Aintree Grand National selections

Forty go to post at 4.15 tomorrow for the Grand National marathon run over a distance of four and a half miles. Those who like to make up their own minds may want to use my Twitter Guide to the Grand National runners as a starting point; for everyone else, after hours of deliberation, here's how I see them finishing...

1. Rambling Minster Jumps, stays, has a racing weight and is in the form of his life. Provided he can stay out of trouble, he should be on the premises at the business end of the race; Mrs Tips' selection.

2. Butler's Cabin Tony McCoy doesn't need me to tell him this horse offers him a serious chance of winning his first National at the fourteenth attempt. The horse was going ominously well when coming a cropper at Becher's (second time) last year, having had a scare at the same fence on the first circuit. Mr. McCoy will be doing his utmost to ensure there's no repeat performance this time.

3. Himalayan Trail Won the Midlands National for Sue Smith last year; this has been his target since that day. Has a nice racing weight and is now trained by Jimmy Mangan who won the National with Monty's Pass in 2003.

4. Comply Or Die Last year's winner is now rated fifteeen pounds higher than when he won -he has a big task on his hands here. Has been badly out of form for much of the season but showed much more interest when running a decent trial in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham three weeks ago. Many think the re-fitting of blinkers at Cheltenham helped; provided he's in the mood I think he can make a place.

For those who like a dabble at bigger prices, Knowhere strikes me as overpriced at 66/1; this horse was close enough last year when falling at Valentine's on the second circuit - stable jockey Paddy Brennan takes the ride. Cornish Sett is a bit of a character but if he consents to put his best foot forward he looks certain to stay the distance and is currently available at around 33/1.

I wish you all the very best of luck!

The John Smith's People's Race is scheduled to take place before racing proper begins. Ten amateur jockeys have been in training over the winter and will race over a distance of one mile one furlong (I think) in front of the National crowds. This year the Tote is offering prices on the contestants. A couple of pointers for those who may be tempted... Of the ten jockeys, Clare Balding picks out Craig Brown for his fitness - Craig rides Thunder Rock. A quick look through the official handicap ratings of the horses shows there doesn't seem a lot to choose between Summer Soul, Some Touch, Thunder Rock and Mith Hill; Thunder Rock appears the percentage call.

PS - Today this blog is three years old; would have liked to celebrate with a winner at Aintree but, as I'm sure regular readers will recognise, I'm just not up to the job...

Round-up

European horses took five of the nine races at Santa Anita on Saturday. As Raven's Pass crossed the line to take the Classic, my mind wandered back to an interview the trainer gave after his charge had beaten Henrythenavigator a length in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He told onlookers that they'd spent a lot of time teaching the horse how to relax; it's certainly paid dividends as John Gosden becomes the first British trainer to take the Classic's $5 million first prize.

Robert 'Choc' Thornton rode a good race aboard Squadron at Aintree yesterday. The Nicholls' yard fielded Pierrot Lunaire, an animal that was talked of as a potential Champion Hurdle horse. He may still be, but Thornton cranked up the pressure on the French horse as they raced down the far side and had the odds-on shot beaten at the last. The favouite took a crashing fall there and was severely winded - he was given plenty of time to come round and eventually walked away sound.

John Smith's are now looking for entries for The People's Race 2009. If you fancy your chances as as a budding jockey, further details and an application form are available from the website.

I missed Bill's Echo for a second time - at Stratford on Saturday; this time the beast won at 7/2.

Grand National selections

Forty will line up for tomorrow's Grand National at 4.15. In recent years the starter has encountered inexplicable problems when trying to send them on their way; let's hope the new man on the rostrum is up to the task. Two horses look well in at the weights - Cloudy Lane and Comply Or Die. Favourite Cloudy Lane is bypassed as he offers no value at all (as low as 9/2 with Ladbrokes) and I still need to be convinced he stays this marathon trip. Here are my selections...

1. Slim Pickings - third last year and may well have finished closer but for hitting the last; trained specifically for this. Best priced 12/1 with Ladbrokes.

2. Comply Or Die - has a nice racing weight and proved he stays over four miles by winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February. Generally a 10/1 shot.

3. Simon - going well when falling at Valentine's last year; has a touch of class and the weight to go with it. 12/1 with most bookmakers.

4. Bewleys Berry - likes Aintree and looked a player when falling at Becher's on the second circuit last time; 14/1.

Those looking for slighter bigger odds may want to consider an each-way wager on either Point Barrow (appears overpriced at 25/1 with Ladbrokes) - he was favourite for this last year but has been a little below his best this term, or Philson Run (28/1 with Corals) who would benefit from a drop of rain. Good luck!

I think the John Smith's People's Race is scheduled to be run at around 1.00pm (before the opener). I'm not sure if this will be televised live, but it will be worth watching should you get the chance. Well done to all the amateur jockeys - win or lose, tomorrow will be a day they'll all remember for the rest of their lives.

