Numbersixvalverde outgamed co-favorites Hedgehunter and Clan Royal to nail the $1.22 million Grand National Steeplechase Handicap at Aintree on Saturday, giving Niall "Slippers" Madden the victory in his first ride in the 4 1/2-mile race.

The highly regarded Walk in the Park returns after a near 10-month absence Sunday at Longchamp in the Group 2, $159,000 Prix d'Harcourt at 1 1/4 miles.

Second to Motivation in the Epsom Derby last June, Walk in the Park next finished a distant eighth in the Irish Derby, after which trainer John Hammond put him away for the season.

Walk in the Park's most dangerous rival is probably Archange d'Or, a 10-furlong specialist.

A highly competitive renewal of the Grade 1, $1.76 million Oka Sho, or Japanese 1000 Guineas, at Hanshin on Sunday has attracted the winners of all eight graded stakes run for 2- and 3-year-old fillies in Japan this year and last, as well as 10 of the top 11 ranked juvenile fillies of 2005.

T M Precure earned the 2-year-old filly title with her win last December in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over the Oka Sho course and distance of one mile.

Hedgehunter goes in search of a second successive victory in the 4 1/2-mile, $1.22 million Grand National Steeplechase Handicap at Aintree on Saturday. Hedgehunter is emboldened by a sharp second-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, but has been saddled with co-highweight of 168 pounds, along with last year's runner-up, Royal Auclair.

Cesario, winner of the Japanese Oaks and American Oaks in 2005, has been retired from racing due to an inflamed ligament in her right foreleg. Her trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii, discovered the problem on Monday.

"I am very sorry not to see her race again," Sumii said, "but I hope she will enjoy her second life and produce good foals at Northern Farm," the Hokkaido stud farm where she was foaled in March 2002.

Mauralakana remained undefeated against fillies when she cruised to a two-length victory Tuesday at Maisons-Laffitte in the listed Prix Imprudence. The seven-furlong Imprudence, the first important French prep for any of the various European 1000 Guineas, was run on heavy ground that Mauralakana had no trouble with, covering the distance in 1:30.20.

Mauralakana's only two losses in six career starts came against colts last year when she was third in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and fourth in the Group 1 Prix Morny.

Changes in the centuries-old systems by which racing in Britain is run are being introduced at a rapid rate this week. On Monday, the Jockey Club relinquished control of its regulatory aspect over the sport and a new group, the Horseracing Regulatory Authority, took control. And on Tuesday, the British Horseracing Board gave its approval for all races to be drawn on a 48-hour basis.

NEW YORK - While famous 18th century names such as George Washington and Horatio Nelson dominate the early spring classic conversation, the most eagerly anticipated event of the new European flat racing season is the unveiling of Ascot's 21st century, $350 million grandstand on May 27.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A six-length win by Discreet Cat in Saturday's $2 million UAE Derby has heightened interest in whether the colt will start in the Kentucky Derby on May 6, but a decision will not be made for a few weeks, according to Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

Crisford said that the options include starting in the Kentucky Derby, with a possible prep in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 15, or waiting for the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 20.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Electrocutionist's victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday set off wild celebrations in Dubai, which jockey Frankie Dettori said left him feeling "numb."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, received a polite round of applause when he walked past the stands en route to the paddock. But after Electrocutionst returned from his victory, with jockey Dettori beaming, the applause turned to impassioned and sustained cheers.

The local horse had beaten the American invaders.