The Grand National is just days away and a racing expert has named his three picks for the big race

A racing expert has revealed his three picks for the 2026 Grand National.

With the festival at Aintree taking place over three days, all attention will be firmly fixed on horse racing’s most iconic event – the Grand National – which begins at 4pm on Saturday, April 11.

This year’s race looks particularly wide open, with the likes of 2024 winner I am Maximus and last year’s champion, Nick Rockett, both expected to feature. Picking the winner from 34 runners over the 30 famous fences is no easy task for any punter.

But Ladbrokes ambassador Josh Stacey has named three runners he believes could be set for a standout performance. Among them is the bold 25-1 selection Stellar Story for those looking for a bigger price.

Sharing his exclusive tips, Stacey said: “The modern National often favours classier, higher-weighted runners but if this turns into a proper stamina test, Stellar Story fits the bill perfectly. A thorough stayer, he’s a Grade 1-winning hurdler who keeps finding off the bridle. If it becomes attritional, he could outrun his odds.”

For those seeking a horse specifically trained for this very moment, Stacey points towards Willie Mullins’ camp. While Captain Cody hasn’t been at his best recently, Stacey is backing the 20-1 gelding to come good on the day.

The racing broadcaster said: “Not at his peak since landing last season’s Scottish National but this has clearly been the long-term target. Stamina is assured, he handles spring ground well, and if arriving in top form, he’s a major contender.”

Stacey also named 16-1 shot Panic Attack among his top selections. The mare arrives at Merseyside on the back of an impressive third-place finish at the Cheltenham Festival, with Stacey convinced that the longer distance will suit her perfectly.

He said: “A standout for Dan Skelton this season, landing both the Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cup. She arrives in great form after a strong Festival third against sharper rivals. Nicely weighted and travelling powerfully, she’ll have backers dreaming turning for home.”

Stacey’s backing of the Dan Skelton yard with Panic Attack comes as little surprise. Skelton has established himself as the master of target training for such handicap chases.

The fact Panic Attack has already claimed both a Paddy Power and a Coral Gold Cup this season suggests she is the most improved stayer currently in training. If she handles the unique Aintree fences, she could become the horse to finally bring end the 75-year wait for a female runner to win the famous race.

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently expressed their interest in existing and new areas of cooperation in cricket with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through a letter. “We maintain regular communication with various countries’ cricket boards. As part of that regular communication, we recently reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India via a letter, through an email, to communicate with them”, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Director (Cricket Operations) of BCB, told ANI, over the phone.

“In the letter, we mentioned that the Indian national cricket team is scheduled to come to Bangladesh in September to play a series, and after that, our women’s team is supposed to go to India. We also included in the letter a request to explore any other possibilities for reciprocal cricket collaborations,” he added.

Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL), had hired a Bangladeshi player, Mustafizur Rahman, to play in the tournament. However, due to political objections from local parties, the BCCI didn’t permit Mustafizur to play. And this created a bit of a rift between Bangladesh and India.

After the controversy, Bangladesh boycotted the T20 World Cup in India.

After the election on February 12, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government took power, and relations between Bangladesh and India have been improving.

On April 7 and 8, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, is visiting India. In the context of improving relations between the two countries, cooperation in cricket is also increasing.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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As he enters his fifth season training, Reece Goodwin maintains his habit of checking online sales for low-cost horses.

Coastwatch, a previous stakes winner, represents one of his latest picks, heading into the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in his first start for the new handler.

Initially trained by Chris Waller, Coastwatch later joined Richard and Will Freedman, the father-son partnership, until being sold after a last-place effort at Canberra back in November.

Coastwatch triumphed in a Listed race at Sandown earlier in 2025, though the gelding was unplaced in all eight starts thereafter.

Goodwin believes Coastwatch matches the profile for his stable upon acquiring him.

“It’s what we have been doing for a number of years now,” Goodwin said.

“He’s a horse that has shown plenty of ability previously and tapered off in form for whatever reason, and sometimes we can get them going again, and sometimes we don’t.

“The older they are and the higher rated they are, the tougher it is to get them going, but it wasn’t too long ago that he was running OK and everything is price relative as well.

“If he had brought $40,000 or $50,000, we wouldn’t have him, but he only made $20,000 which we thought was a price worth risking on a horse that is going to be running in a race like Saturday, a $200,000 race, even though it’s probably a bit more competitive, or stronger, than I anticipated.”

Goodwin holds no high hopes for quick success with Coastwatch, who has trialled well lately, notably third at Pakenham behind Doncaster Mile fancy Sheza Alibi.

Coastwatch draws poorly for Saturday, Goodwin observed, yet closing well would delight the trainer.

“We’ll probably ride him quiet, but it would be good to see him getting through the line late and then we’ll look to step him up to 1600 (metres) second up and see him a bit more competitive then,” Goodwin said.

“We won’t be searching for anything interstate. We’ll keep him at home and try and pick off a race or two and we basically only have to win one of these races to be well in front.

“He does handle some sting out of the ground and being an older horse with some wear and tear, he certainly wouldn’t suit summer.

