is dictating this race out at the front of the pack with six hurdles to go. Home By The Lee has dropped off slightly with Dashel Drasher trying to close the gap in second place.

Dashel Drasher and Home By The Lee have decent positions near the front of the field but it’s Flooring Porter - the favourite - who leads by two lengths.

Sire Du Berlais is out at the back of the field.

And they’re off!

Harry Skelton, who rode West Balboa to victory in today’s second race will be on Le Milos in the Grand National. He told Racing TV:

“This is one of the greatest meetings there is. We are about to have the world’s best race there is and we are lucky to be involved in such a great sport.

Just two more races to go until the Grand National. Next up is the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.

There are four leading potential runners in this one. Flooring Porter, Home By The Lee, Marie’s Rock and Champ are all favoured but in this 10-horse field there are plenty to like.

Dashel Drasher comes in off a win at Cheltenham and Sire Du Berlais has won plenty of big races too. Not an easy race to pick this one.