Now that the dust has firmly settled from the fantastic spectacle that is The Cheltenham Festival, the next aspect of "The Rites Of Spring" fall squarely on the shoulders of The Lincoln and The Grand National.
To me The Lincoln, run at Doncaster marks the real start of the flat season and The Grand National marks the end of the jumps, a handover period if you like.
Being an old school punter I can never resist an ante-post poke on both, just for the fun of it.Fresh from a wonderful Cheltenham punting, one I'm sure will not be repeated for a very long time.
Right from the minute the kind Carol from Racing Uk rang me to tell I'd won two club tickets, Stan James VIP badges and free car parking for the opening day of The Festival, in an online competition I couldn't remember entering, I knew there were strange things afoot.
The ante-post bets posted (http://randyrannracing.foliopic.com/) showed an amazing profit of 122.50 points to stakes asdvised.
The Thursday saw the punt shown on the slip landed, which paid for my week off, and I hope all three of those backed that day run again at the Aintree meeting, as I think they can all win again.
The real icing on the cake, however was landing the Olbg Cheltenham Festival Tipping Competition, with a level stakes profit of +£59.80p over the four days, not bad considering I tipped a horse in every race.
For free tips and the chance to win some prizes on the friendly Olbg site, wannabe tipsters should click on (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/?tx126897)
Anyway, you can't rest on your laurels in this game and a fall normally follows such success so back to the matter in hand of trying to land The Spring Double.
First up is The William Hill Lincoln Handicap on Saturday 2nd April, run over the straight mile at Doncaster which is like a calvary charge from the off.
I like the look of GUNNER LINDLEY trained by Barry Hills, who likes to start the season with a few winners at the meeting. His string is in pretty good form and if this one gets in he must have a major chance off such a low weight. One of my favourite horses from last season he showed progressive form winning on his last start after a narrow defeat on his previous run in decent handicaps. He looks sure to improve as a 4 year old and though fitness has to be taken on trust, the form of the stable is a real positive. At the time of writing Gunner Lindley needs 5 to come out of the race to ensure he gets in and if he does, he rates a cracking ew bet at around 14-1. His trainer will always be linked with the Lincoln as this is the race that set him up with the proceeds of Frankincense's win in 1968.
A week after this we have The Grand National run over a gruelling four and a half miles at Aintree and you need a huge amount of luck just to get round in this race. A special type of horse wins the Grand National and lately classier types have won their fair share, the ability to jump and proven stamina are a must, as is a good level of form, even if you have to dig a bit to find it.
This year I do like the enigmatic TIDAL BAY at around 40-1. He is just the quirky type who could take to these unique fences and run a big race. He is likely to drop himself out and leave himself a lot to do, but with the really long run-in here, after the last, it might just suit him. He was classy enough to win an Arkle and has decent form around Aintree too, a bit of cut in the ground wouldn't go amiss either and if anywhere near the leaders approaching the last, he could reel them in late on. He ran pretty well in this year's Gold Cup again flying at the death, this extended trip, might just be what he's been looking for. Despite looking a dodgy jumper at times he has never fallen and if on a going day 40-1 looks too big a price.
Another one I like at a massive price is David Pipe's FAASEL @ 100-1. I just hope he gets into the race as he needs a few above him to come out. He ran a cracker at Cheltenham in the Kim Muir and that staying chase was always considered a good trial for The Grand National itself. He stayed on pretty well behind his well punted on stablemate Junior in that race and looks an out galloper to me. He is the right age at 10 years old and boasts some pretty good form around Aintree, he even managed to win a Grade 1 Novice
Hurdle in the past. Another one who has been questioned in the past but is a pretty safe ride and might surprise a few. Only had 2 runs this season and come here a fresh horse, I'm hoping he's been plotted up for this!
The great AP McCoy(right) celebrating his historic win in the 2010 Grand National in the winner's enclosure onboard Don't Push It, who will follow in his footsteps this year?Happy Punting and Good Luck
Randy.
