The 2026 bet365 Gold Cup

Fourteen have been declared for tomorrow's bet365 Gold Cup (3.30 Sandown), with four - Ask Brewster, Montregard, Our Power and Road To Home - re-routed here having being withdrawn from last Saturday's Scottish Grand National at Ayr on account of the heavy ground. Gabby's Cross took his chance in that race seven days ago but didn't jump well and was eventually pulled up.  

The going at the Esher track is described as good, good to firm in places, with jockeys at today's Flat meeting reporting plenty of watering has taken place. 

Five weeks ago Havaila beat Some Scope seven lengths in a handicap chase at Newbury off a mark of 116. To quote from Richard Russell's analysis of the race in the RP Weekender:

"HAVAILA went through this like a dream, comfortably called the winner a long way out, with a monster leap at the last not needed but still impressive."

16 days later Gary and Josh Moore's charge, racing off 125, won the Sussex National at Plumpton 'readily' over an extended three and a half miles (Transmission nine lengths back in third). The chestnut has been described as a similar type to former stablemate and Welsh Grand National winner Nassalam (now with Tom Ellis); after that win jockey Caoilin Quinn said:

"Havaila travels very strongly and jumps superbly. He seems to love this better ground and he's still on the up."

Havaila - now rated 135 over fences, 71 on the Flat - still holds an entry in next month's Chester Cup for which he is quoted a 66/1 chance with Paddy Power...

This afternoon In D'Or and Montregard are challenging Havaila for favouritism. 

Favourites do not have a good record in this race; since Mr Frisk in 1990, only one outright market leader has obliged - Kitty's Light in 2023.

Bought out of the David Maxwell dispersal sale for £220,000, In D'Or has run twice for current connections, finishing third to Welcom To Cartries at this track in December and then third behind The Jukebox Kid at Ascot in January (Montregard second, last week's Scottish Grand National winner Kap Vert fourth).

In D'Or won the 2025 renewal of that Ascot race off 125; although weighted to reverse recent form with Montregard, his current mark of 137 looks high enough to me, while his run when sixth behind Haiti Couleurs in the 2025 National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham (Rock My Way second, Resplendent Grey fourth, Transmission fifth) hints that this trip may test the limits of his stamina.

On two other trips to Ascot this season Montregard has come home in front on both occasions, last time off a mark of 128 (Invincible Nao beaten over 30 lengths in sixth). He is now 16 pounds higher than in the autumn and tries this trip for the first time; trainer Tom Lacey thinks he will stay.

Just over six weeks ago Ask Brewster held Road To Home a neck on good ground in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham run over an extended three and a quarter miles; after five starts Willie Mullins' charge remains a maiden over fences but on revised terms here is weighted to come home ahead of Ask Brewster.

Resplendent Grey won last year's renewal of this race carrying 10-02 off a mark of 142 - one pound out of the handicap; Olly Murphy's charge tries to repeat the feat this year carrying top weight off a mark ten pounds higher and conceding a minimum of eight pounds to all his rivals. 

The grey didn't jump well behind Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and connections replace the blinkers tried in the Ultima with cheekpieces. He is the best horse in a substandard renewal.

Sporting a first time visor Transmission beat Rock My Way 12 lengths in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh at the beginning of February but next time was outpaced by Havaila coming to the last in the Sussex National. 

A horse aged either seven or eight has won nine of the past ten renewals.

Back in November Rock My Way won the Berkshire National at Ascot off 131 and last time gave Isaac Des Obeaux six pounds and a right run for his money in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, eventually conceding defeat on the run-in, beaten eight lengths.

Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell should have a reasonable idea where they stand with Rock My Way in relation to Livin On Luco as Rivers Corner pipped that one a short head at Exeter five weeks ago. Team Tizzard are going through a quiet spell although Striking A Pose made all to win at Newton Abbot last week and West Orchard has won the V2 Radio Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell this evening.

Livin On Luco won the Southern National at Fontwell in November and finished a respectable fourth behind Haiti Couleurs in the Welsh National but was well beaten behind Anglers Crag in the Eider; the slightly shorter trip here should help.

