The Cheltenham October Showcase Meeting recorded its highest ever attendance, with 20,585 punters going through the turnstiles across the two days. Racecourse bosses have attributed this to the student racing initiative Invades, who brought 5000 to the Best Mate enclosure on Friday. This represents the biggest turnout for the meeting since the 2007 renewal, when the fixture was shifted to the weekend for the first time.

Carlisle host a competitive eight-race card of jumping on Thursday, with two divisions of a Class 4 novice hurdle and a two-mile handicap chase.

Obey The Rules is backed to make the long journey from Malpas to Wincanton pay dividends with victory in the Dot Tolson Memorial Handicap Chase.

The name McCain is synonymous with Aintree success and on the 50th anniversary of Red Rum’s first triumph on Merseyside, Donald McCain will bid for his second Randox Grand National victory with Minella Trump.

Somewhat Cloudy is expected to make it two from two over fences in the Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Handicap Chase at Wetherby.