“We’re just looking for a good kick-off on Saturday and building our way from there.”

Visit betting sites to find racing odds for the Group 3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.

Orlando Magic (41-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-53, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -3; over/under is 235.5

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BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to end its seven-game slide when the Pelicans take on Orlando.

The Pelicans are 16-23 on their home court. New Orleans is 14-24 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Magic are 17-20 in road games. Orlando has an 18-25 record against teams above .500.

The Pelicans score 114.9 points per game, 0.5 fewer points than the 115.4 the Magic give up. The Magic average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Pelicans allow.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic defeated the Pelicans 128-118 in their last matchup on Jan. 11. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 27 points, and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Bane is averaging 20.4 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 111.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.

Magic: 3-7, averaging 114.2 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.6 points.

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INJURIES: Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).

Magic: Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Heavyweights Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder will reach a combined 100 professional fights when they meet at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

British veteran Chisora, 42, made his professional debut in 2007 and has recorded 36 wins and 13 defeats.

Former world heavyweight champion Wilder, 40, was once considered the most feared puncher in boxing. However, he has lost four of his last six bouts, leaving his record at 44-4-1.

Chisora says this will be his final fight. If he is to be believed, can he bow out on a high? And with Wilder no longer at his peak, could a win on the road reignite his career?

BBC Sport asks figures from across the boxing world for their predictions.

It is 11:29 p.m. in freezing Zenica when Haris Tabaković places the ball on the spot for the decisive World Cup playoff clash between Bosnia and Italy. Facing him is Gianluigi Donnarumma, one of the best goalkeepers of this generation. Gladbach’s loan striker takes one last deep breath, then smashes the ball unstoppably under the crossbar. He screams out his relief, flexes his muscles, and ecstatically thumps his broad Bosnian chest.

Four penalty takers later, his home country sensationally books its World Cup ticket and sends Italy into despair. Also because Tabaković had forced extra time with his goal late in regular time. Now, at 31, he is heading to the World Cup. A scenario that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Back then, it seemed the train for a big career had already left the station.

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In the spring of 2020, the striker found himself without a contract after suffering a torn ACL at Hungarian club Diósgyőri. Despite being available on a free transfer, finding a new club was no easy task. Many clubs could not or would not take the risk, also because of the coronavirus pandemic and its financial consequences.

In this existential crisis, Alexander Kiene entered the picture. At the time, the German coach was in charge of Austria Lustenau in Austria’s second division and saw the potential in the unattached striker. However, the enthusiasm was not mutual at first: “Haris was initially skeptical because it was only the second division,” Kiene recalls in an interview with ‘Bild’.

📸 Alex Bierens de Haan – 2026 Getty Images

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But since Tabaković had gone almost a full year without match practice, he agreed to take the gamble after intensive talks. It proved to be the starting signal for an impressive transformation. According to Kiene, the success was based on three pillars. First, the focus was on mental strength: “We had a lot of one-on-one conversations,” reports the 48-year-old. Tabaković also sought outside help from a mental coach to grow into his new role as a leader.

Secondly, the striker worked relentlessly on his physique to regain trust in his own body after the serious injury. During this time, the Bosnian also put on a considerable amount of muscle mass. The third factor was the tactical system, which was perfectly tailored to him: “We defended high, had short distances to goal, and worked the ball into the box with lots of passes and crosses,” Kiene explains. For him, the collaboration was a “win-win situation for everyone involved.”

The raw numbers prove him right: in 48 competitive matches for Lustenau, Tabaković scored a phenomenal 46 goals and also provided 11 assists. That rate catapulted his career to a new level. Via Austria Wien, he moved to Hertha BSC, where he became the top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga. After a spell at Hoffenheim, he eventually ended up on loan with the Foals on the Lower Rhine.

There, he personally also made a very good start. In 26 matches, he has managed 11 goals and four assists. That also makes him Gladbach’s top scorer this season. Although he has now gone five Bundesliga matches without scoring, he recently showed — not least in the national team shirt — that he has certainly not lost his nose for goal.

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A development that does not surprise his biggest and perhaps most important mentor: “In the end, he achieved all of this because he is a complete professional who truly lives for football,” says Kiene. In his private life as well, Tabaković leaves nothing to chance, continuing his education in FIFA sports management courses and reading specialist literature on entrepreneurship.

When Tabaković returns from the national team full of confidence and self-belief, the focus will clearly shift back to the Bundesliga and Borussia. In the home game against bottom side Heidenheim, he will want to end his little dry spell. Not only would a win mean another huge step toward safety, but with every additional goal, the loan striker strengthens his case for staying permanently in Mönchengladbach. Even though Gladbach do not have a purchase option for the 31-year-old, a permanent move is not out of the question. Tabaković is still under contract at Hoffenheim until 2027.

“For now, it’s still an open and honest ‘I don’t know,’” Tabaković told ‘RP online’ when asked about his future. “There haven’t been any talks, so I really can’t say anything about it. The eight games can still change a lot, including the perspective of sporting directors, if I put myself in their shoes. I don’t know what will happen,” he adds.

