Crabbies National Day

It's big race day with the feature being the 2014 Crabbies Grand National from Aintree.  It is the first time the race has been worth in excess of £1million and one lucky set of connections will scoop over £500,000 when their horse passes the line in front shortly after 4.15pm.  Hopefully it will be one of David's three runners - he saddles Our Father, The Package and Swing Bill.  The Package (pictured above) has shortened up in the betting all week after glowing endorsements from Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty (particularly in the light of Holywell and Ma Filleule, who filled the two places ahead of him at Cheltenham both winning yesterday) and he should give Tom Scudamore a good spin around.  Over 600 million people worlwide will be tuning in to watch the big race.  We also run Greatwood Hurdle winner Dell' Arca and Wetak on the supporting card.

I know I keep saying it, but if you have never been to the meeting you must give it a try at least once.  Ladies' day (and I use the term ladies loosely) is some experience - lots of drunken young women wearing not very much, dancing, fighting and laid out on the floor - not that I was taking that much notice!  I particularly liked the picture of the young ladies' legs from yesterday, there she was, done up in her finest complete with electronic ankle tag!  As far as I am concerned a day out at Aintree is just like going to the FA Cup Final, it really is that good.

Of yesterday's runners I thought that Baltimore Rock ran a sound race to finish fourth on his step up into Graded company, while Ballynagour ran an absolute cracker to finish a close third in the Grade One Melling Chase.  I reckon his handicap mark of 155 is likely to take another hike.  Meanwhile the Nicky Henderson trained Beat That looked very impressive as he notched the final leg of a treble - it closed things up a bit at the top of the trainers championship and the fate of the title could once again come down to who wins the big race today.

It is a busy old day with four other meetings taking place - another jumps fixture at Chepstow as well as flat meetings at Newcastle, Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

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I'm sure once today is finished with all the Scousers will be heading to London to watch Liverpool take on West Ham.  Liverpool are 2/5 favourites and I hate to say it but they look like good things.  I will not be backing them at that sort of price though and I will be cheering for my beloved Hammers.  I won't be having a dabble on the Grand National, although I will be having a little double on Aston Villa at 11/10 and Manchester United at evens.  Have a good weekend...

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