Well guy's - just a few days to go until the Aintree meeting gets under way. Really looking forward to it - looks like there are some superb races on Thurs and Fri.

My tips at the moment for the National are: Silver By Nature, West End Rocker, Midnight Chase (if runs) and Our Monty.

Good Luck All.

Let's hope that no horses die this year.

What tvvat at Sky decided on us having a 3.15 k.o at HKR on Saturday?

Can't wait, the Saturday is always quality. Usual plan is a few beers, try and win a bit on the novice races + Aintree Hurdle, then scatter a few quid on my National fancies.

May try and catch the Thursday and Friday too, depends if I can get in & out of work early. Otherwise will be a Sky+ job.

I need some quality picks for this, more the Thursday & Friday. I'm happy to take a helpless punt on the National.

The wife is away the weekend, going away for her 30th. I've probably got about forty quid to have a flutter on the Thursday & Friday. I'm hoping with you fine men providing me with winners galore, I'll be collecting and then, well y'know ... having a decent laugh whilst she's away,.

I fancied Frankie Figg for the big one, never seen a horse jump the national fences like it!

However it's now down to run in the Topham on Friday, I'll be hammering it!

Fascinating battle ahead between Big Bucks and Grands Crus in the Meeting opener on Thursday. Carlito Brigante also in the race. Difficult to ignore Big Bucks but Grands Crus has a great chance again after Cheltenham.

I'm liking Carole's Legacy to turn over Denman in the Totesport Bowl (AP on board aswell).

Can't wait - the first Aintree meeting I'm going to miss in 4 years, so i'll be busy in the Bookies.

Anybody know which Bookies are doing 5 places for the National?

Skybet

im gunna put 5er e/w on niech market

The price on Character Building will get smashed by Saturday. Grey horse, in pink colours and a female jockey. Good e/w poke.

Like to back horses at Aintree who either didn't go Cheltenham or have but haven't had too many runs this season which is one of the reasons I fancy Binocular this week so much.

A below form Denman could be beat but the two I fancy to get near are Nacarat and Punchestowns both need to step up and run to their best form, Punchestowns could have alot more to give but has shown none this season so its Denman for me.

Is that an each way poke for the female jockey ?

Has a female ever been placed (I guess we have to call placed first 4). Think Rosemary Henderson came 5th but don't think many bookies went 5 places in those days.

Good lay, perhaps?

No double entendre intended.

Perhaps, but 7th last year, think 4th at the last fence last year...the stars are aligned for pinstickers, so depends on price close to the off.



Erm, I wouldn't want to sully a young lady's reputation with talk like that!

Can only think it is due to the Masters

Paul Nicholls has revealed in his Betfair column that both Zarkandar and Big Buck's have suffered minor setbacks this week. Big Buck's not eating Monday or Tuesday but tests came back fine and is now eating again.

Zarkandar had an abcess earlier in the week. He will love the track though I reckon, seems to like anything though - handled Cheltenham as well as he did Kempton.

May have put me off TBH. Certainly glad Paul was up front enough to let the betting public know.

Big Buck's should still do it IMO. Zarkandar should win, but, as with all novice races, there could be something lurking in the wings. Grandouet can not be underestimated whatsoever, I think he could trump him.

Dunno if I'll be backing anything, depends if I can get away from work early, but here are my quick selections for the first day.

1400 Big Buck's
1430 Grandouet
1505 Denman
1540 Fort View e/w
1615 Tchico Polos
1650 Medermit
1725 Bothy e/w

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/11/04/06/manual_204856.html&BID=465Sporting Life Nicholls Article[/url

Do horses that have run at Cheltenham tend to bounce at this meeting ?

Cheltenham can take a lot out of some horses, whereas some trainers decide to train a horse specifically for Aintree and bypass Cheltenham.

Some can win at both meetings, but at the same time it isn't surprising to see a good winner at Cheltenham run below par.

Far from impressed with it. Missing it for the first year since i was about 12. Lets hope the radio coverage wont be too bad.

Only 3 Cheltenham Festival winners in 2010 won at the Aintree meeting that same year those were

- Big Bucks
- Peddlers Cross
- Albertas Run

In general i'd say yes to your question.. as completly different track, different day and who knows how much has been taken out of a horse geared up in some of the most competitive races in the season.

Sucked in by the favs in the four big races, nothing standing out at big prices so just doubles and four fold I think.

My lucky 15 for today

2:00 - Grand cruds
2:30 Grandouet
4:15 Leo's lucky star
4:50 Medermit

Reckon Grandouet could be a back and lay inrunning bet for a decent profit, the way it going at Cheltenham with Barry sat still then found not alot could do same today.