Lion in National

   Vieux Lion Rouge Schooling in the Week

Today we have five meetings, three jumps cards at Aintree, Chepstow and Newcastle plus flat cards at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  The big one is of course is Aintree with the big race itself due off at 5.15pm.  David has two runners at Aintree and two runners at Chepstow.  Mr Big Shot runs in the 1.45pm handicap hurdle over 3 miles.  He last ran at the Festival in the Martin Pipe race and that was his first run of the season so it should have put him spot on for this.  He ran well for such a long way that day before getting tired from the last and we have always thought he wanted three miles and it is his first run over this distance today.  Tom Scu rides.  He is fully unexposed having only had four runs in his life and he would have a small each way chance.  Now the big race is of course the Grand National.  Vieux Lion Rouge runs in the 40 runner field over 4m2f.  I think out nine year old is nicely weighted on 10st 12lb.  He was seventh in the race two years ago and sixth last year and he has each way claims again.  He seems to love Aintree and fingers crossed he can have a bit of luck and be involved in the finish once again.

David and I are staying with the owners of Blaklion and Gino is worried that his horse has too much weight.  He is a classy horse that ran well in the race last year and deserves to be one of the favourites.  If you are going to the National today then make sure you allow plenty of time as this is the biggest sporting event in the World.  It will be absolutely packed and with the race again going off later in the day I am sure there will be a few people worse for wear by the start of the Grand National.  It was ladies day yesterday at Aintree and there were some beautiful ladies.  The outfits seem to be getting smaller and smaller or am I just getting older!

Anyway, on to our fun Grand National quiz and the answers from yesterday...

* In 1956, which horse fell without apparent reason, with victory seemingly assured, yards from the line?  Devon Loch

* Who played the lead role in the 1983 film Champions portraying Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion?  John Hurt

* Which holiday tycoon owned the 1971 National winner Specify? Fred Pontin

 Today's questions...

* Which father and son team trained and rode the National winner in 2000?

* Which past winner is fence number 7 named after?

* Which two National winners had the shortest names?

The big football match is Tottenham versus Man City.  City are on a downer at the moment and Spurs are 17/10 and okaying very well at the moment.  I am dropping down a few leagues and backing Wigan at 8/11 and Accrington.  

Ian Poulter has suddenly hit great form in the golf.  He shot a 7 under par 64 and is only a shot behind leader Bryson Dechammean in the RBC Heritage Classic in South Carolina.  Poulter looks a cert for my Ryder Cup team.

A friend of mine has a trophy wife but apparently it's not first place!  Have a great day and enjoy the big race everyone.