Henry's Friend won at Ascot on seasonal reappearance but has been a bit disappointing since; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time, with handler Ben Pauling saying he has been trained for this race.

Our Power, 20 lengths behind Rock My Way in the Berkshire National, hasn't won for over three years and this season in particular has appeared out of sorts; potentially well handicapped if returning to some sort of form, he sports first-time blinkers.

Certainly Red has always had a soft spot for Sandown.

Lydia Richards' veteran finished seventh behind Kitty's Light in the 2023 running of this race and a close-up fourth behind Minella Cocooner the following year. After a protracted spell on the sidelines he came home a very third creditable third behind Calimystic at this track last month despite jumping left on occasions; now 12 years of age, younger rivals are likely to have a bit more toe.

Invincible Nao, stablemate of Havaila, runs from two pounds out of the handicap.

Livin On Luco and Rock My Way are on the shortlist; both looked to have hard enough races last time out. Philip Hobbs won this with Lacdoudal (rated 152) in 2006 and Monkerhostin (rated 153) in 2008 but, on balance, I prefer the form of Rock My Way and hope he can run his race after those exertions in the Midlands Grand National.

Rock My Way is the each-way suggestion, 14/1 generally, with most layers paying four places.

Footnote:

Two I'll monitor in the Novices' Championship Final (1.45 Sandown) are Race To Base and Desertmore News.

The former beat Captain Hugo in a Hereford bumper this time last year and finished fifth in a Uttoxeter maiden on seasonal debut. The winner, De Temps En Temps, is now rated 126, second Tiptoptim finished third in the Challow behind No Drama This End, and fourth Marsiac is on 127. After he won next time (again at Hereford) jockey Sam Twiston-Davies said: "He's very quick, one of the pacier ones at home, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him stay at the minimum trip." Pulled up on his first run for new connections over 2m 4f on soft ground, he has undergone wind surgery since.

After the latter won a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last month, handler Tom Ellis said: "We probably pitched Desertmore News in a bit too deep at Kempton [the Dovecote] but I do hope he's going to get to that level at some point. It might well be when he has fences in front of him, but the final of the series will be the aim for now. He's a big, scopey type who likes nice ground and is very straightforward - it's exciting."

The 2026 Scottish Grand National

David Smith, economics editor of The Sunday Times, wrote in Wednesday's edition of The Times:

"One of the jibes made against economists - and there are many - is that they see something working in theory and then wonder if it will work in practice." 

I'm no economist but that sentiment struck a bit of a chord...

21 have been declared for this year's Scottish Grand National (3.35 Ayr), the second smallest field in the past ten years; 18 contested the 2023 renewal won by Kitty's Light.

The going at the track today was changed to soft, heavy in places, before the final race at 5.15; showers are predicted before racing tomorrow.  

Top weight this year is rated 145.

The fact the past nine winners have all been rated 135 or above with only two carrying more than 11-00 - Mighty Thunder (144) 11-02, 2021 and Win My Wings (140) 11-08, 2022 - highlights this renewal is some way below the usual standard.

With the exception of Kap Vert, younger horses find themselves towards the head of the market. 

Just over five weeks ago Ask Brewster held Road To Home a neck in the Kim Muir on good ground at Cheltenham with Kim Roque eight lengths adrift in fourth and Herakles Westwood fading badly from three out to finish well beaten in mid division.

On revised terms Road To Home would be expected to reverse placings, especially as, to date, Ask Brewster has shown his best form on decent ground; Kim Roque and Road To Home look closely matched, although Kim Roque appeared to be closing on the leaders at the finish.

King Of Answers seemed to take a step forward in first-time cheekpieces at Kelso in February (Maximillian third) and, raised ten pounds, lost nothing in defeat to Holloway Queen over three and three quarters miles in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Festival (eighth Holokea won at Haydock on Wednesday); the handicapper has raised him a further three pounds for that effort.

Paul Nicholls saddles two - Quebecois and Isaac Des Obeaux; the trainer has won the race three times previously with Belmont King (1997) and Vicente twice (2016 and 2017). 

Quebecois is still a maiden over fences. 

