Keeping the National grand

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ave got a great tip for Wolverhampton tonight……

What’s that I hear you cry ?????

We want the National….
We want the National….
We want the National….
We want the National….

OK, I hear you in the orchestra stalls. They used to say in the ‘cheap seats’ but have you been to the theatre recently ?

It’s a new look National these days – the new fences have made things safer, upset some traditionalists, but it’s still a formidable test for horse and rider and let’s hope, first and foremost, all come home safely.

Judged by the evidence so far this week the course changes on the National course have been a huge success. The race had to change, it had to move with the times as it was becoming unpalatable.

No one wants to see an unnecessary amount of fallers – especially punters. There’s no fun in watching the remaining 6 minutes and 27 seconds of a Grand National with your horse on the deck. Trust me, I’ve been there several times in recent years.

And for all the changes and the form experts telling us it’s now ‘just another handicap’ they had egg splattered on their faces when up popped 66/1 chance Auroras Encore in the old race. Grand National 1 Form Students 0.

What is important to everyone in the racing industry is that the race itself still MATTERS to the public. It’s an iconic sporting event and long may it continue. It’s a new era for the race, covered now by Channel 4 and with new sponsors this year, Crabbies, and their alcoholic ginger beer. On which subject did you know that the phrase “lashings of ginger beer” was NEVER phrased by Enid Blyton as many thought in her Famous Five books. How’s that for a random fact ?

Sometimes you think you could do worse than stick a quid on all of them, indeed with the 66/1 shot last year and 100/1 Mon Mome in recent years you could do a LOT worse !!

As for this year. Long Run. All the experts will bore you afterwards about it being a blot on the handicap, Gold Cup winner in a handicap etc etc.

And if it all goes wrong – then Almargo in the 7.50 at Wolverhampton tonight. Favourites never lose at Wolverhampton – that’s another random fact.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-10 points)

5 points win LONG RUN (GRAND NATIONAL)
8 points win ALMARGO (7.50 Wolverhampton)

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RUNNING RETURN (APRIL): PROFIT 39.50 POINTS

RUNNING RETURN (YEAR): LOSS 50.78 POINTS

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What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321