Grand National Day!

It is Grand National day today and British racing will become the sporting focus of the world at 4.15pm.  As well as the big meeting from Aintree there is jump racing from Chepstow and flat action from Lingfield, Newcastle and Wolverhampton.  The stable runs Soll, Un Temps Pour Tout and Baltimore Rock at Aintree and Perspicace and Bladoun at Chepstow.  Soll (pictured above) is our sole runner in the Grand National and he is unbeaten in two starts since joining the stable this season - he has twice run creditably over these fences and has crept in at the bottom of the weights.  He looks certain to stay the trip and although any more rain will aid his cause, a big run is expected under Tom Scudamore.

Meanwhile, over at Chepstow David looks to have a couple of solid chances in Perspicace and Bladoun who will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell.  I see that Conor has picked up spare rides for the likes of Paul Nicholls and Rebecca Curtis and it is good to see him getting a few outside rides.

The stable was out of luck in the Topham Chase over the National fences yesterday with our three runners either pulling-up, falling or unseating.  The trouble as far as I can see, is with the ground riding relatively quick, the runners seem to go even faster and with the additional speed there are always going to be more fallers.  Hopefully everybody will come back safe and sound this afternoon - the course officials have watered the track so that should help slow things down a little.

Our landlord for the duration of the Aintree meeting, Gino had a runner at Aintree yesterday afternoon (Black Lion) that finished fourth, so he was in quite a good mood last night!  We went to the Lounge Bar in Chester and it was certainly an enjoyable evening.  I didn't think there seemed to be so many people there over the last couple of days, but apparently it was a sell-out.  There were plenty of orange fillies on display yesterday and they all seemed to enjoy themselves (especially after the last!).  The flip flop man always does a roaring trade at Aintree as he helps the ladies on their long walk home!

MCP will come up today for the big race.  He only ever comes up for the last day of the Grand National meeting and this year it will be particularly poignant as it will be A P McCoy's last ever ride in the big race.  I am sure the champ will get a great reception.

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What an incredible score for Jordan Spieth through the first 36 holes of the US Masters at Augusta.  His -14 for the first two rounds is a record and he is currently five shots clear at the top of the field.

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It is also the boat race this afternoon.  I remember when it used to be quite a big event, although it receives hardly any publicity these days.

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I will be having a cheeky little treble on the football today with Liverpool at 4/9, Southampton at 8/13 and Tottenham at 8/13...you heard it here first.

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