He finished third behind Johnnywho and Jagwar in the Ultima (the first named fourth in the Grand National last week, the latter unseating Mark Walsh following a bad mistake in the same race) with Blaze The Way seventh and the grey Stolen Silver beaten over 45 lengths in fourteenth. 

On his blog the handler concedes his charge 'is probably on a tough mark now' and continues:

"On good ground I have no doubt he [Quebecois] would get the trip but on this ground I don't know.

"He is a half brother to an Albert Bartlett winner and he did get the trip at Cheltenham the other day."  

On his penultimate start Isaac Des Obeaux was beaten 21 lengths by Rivers Corner in the Somerset National at Wincanton. 

I had the beast down as a doubtful stayer after that effort but next time out, over a mile further and under an inspired Sam Twiston-Davies ride, the gelding stayed on stoutly to beat Rock My Way eight lengths in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, with Git Maker third and Collectors Item pulled up. 

He looked to have a hard race that day and has been raised seven pounds to a career high mark of 139.

Blinkers appear to have helped Git Maker.

His stamina gave out over four and a quarter miles at Uttoxeter but Jamie Snowden's charge was third in this race on soft ground in 2024 off 133; two years on he tries again off 129.

Montregard has spent the season racing right-handed, winning twice at Ascot and finishing second behind The Jukebox Kid (Kap Vert fourth) at the same track on his penultimate start. 

16 pounds higher than in the autumn, he comes here with a progressive profile and will be fresher than most. He tries a trip beyond three miles for the first time but his trainer thinks he'll stay.

Chasingouttheblues has won three of his seven chase starts to date and caught the eye four weeks ago when staying on to reel in Fierce Warrior after the last over an extended three miles at Carlisle. After the race Tim Walford, father of trainer Mark, said:

"Chasingouttheblues loves a horse to aim at. He wants far further and he's a Nationals horse. We might have a crack at the Scottish National if there's a bit of give, he wouldn't run on quick ground. He's improving. This track suited him better than last time [beat Paddy O'Mahler half a length at Catterick], when he wasn't quite right."

Promontory didn't run until he was eight but won the Dublin National Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over an extended three and a half miles at the beginning of March. He was raised nine pounds for the win and races here off a mark five pounds higher than that Irish rating; the gelding has been the subject of some market support during the day.

Kap Vert finished under eight lengths behind Montregard in the race won by The Jukebox Kid at Ascot in January before winning a Class 3 handicap chase on good ground at Taunton at the beginning of last month. Only six years of age, he hails from a yard who don't make a habit of overfacing their charges.

Herakles Westwood, my each-way selection for the Kim Muir, faded from three out for no obvious reason - another instance when a theory of mine didn't work out in practice. 

He finished behind Blaze The Way at Cheltenham in December before beating Katate Dori on New Year's Day; any benefit derived from the wind surgery undergone in February was difficult to discern at the Festival.

Sam Thomas saddles two - Katate Dori and Our Power.

Our Power, third in this last year with Famous Bridge and Magna Sam both pulled up, has been out of sorts this season; connections fit first-time blinkers but Dylan Johnson rides Katate Dori whose sixth behind Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury reads well enough. 

Collectors Item beat Katate Dori off a mark of 132 in the 2025 Somerset National at Wincanton but Jonjo O'Neill's charge is another who has too often failed to transfer my working theories into practice.  

Gabbys Cross has the assistance of Sean Bowen in the saddle but has been contesting veterans chases since joining Nick Schofield. 

Since 2000 there have been three winners older than ten: Hello Bud (2009); Merigo (2012); and Wayward Prince (2015).

Certainly not the highest quality renewal but very competitive nonetheless. 

Novices boast a good record in the race and both Promontory and Kap Vert look unexposed but Git Maker, third last year, arrives in form and should appreciate the soft ground. 

Git Maker is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 16/1 with bet365, Ladbrokes and Coral, all paying five places.

That's the theory. Will it work in practice?

Aintree Grand National 2026

The Grand National (4.00) is a different race these days.

This represents the third renewal with a reduced field of 34 runners. Nine of the past ten winners have been aged either eight or nine, with the exception Noble Yeats who won the 2022 renewal when seven.

