Its quieter now but nearly the end of the season

Well only three / four weeks to go in the jumps season - Aintree then Perth and that is that for a few months for The Adman. looking forward to a bit of warmth in the air and a new found fitness regime !

Aintree:
The Grand National meeting starts on Thursday and there are quite a few strong fancies running on from Cheltenham.

DAY ONE
First things first Hebridean is Paul Nicholls banker for the meeting but I cant see him beating WALK ON, what a very topical winner me thinks.

The big stayers race on day 1 sees Big Bucks looking to follow up his Cheltenham win, not sure as a short price horse that Aintree will suit as much as Cheltenham so each way on Nineteith Minute might be my bet. Kalahari King must follow up his great run at Cheltenham on his favoured ground and I cant wait to see Blue Bajan run over 2m 4f on quick ground.

DAY TWO
Michael Flips will suit the course and with AP on top must run a big race in the opener, with Mark Grant on top he is a big leave ! By the way I pray that Bible Lord doesnt get in to the Grand National, with Mark Grant on top the word danger comes to mind ! The best bet on the card is TIDAL BAY , with his really good run at Cheltenham behind him, better ground and a race that Howard has won on numerous occasions he will be value against the disappointing Vor Por Ustedes. I also expect Calgary Bay to run better over a trip that will suit better than Cheltenham. I like Bishops Bridge in the first race over the national fences, and also like Nineteith Minute if he runs in the listed handicap hurdle.

DAY THREE
Cape Tribulation will carry my money in the opener of the third day, back to his best trip and hoepfully Phil Kinsella will let him stride on, the best bet of the final day though is FIVE FORTHREE a fresh horse that is just simply topclass a wee saver on JERED in the same race will be included. The national bet is on Butlers Cabin with a saver on Hear the Echo and the concluding bumper will see a few quid on Cranky Corner for Mr Hemmings.

Over

I cant believe its over , and just in front - probably down to the away winners rather than the Cheltenham ones !!!

The favs under 4/1 had a few winners which didnt help 5 from 18
Cousin Vinny 9/4 (unp)
Binocular 6/4
Lami 7/4
QUEVEGA 2/1
MIKAEL D ARGENT 5/2
COOLDINE 9/4
MASTER MINDED 4/11
Alexander Severus 11/4
Rite of Passage 5/2
Vor Por Ustedes 10/11
Kasbah Bliss 5/4 (unp)
Poker di Siviola 7/2 (unp)
Daves Dream 7/2 (unp)
Pride of Dulcote
KAUTO STAR 7/4
Juveigner 7/2 (unp)
Big Eared Fran 7/2
Poquelin 3/1 (unp)

The Ruby show came into town, with Nicholls hitting top form from day 3 - Mullins had a ball and no winners again for Hobbs, Pipe, Powell, Murphy. Top jocks dominated most of the races with very few shocks Walsh had 6, Geraghty 3, Mccoy 1.

Northern horses came and didnt conquer.

End of day two

Well I am in front, just !!!
day 1 ended up level thanks to Sue Smith at Sedgefield again, and again !!!
Didnt back Punjabi at all which erks then missed Tricky Twister for Twister !!! at the start of day two ! Then out of the clouds came Ninetieth Minute - come to daddy 18/1 thank you for a good scoop !!!

Dunguib was just awesome awesome awesome....................

Day three looks tricky tricky tricky................
Irish Raptor was horse two from Twiston, I love Three Mirrors, The Siliotar, Openide and the nap Kasbah Bliss

Cheltenham Day One Tuesday

With over 110 runners the need for study is paramount, winds is freshening and rain is gathering. Is life not just brilliant!

Kempes is the best bet in the first race, quality ex flat horse who likes cut travels well and jumps well he is my main fancy. Michael Flips has the dreadful Mr Grant on board he is a quality horse but jockey puts me off. The negative vibes around Cousin Vinny , the over rated form of Torphican and the links to Dee EE Williams formlines gives Shoreacres a good chance of running in the first six.

The Arkle is full of runners with no real standout, I think the best of the Irish is Golden Silver with Kalahri King the best of the English.

The classy Star De Mohaison is the bet in race three, ground dependant - soft would put me off.

Quivega and Binocular will be strong fancies for many with plenty of rain old Brave Inca will be near the frame in the champion with Punjabi going closs to the three as well.

Early Cheltenham Fancies

Day 1:
Michael Flips looks exciting in the first race and at 14/1 looks like a strong each way fancy - the bet will depend on the jockey booking for me - AP Mccoy will be a huge positive. I like Calagary Bay in the second and Osana and Punjabi (e/w) in the Champion hurdle with Star De Mohaison well worth a look if he runs in the William Hill chase.

Day 2:
Pyscho will ge the chance to win me back the money he lost for me last year in the Coral Cup 12/1 is a big price at the moment, I also like Bensalem and Casey Jones in the first. I really like Briarius e/w in the champion chase at 25/1 with 9/1 being a massive price in the Queen Mother without the favourite. Of course highlighted here the 14s on Gone To Lunch is long gone and with A P on top he will run a good race. I love Mr Thriller and whichever race he runs in he will carry my money.

Day 3:
Kasbah Bliss will be the best bet of the day on Thursday - 5/4 is in theory a huge price given his record and ability and I really like Yes Sir and Three Mirrors in the Racing Post Plate as long as the ground is good.

By now after day 3 I am sure of my fate on the meeting so Day 4 will see either go to jail or get out of jail bets !!!

Day 4:
I love Master of the Arts in the Triumph, Numide in the County Hurdle (needs soft or cut at worst) and my second best bet of the week Cape Tribulation (with cut in the ground) so let see what happens in 8 days time.

Kasbah Bliss
Cape Tribulation
Gone to Lunch
Master of the Arts
Mr Thriller

Good luck