The Grand National is under pressure from all angles and whilst there are a lot of issues to deal with, it is surely the greatest spectacle in racing. Last year was a bad year for the race with horses sadly killed and the bad press, but no stone has been left unturned to make the race as safe as possible. Enjoy it for what it is, ten minutes of drama, dreams, excitement, pleasure and hope, hope you might win a few bob.
I have loved the National ever since 1977, when one of my dad's mates put a bet on for me. I gave him £2 of my paper round money to put on his choice and watched the race with the whole family. His selection was the legendary Red Rum and when the great horse roared in to win the race for the third time, the buzz was amazing. The £20 winnings bought a hell of lot of subbuteo teams,most notably Liverpool & Barcelona, the grandstand & floodlights and I have been hooked ever since.
The once a year punters will be out in force, the old grannies will be clogging up the tills in the bookies and old mates will be coming out of the woodwork looking for tips.
The race is like no other and whilst it is a lottery and you need a lot of luck, it has fallen to the classier types in recent years. This year's Gold Cup winner Synchronised has got a great chance, as has last year's winner Ballabriggs and both will go close, but picking either one of those is too easy.
I like to find one with a story, so for what its worth heres my three against the field.
1.PLANET OF SOUND;10yo Trainer P.Hobbs
Three years ago at Aintree I had the first five winners on the first day of the Aintree meeting and was in line for the jackpot and placepot. The final leg was Planet Of Sound. The favourite fell at the first and this one was cruising along, I was watching it in the Corals in the town with a couple of old boys and they were of the opinion I had it in the bag. Planet Of Sound hit the front and I nearly had a coronary, however he hit the last fence and faded into third.
I had the placepot up which paid £79, but the agony of how close I was, was when the jackpot dividend came up......£20K and change.
Phil the ex-jockey in the bookies laughed and said
"You'll have a long white beard down to your knees, before you get that close again!"
Needed that comment, it was like a knife into my gutted gut!
Anyway this horse has a serious chance, is a Grade 1 winner has been laid out for the race, has run two good trials in the Hennessy and King George and the stable is flying. Likes a flat track on goodish ground and if getting into a nice rythymn will go close and pay me back, its karma I tell you.
2.ALWAYS RIGHT 10yo Trainer J.Wade
This one has been a long term fancy of mine for the race after he ran a blinder in last year's Scottish National when beaten only a length into 3rd. Showed he had the stamina as that trip was over 4 miles and is a strong fancy. Has since been disappointing since, but has had a little operation to help his breathing and if that works he has a major chance. Looks like hes been laid out for the race too and can go close. Always Waining won The Topham over the big fences yesterday, what price the double?
Also when it comes to National, I'd like to think I am ....always right.
3.RARE BOB 10yo trainer Dessie Hughes
This one has a great chance despite his silly odds.Have had a bit on at 40's and when he drifted to 50's had to have a little more. Has run well at Aintree before and looks to have the right profile for the race. Has won a Grade 1, has been placed in an Irish Grand National, has hammered the fancied Organisedconfusion in the past, is the right age and looks like hes been laid out for the race. Caught the eye last time when staying on nicely and would have given the one time favourite for this race Prince de Beauchene a fright at last year's meeting but for unseating late on. Trainer Dessie Hughes has gone close in the past and is due a change of fortune. Whether he will stay well enough to win is one thing, but he will give us a good spin for our money. Likes to race up with the pace so hopefully can keep out of trouble and who knows what may happen on the second circuit. The final piece of the jigsaw is that hes the only one of the field I have captured in action and Tom Segal, Mr Pricewise, has tipped him up too....great minds and all that!
The legendary late Ginger McCain, trainer of Red Rum and father of Ballabriggs trainer Donald holds court in 2010. This year's Grand National meeting won't be the same without him. It's somewhat ironic it's the Beebs final coverage.Calgary Bay is another fancy, but you can have ten stabs at this race and not back the winner.
Enjoy the spectacle, hopefully both human and equine participants return home safely, a new legend will be borne.
May the horse be with you.
Randy.
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