22 of the 34 runners are trained in Ireland, with Willie Mullins saddling eight, Gordon Elliott five and Henry De Bromhead three.

Owner J.P. McManus relies on six in an attempt to secure his fourth win in the race: I Am Maximus (W.P. Mullins); Jagwar and Iroko (Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero); Johnnywho (Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill); Oscars Brother (Connor King); and Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell). 

Last year Willie Mullins was responsible for four of the first five home, his son Patrick guiding Nick Rockett to a two and a half length victory over 2024 winner I Am Maximus, with Grangeclare West a further half length adrift in third. 

Nick Rockett misses this year's race having had just one start since last April; Mr P.W. Mullins rides Grangeclare West. 

Current favourite I Am Maximus won off a rating of 159 in 2024 and was second off 167 last year; he goes off 168 tomorrow. Grangeclare West (166) is rated three pounds higher than last year.

The British challenge is headed by Panic Attack trained by champion trainer elect Dan Skelton. 

The mare won the Paddy Power Gold Cup over a trip of two and a half miles in November and two weeks later won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury over an extended three and a quarter miles - the first horse to pull off that double since Celestial Gold, trained by Martin Pipe, in 2004. 

The following day the handler nominated this race as the mare's main target; the last mare to come home in front was Nickel Coin in 1951.

Johnnywho had Jagwar (second), Imperial Saint (eighth), and Iroko (tenth) behind in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month. He's six pounds 'well in' here and has experience over these fences when fifth behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton last November. Wind surgery in January appears to have brought about improvement. 

Both Jagwar and Iroko are trained in Cheshire by Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Jagwar hasn't managed to get his head in front since winning over an extended two and a half miles at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Plenty think this test will suit but his tendency to make niggling jumping errors is a concern; connections will hope first-time cheekpieces can help.

Iroko was fourth in last year's renewal - and the only British trained runner to finish in the first nine; he scoped scoped dirty after that run in the Ultima and goes off a mark five pounds higher than last year.

Captain Cody looked good winning last year's Scottish Grand National off 140 but he finished behind Grangeclare West, Gerri Colombe and Stellar Story on heavy ground in the Bobbyjo seven weeks ago. Spring ground will suit but he's on a mark 12 pounds higher than when winning at Ayr.

Haiti Couleurs has a Welsh National and an Irish National to his name but he was pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November and in last month's Gold Cup won by Gaelic Warrior.

On jockey bookings Monty's Star looks the pick of Henry De Bromead's trio. 

Fourth behind Fact To File in the 2024 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, he finished fourth behind Inothewayurthinkin in the 2025 Gold Cup. Having contested Graded events, he was well behind Panic Attack on handicap debut at Newbury in November and this represents his second start in handicap company.

Doorstepped by Matt Chapman on ITV, handler Gordon Elliott nominated Gerri Colombe as the pick of his five entries.

A quick word too for the Glenfarclas Cross Country form from Cheltenham - Tiger Roll won the Cheltenham race before going on to win the National in 2018 and 2019 while Delta Work won at Cheltenham in 2023 and finished second behind I Am Maximus in the 2024 National.

Last month Final Orders beat Favori De Champdou - pair clear - in a time 8.61 seconds below standard; the drying ground that day was officially described as good to soft. 

Gavin Cromwell's charge attacked those fences with a zest and relish I haven't seen for quite some time. Not the biggest, he clearly appreciated better ground. After that win the trainer said:

"He ran really well on Trials Day [fifth behind Favori De Champdou on soft ground over the Cheltenham Cross Country course] but his wind wasn't so good on soft ground and we actually gave him a little wind surgery after that and it really worked for him."

Conceding 13 pounds and beaten just over two lengths, Favori De Champdou meets Final Orders three pounds better off here but at the line I thought the winner looked to have a bit more in the locker; the pair appear closely matched. 

Provided the rain keeps away, I'd like to think Final Orders can run well; jockey Conor Stone-Walsh rode Will The Wise to win the Topham earlier this afternoon.

For those who like to make their own selections, the BBC's Grand National Pinstickers' Guide may be of some use.

In summary...

Last year's renewal highlights the chances of I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West and Iroko.