Still, a certain degree of planning certainty would not be unwelcome for him, as he reveals in the same interview. After all, this summer he has other commitments too — together with Edin Džeko and company.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

World boxing champion Lauren Price says the structure in her life is what gives her the “confidence” to win.

Price splits her time between her home in Wales and her training camp in Sheffield, living away from her family and partner in the build-up to a fight.

On Saturday she will fight in front of a home crowd in Cardiff to defend her titles against Stephanie Pineiro.

READ MORE: Price v Pineiro, Chisora v Wilder – all you need to know

Watch Price v Pineiro on Saturday from 17:00 BST on BBC iPlayer and from 22:00 on BBC Two.

Northampton Saints reached the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals after a battling 49-41 win over Castres.

French side Castres raced into a 12-0 lead after only 10 minutes through tries from Christian Ambadiang and Theo Chabouni, before Saints were awarded a penalty try with the lively Ambadiang shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

Castres were reduced to 13 players when lock Guillaume Ducat caught Henry Pollock in the ruck to receive another yellow, but they increased their lead with a penalty before Danilo Fischetti went over as Saints went in at half-time trailing 15-14.

The hosts led for the first time five minutes into the second half when Archie McParland’s pass sent Josh Kemeny over, and the lead was increased to 13 when Tommy Freeman got on the scoresheet.

The deficit was back to one after tries from Tyler Ardron and Vuate Karawalevu, but scores by George Furbank and McParland put Saints back in charge.

Vilimoni Botitu reduced the arrears to eight, but Castres lost Veresa Ramototabua to the sin bin and Northampton took advantage when Fraser Dingwall crashed over.

Ambadiang had the last word with a final-minute burst from halfway, but Saints were home and hosed by then as they booked a tie with either Bath or Saracens in the last eight.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Virat Kohli has returned to the Indian Premier League with immediate impact, delivering a match-winning performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The veteran batter appears focused on helping RCB defend the title they secured for the first time last season. Interestingly, Kohli entered the tournament without a prolonged preparation phase. After India’s last ODI assignment in January, he took a break before travelling to England and has since been spending more time in London with his family. The move, aimed at staying away from the constant spotlight in India, hasn’t impacted his performances, as he continues to deliver on the field. However, his decision to base himself in London has sparked chatter on social media, with some even poking fun at the situation. Addressing the buzz in a light-hearted exchange with Danish Sait, who appeared in his popular Mr Nags persona, Kohli was asked about the jokes suggesting RCB were fielding five overseas players. Kohli, smiling, brushed it off with humour: “I don’t know, why are you asking me? Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player. Am I an overseas player?” Reflecting on RCB’s long-awaited title win, Kohli spoke about the emotional release that followed years of near-misses. Winning the trophy in his 18th season with the franchise brought a sense of relief that he had long chased. “I had heard of this statement or this saying, four years, monkey off the back. That night I really felt what it means. Everything became light,” he added. The former India captain also offered a deeper perspective on what success represents after years of dedication and perseverance. For Kohli, victory is not just about the result but about validation of the effort invested over time. “Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time. A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice to the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder,” Kohli said.

In a busy opening period, neither side could really establish an early foothold on the game.

Cliftonville went close midway through the half when Jonny Addis’ low free-kick from just outside the penalty area brushed the outside of the side netting on its way past.

As the Reds began to gain some form of dominance, Rory Hale’s inch-perfect through ball sent Brian Healy clear of the Dungannon rearguard but Danny Wallace recovered superbly to poke the ball behind for a corner at full stretch.

Dungannon posed little threat to the Cliftonville goal in the opening 45 minutes with Gael Bigirimana’s long-range shot straight at Reds keeper PJ Morrison.

The Swifts first clear-cut opening of the game came just after the hour mark when Dillon’s pinpoint ball from midfield sent full-back Shea Gordon clear behind the Cliftonville defence, but his shot lacked conviction and Morrison was able to save with his outstretched foot.

At the other end, Rory Hale created half a yard of space before finding Liam McStravick with a pass, but the attacker’s tame shot was always straight at Declan Dunne.

Dungannon spurned another big opening late on as Gordon once again got himself into an advanced position and when his initial shocked was saved by Morrison, the ball bounced up but substitute Andrew Mitchell could only loop his header onto the top of the net.

Rodney McAree’s side enjoyed their best spell at the start of extra-time and were rewarded on 98 minutes when Mitchell cut the ball back from the right-hand side of the penalty area into the path of the in-rushing Kealan Dillon, who smashed a shot high into the net past Morrison.

Cliftonville had penalty appeals waved away in the second period of extra time after referee Morrison adjudged that Cahal McGinty had blocked Keevan Hawthorne’s low cross with his body rather than a hand.

But there was one final twist in stoppage time at the end of extra time as Hawthorne’s corner was bundled home at the near post via a combination of Joe Sheridan and defender Danny Wallace with what proved the last action of the game.

In the penalty shootout, Dungannon scored all four of their penalties while Sheridan saw his effort saved and Wilson dragged his effort wide of the post.