COTSWOLD racing trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is hoping for a historic double after news that Bindaree has been given the all clear to run in this year's Martell Cognac Grand National.

Following an outbreak of equine herpes on the eve of last month's Cheltenham Festival the champion trainer's stables in Naunton were quarantined.

Two horses, Joyeuse and Cresswell Cherry, died as a result of the disease and a third unnamed horse battled for survival. The source of the virus, which is very rare in racing stables and not transmittable to humans, has yet to be discovered.

The outbreak scuppered the trainer's hopes for the festival as his stables were put off limits for two weeks and horses had to be exercised in small groups to stop the infection spreading.

Now, after inspections by the animal health trust the Grange Hill Farm stables have been reopened and Bindaree given permission to run.

The horse was given a hero's welcome when returning to the Hollow Bottom Inn at Guiting Power after winning last year.

The Naunton trainer will be hoping for similar success in Saturday's big race at Aintree.

"Bindaree has been kept totally clear and everything seems fine with him," said Mr Twiston-Davies. So far this season Mr Twiston-Davies has sent out 29 winners to some of the top fixtures of the racing calendar.