Panic Attack races beyond three and a quarter miles for the first time.

Of those towards the head of the market Johnnywho makes plenty of appeal, but I'm going chance Final Orders.

Final Orders is the each-way suggestion, currently 25/1 with a number of layers; Sky offer 22/1 and pay seven places. 

Aintree 2026 - Friday

On Ladies' Day, a tip for the Topham (4.05) run over two miles five - and the National fences.

At the time of writing 29 are set to face the starter at 4.05; Pour Les Filles, Jipcot, The King Of Prs, Primoz, Indiana Jones and Excello all race from out of the handicap. 

The going remains good to soft on both the Mildmay and National courses.

Favourite Madara won the Racing Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham 31 days ago in the manner of a horse some way ahead of his handicap mark; Will The Wise, seven and a half lengths away in second, may have finished slightly closer had he not jumped markedly right at the first, hampering a number of rivals in the process. 

In behind were O'Moore Park (sixth), Boombawn (ninth), Peaky Boy (twelfth), Jipcot (thirteenth), and Booster Bob (fell at the last when a placed finish appeared a distinct possibility, after being carried right around the home turn).

The handicapper has reacted by raising Dan Skelton's charge ten pounds to a mark of 150; the last market leader to oblige was joint favourite Gwanako in 2008.

If I've read the formbook correctly, Keith Donoghue put up two pounds overweight on Will The Wise at Cheltenham; with the revised ratings and three pound claimer Conor Stone-Walsh now in the saddle, Gavin Cromwell's charge looks to have his chance of reversing placings.

In the past ten years Willie Mullins has trained the winner on three occasions: Cadmium (2019); Livelovelaugh (2021) and last year Gentleman De Mee; this year he saddles Ile Atlantique - the choice of Paul Townend - Gentleman De Mee and O'Moore Park.

At Tramore on New Year's Day Il Atlantique finished some way behind Heart Wood in second but some way ahead of Croke Park in third and Gentleman De Mee in sixth. Next time at the Dublin Racing Festival he made a mistake two out and weakened off the home turn when eighth behind Backmeorsackme, with O'Moore Park twelfth and Croke Park thirteenth.  

Gentleman De Mee won off a mark of 155 last year (Lisnamult Lad second, The King Of Prs eighth, Soul Icon ninth, Excello fourteenth, and Eldorado Allen seventeenth) while 2023 winner Bill Baxter tries again and looked to have benefitted from wind surgery when second to King Of Answers at Kelso eight weeks ago.

Boombawn, fourth off 153 in the Old Roan behind Hitman in the autumn, was sent off an 80/1 shot for the Racing Plate; he runs off 146 here and won a handicap hurdle race at this track in 2023.

Back in November I tipped Coming Up Easy for the Paddy Power Gold Cup won by Panic Attack.

Henry De Bromhead's charge raced prominently but made an absolute howler three out and was pulled up; he hasn't seen a racecourse since. In a rushed interview just before the off at Cheltenham the trainer seemed to indicate soft ground wouldn't be ideal so I imagine connections won't want to see much more rain.

Top weight Il Est Francais will forever be remembered for the way he destroyed his field from the front in the 2023 Kauto Star at Kempton. He nearly repeated the trick in the 2024 King George but made a mistake at the last and was collared by Banbridge on the run-in. 

This season he has been pulled up twice, behind Jango Baie at Ascot and The Jukebox Man (et al) back at Kempton. Wind surgery since may have helped but, to date, he has shown his best form in this country on a right-handed track.

Confirmed front runner Mahons Glory showed his liking for these fences when finishing fourth behind Colonel Harry in the 2025 Great Sefton and then, four weeks later, fifth behind Twig in the Becher; he goes off a career high mark of 139.

The one I like and will chance is Prairie Wolf who has shown improvement this season particularly in his last two runs - I'm hoping there's more to come - and who now goes off a career high mark of 141; his ninth at Cheltenham on Trials Day is forgiven as the yard was out of sorts around that time.

His third behind Booster Bob over an extended trip in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial at Newbury in November suggests the pair are closely matched. 