John Smith's People's Race 2008 update

This week has seen the build-up to Aintree's Grand National meeting, which culminates with the Grand National itself on April 5th, slowly gaining momentum. In the forthcoming days we can also expect to see more media coverage of the rookie riders taking part in this year's John Smith's People's Race which will be run on the same day over a distance of nine furlongs. The John Smith's website now lists the final ten contestants and Ladbrokes are cunnningly tempting you with prices about the individuals concerned. As at this stage we don't know the names of the horses the contestants will be riding, I'd be wary about having a bet. Readers may remember that last year's 5/4 favourite, Instructor, decided to dump his rider, a plumber from Manchester, at the start; Paul Nicholls' Hoo La Baloo, ridden by Kevin Old, a 44 year old pawnbroker from Bournemouth, took full advantage to collect the spoils. It looks as though Ladbrokes have decided to take no chances this time around, shortening Jane Belcher from 3/1 in to 5/2 favourite - Jane, a 44 year old careworker from Bristol, is set to ride a horse from the Nicholls yard...

Odds and sods

The news that Ruby Walsh has elected to ride Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup leaves the way clear for Sam Thomas to partner Denman in Saturday's Aon Chase at Newbury.

On a day when the weights for this year's Grand National have generated plenty of discussion, I thought I'd check the current state of play with this year's contestants for the John Smith's People's Race which will be run on the same day. Of the original thirty two hopefuls, fourteen have won a place 'in training'. You can only be impressed by the commitment and bravery of these rookie riders; those of you who think riding a racehorse is as easy as falling out of a taxi should take a look at the trouble jockey Richard Thomas had on the way to the start a couple of years ago.

Donald McCain seemed sweet on Ice Tea's chance at the Festival in a recent Weekender 'Straight From The Stable' article. Ice Tea will certainly be worth keeping in mind given that he finished behind the well-regarded Joe Lively earlier in the season and last year the stable won the Kim Muir.

The Racing Post tissue prices up Kim Bailey's The Good Guy at a tempting 12/1 in tomorrow's opener at Ludlow. The horse finished second to Hold Em in a bumper on his first run of the season and then failed to see out the two mile five trip on good to soft next time. The switch back to two miles here should suit but the softer conditions may not; I'll consider an each way wager in the morning.

John Smith's People's Race 2008

John Smith's have recently announced the names of thirty two rookie jockeys who hope to progress to ride in the 2008 People's Race at Aintree on Grand National Day, Saturday 5th April. Following the first selection stage to be held in mid January, a maximum of sixteen contestants will be required to undertake further training. This year's intake includes two teachers, a public house licensee, a scrap metal dealer, a marketing officer from the University of Leeds, a nail technician, a shepherd and a 56 year old police officer from Coventry. Let the fun begin...

John Smith's People's Race 2007/8

Earlier this year I wrote a few pieces on this blog about the John Smith's People's Race. Ten rookie riders, members of the general public, were given the chance to ride in a flat race over nine furlongs on Grand National day. The organisers, amazed by the number of entries they received in a very short time frame, have done a lot more preparatory work this year; the event looks as though it will move to another level, with the accompanying media coverage likely to be increased considerably. If you fancy your chances this time around, you can visit the John Smith's website or pick up an application form from your local Ladbrokes betting office. The closing date for applications is December 7th 2007.

John Smith's People's Race

The BBC's coverage of the Grand National meeting commences at 1.00 tomorrow afternoon.

The People's Race, in which ten amateur riders chosen from the public race over a distance of nine furlongs, is scheduled for around 1.10-1.15. This will be a race worth watching, although at this stage it's not clear if the race will be shown live.

Current 2/1 favourite with bookmaker Ladbrokes is Michael Sweeney, a 47 year old plumber from Manchester. He will be riding Instructor, a horse that has won six times at around this distance.

Well done to all the rookie riders who have trained hard over the past two and a half months; they will all surely have the thrill of a lifetime tomorrow, win or lose.

John Smith's People's Race

The Grand National apart, the Aintree race that has really caught the public's imagination this year is The John Smith's People's Race, a flat race which will be contested by ten amateur riders chosen from the general public just a couple of short months ago.

The race itself will be run on the day of the Grand National, with the winner donating prize money to the charity of their choice.

Follow the ups and downs of these rookie riders at http://www.johnsmiths.co.uk/promos/peoplesrace/index.htm

Daily Mirror reporter Ann Gripper has been following events closely on her blog at http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/thepeoplesrace/anngripper

Those cunning bookie chappies at Ladbrokes are offering prices on the riders but as we don't know which horses they'll be riding or the weight the horses will be carrying, at this stage a watching brief is advised.

Rookie riders start getting ready

The BBC reports that John Smith's were overwhelmed by more than 3500 entries to ride in an amateurs' charity race to be run over six furlongs at the Grand National meeting in April.

Thirty individuals have been selected to progress to the next stage including a housewife, a brickie and a fireman. Eventually ten riders will turn out for "The People's race" which will be the first race on the card on Saturday 14 April.

Further details at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/6312525.stm

This looks like a story which will generate a huge amount of interest.

John Smith's require rookie jockeys

John Smith's are on the lookout for 'no nonsense novices' to ride in an amateurs' charity horse race at the 2007 Grand National meeting in April.

Apparently full training will be given. Further details and an application form are available at http://www.johnsmiths.co.uk/promos/peoplesrace/index.htm

I've considered this one carefully; the thought of having to put up four and a half stone overweight means that on this occasion I will not be submitting an application.