Aintree & Chepstow

Tom Scu goes to Aintree today to ride Vieux Lion Rouge and La Vaticane over the Grand Nationa fences.n  Vieux Lion Rouge runs in the 1.35pm Becher Chase over 3m2f.  There are 24 runners runners competing for £140,000 prize money.  Our seven year old had some fair form last season, including finishing seventh in the Grand National while only a novice.  You just need some luck in running but hopefully he can get some.  La Vaticane runs in the 3.15pm Grand Sefton chase over 2m5f also over the big fences.  She also has experience over the fences having finished second in the Topham in April.  She was a good second on her seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen and again with a bit of luck hopefully she can run well.

What a Moment runs in the 1.05pm at Chepstow, a novice handicap chase over 2m7f.  He has only had two starts over fences and was a nice winner at Cheltenham last time.  With a clear round he should be in the shake up with David Noonan in the saddle.  David also has Lady of Longstone and Shotavodka at Chepstow and these are also ridden by David Noonan. Lady of Longstone runs in the 2.45pm, she returns from a bit of a break and does have some good form but this looks a tough race.  The same also applies for Shotavodka who would prefer the ground a bit softer and it does look a very competitive race.

I see that jockey Trevor Ryan was banned for nine days for using the whip contrary to the conditions of the race as it was a hands and heels race.  I wonder what he is like when you can use the whip?!  It must be quite an emotional day for trainer Gary Moore today,  Two of his boys, Josh and Jamie ride in the Tingle Creek chase at 3pm and both of them look to have chances, Ar Mad and Sire De Grugy.

There are some good football matches on, Man City and Chelsea at 12.30pm and they bet 6/5 Mn City which looks good to me.  There is West Ham and Arsenal at 5.30pm and it is 4/1 West Ham.

Tiger Woods is back in golf.  He shot a round of 65 yesterday at the Hero World Challenge.  His short game looked magical but will he be able to pay four rounds at that level?

Nico Rosberg had retired from F1 after winning his first World Championship.  Maybe he is going to run his ice cream parlour in Ibiza and I am not joking!  I never let my children watch big band performances on TV - too much sax and violins!  Have a nice day.