Connections have opted to come here rather than go to Ayr next weekend and he has been supported in the market this evening; in a recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.01-01.02.26] Joel Parkinson said, 'Two miles on good to soft ground is perfect for him.' 

Prairie Wolf is the each-way suggestion, 12/1 at the time of writing with bet365, Betfred and Coral all paying six places.

Aintree 2026 - Thursday

A quick post with a suggestion for the Foxhunters' Chase on the first day of the Grand National meeting.

The going on both the Mildmay and National courses is described as good to soft.

The opening juvenile hurdle (1.45) sees five from last month's Triumph Hurdle renew rivalry: Maestro Conti (second at Cheltenham); Minella Study (third); Selma De Vary (fourth); Wolf Rayet (eighth); and Indian River (tenth). 

The first three named look closely matched; Aintree may suit Minella Study more than Maestro Conti.

25 have been declared for the Foxhunters' Chase (3.30) run over two miles five furlongs and the National fences.  

Four weeks ago in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup - run 40 minutes after the Gold Cup over the Gold Cup trip - Barton Snow held Its On The Line a neck, with Music Drive third, Golden Sun fourth, Take All eighth and Gracchus De Balme, stablemate of the winner, pulled up.

Favourite Barton Snow remains unbeaten in five chase starts under rules. 

He came to the last with the proverbial  'double handful' at Cheltenham last time and, despite a mistake, held Its On The Line and Mr Derek O'Connor a neck - although he wasn't doing an awful lot in front. 

Its On The Line won the 2024 renewal of this race run on heavy ground; connections will be keen to reverse the latest Cheltenham form.

On official ratings Unexpected Party is the best horse in the field, rated 147, two pounds clear of Barton Snow (145) and seven clear of Its On The Line (140). 

Dan Skelton's grey was last seen in February, winning the Walrus Open Hunters' Chase at Haydock, easily accounting for Take All. 

The first three from last year's Walrus - My Drogo, Gracchus De Balme and Jet Plane, finished fourth, first and second respectively in this race last year; rated 142, My Drogo was the best horse to contest that renewal. 

Winner Gracchus De Balme went on to claim the 65th running for the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford at the end of last May and wasn't seen out again until the middle of January. He ran well to a point at Cheltenham last time; despite his stablemate heading the market, I'm hoping last year's winner can build on his latest effort.

Gracchus De Balme is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 20/1 with both bet365 and Coral who are paying five places.

I note that connections of Gaboriot - third over these fences in the 2024 Grand Sefton and second in the 2025 renewal - have opted to try a first-time visor; stable form remains the concern, with just one winner from 24 runners in the past fortnight.

Twenty years of PG's Tips

When I published the first blog post on Monday 3rd April 2006, nobody told me it was going to end up like this.

Ten Years of PG's Tips covered the first decade; a short summary of what has happened since follows. 

Back in 2016 I described this undertaking as 'an exercise in self-indulgence with the odd wry laugh here and there helping to ease the pain of egregious performance'. 

Not a lot has changed. 

I'm retired now but, for the avoidance of any doubt, betting on slow horses helped to elongate the working life rather than shorten it. 

Sweet dreams have been few and far between.

Too many selections have been associated with comments-in-running such as: lost many lengths at the start; never travelling; never went a yard; never on terms; hung left / right (like a drunk); outpaced; hampered; headed; no extra; weakened (quickly - vet had nothing to report); in rear / mid div, no impression; (always) behind; struggling; detached (like a big house); beaten (after the first fence); cooked; pulled up; brought down; mistake / bad mistake; didn't jump with fluency; slow jump; fell (in a heap); no chance (when); unseated; slipped up; also ran; ran like a drain; made a (respiratory) noise; bled (from the nose); lost position; and lost x place(s) on the run-in (where x represents an integer between 1 and the number of finishers -1).

I'm struggling to recall a selection associated with descriptors such as easily, comfortably, impressive.

ITV took charge of terrestrial free-to-air racing coverage on 1st January 2017 and the 2018/19 season provided proof that, if you throw enough darts, one day you'll hit the bullseye - the blog's selections showed a profit over the core season and a return on investment of 168% at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Some commentators might describe that performance as a 'hot streak' but my own preferred term remains 'outlier' - I spent large parts of the following summer prostrate on the cheap seats of the living room, desperately trying to fathom what the hell I'd done differently. I was reading 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' by D.H. Lawrence at the time but it offered little in the way of sustenance.

A gift horse at Christmas proved one of the more popular postings, as did these Christmas musings before Ascot's final card of 2025. 

Immediately after the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, racing in the UK was suspended on account of the coronavirus pandemic; that meeting became widely regarded as a significant 'superspreader event' with Sir David King, a former government adviser, describing it as 'the best possible way to accelerate the spread of the virus'. 

For years I attended the Festival on Champion Chase day - a visit to the gents could seem like an expedition into one of Dante's nine circles of Hell where you were obliged to negotiate a Faustian pact of sorts in order to secure a timeous return to the land of the living to do your dough in the bookmakers' benefit once called the Coral Cup.

4.8 million people watched the 2020 Virtual Grand National on television which raised more than £2.6 million for NHS Charities. Cornelius Lysaght declared Potters Corner (18/1) a 'surprise winner' while winning jockey Jack Tudor was not even qualified to ride in the race when the suspension was brought into effect.

Twelve months later Rachael Blackmore, riding Minella Times, became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, but there were no spectators at the track due to the pandemic restrictions in place at that time. In 2022 she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard; she has since retired from the saddle and has written a book called 'Granny National', aimed at children aged 8-10.

Constitution Hill beat Jonbon 22 lengths in the 2022 Supreme. Rated 170 over hurdles, the gelding is currently building a career for himself on the Flat and is now on a mark of 101 in that sphere; talk of a tilt at the Melbourne Cup has reportedly reached Jack Irish and Harry Strang. 

Tiger Roll won two consecutive Grand Nationals (2018, 2019), Galopin Des Champs two Gold Cups (2023, 2024) and on Boxing Day last year we were treated to 'a race for the ages' when The Jukebox Man pipped Banbridge and Gaelic Warrior a nose and a nose - Jango Baie half a length adrift in fourth - in the King George at Kempton.

These days the betting landscape is noticeably different. For old times' sake, one Saturday morning I decided to go retro and struck a wager in a William Hill shop; that chastening experience was described in An old man walks into a betting shop...

Enough of that sort of drivel. Try this sort instead - a word from a veteran for a veteran in the Middle Distance Veterans' Final at Haydock tomorrow (3.20); 17 are set to face the starter with the going described as good to soft, good in places. 

Numitor won the 2024 running, The Flier Begley the 2025, both when they were ten years of age. 

Genois had Outlaw Peter, Numitor and Neon Moon behind in a qualifier four weeks ago.

Filanderer had Minella Drama and The Flier Begley behind at Market Rasen in January before being pulled up in the Ultima. 

After a long layoff Guard Your Dreams beat Fugitif 13 lengths on heavy ground at Warwick in February (Le Milos third, and probably needs three miles now, Outlaw Peter fourth, and sports first-time cheekpieces, Lord Baddesley fifth) and was subsequently raised eight pounds. He looked unfortunate to be brought down by Will The Wise who jumped badly right at the first in the Racing Plate at the Festival.   

Courtland's second to Twig over three miles at Sandown in November reads well, given Twig pipped Mr Vango in the Becher four weeks later; handler Mickey Bowen recently said [RP Weekender 25-29.03.26]: 'I rode him up the gallop last week and he's as good as he's ever been.'

Preference is for Triple Trade who has been consistent this term, winning twice - once over two miles and once over two and half. The race was run in a time below standard when he finished third behind David's Well and JPR One at Cheltenham in December and he appeared to win a tactical affair with a turn of foot and something in hand at Sandown in January; he starts here off a mark two pounds higher.

Triple Trade is the each-way suggestion; earlier this afternoon he was 14/1 in a place but at the time of writing he's 9/1 with bet365 who are paying five places.   

Finally I'd like to put on record my thanks to regular contributor TW who has provided ratings for the races I've randomly selected these past ten years.  

That's it, twenty years, a score, odds against I've got another ten in me. I shall sign off with the rallying cry known to bettors across the land:

"Back to the drawing board, then!"