Live Aintree racing blog!

Great to see the McCain team strike again over the big ones with Cloudy Lane on the day the memorial to the late Ginger was unveiled at the racecourse. For me? Its back to the drawing board in a Stockport hotel room. I need to be alone. Thanks for your help - as ever - and we'll be back brighty and breezy in the morning. Not that bright I hope. Giles Cross we need a sharp shower or three. Blankety blank, blankety blank, blankety blank. Blankety blank. To be fair I feared one the moment Hinterland fell but what a double from our last-race winner. Denis O'Regan was masterful in the saddle once again and a tremendous run from the runner-up too. Result:
1st 1 Cape Tribulation 14-1
2nd 22 American Spin 50-1
3rd 21 Trustan Times (IRE) 16-1
4th 18 Ringaroses 33-1 Henderson's day takes another turn of rthe worse - Spirit River is running loose. Thankfully for the master of Seven Barrows, Barry Geraghty is on his feet and seemingly none the worse for his spill. I've now accepted Veiled won't win the last and we'll start with a blank day. Well neither Ord nor Henderson are up with the pace Huge thank-you to Mal Boyle for the Placepot updates. His prediction is a divident of £392.15. Not such bad news for Dave Garlant - well in a way. He said: "Given that I fully expect Al Ferof to oblige in the 4.50, Kumbeshwar's fourth place in the last has likely cost me a rare placepot after the sterling efforts of Big Buck's, Grumeti, Hunt Ball & Cloudy Lane. Oh well, there's always Leicester tomorrow....."

I've a bet at Leicester tomorrow DG...but my lips are sealed until tomorrow. Apart from when tea is served. Apologies to Phil In Sunny Northampton who wrote before the last race: "I'm still in the placepot, on Pepite Rose in the last leg - got an Edgardo Pepite double running... to lay off or not to lay off that is the question... agggh!

"Also praying for rain for Giles Cross - on at fancy prices since Feb. Or is it going to be one of those weeks?"

I think we ahve our answer P... Well at least I'm wrong twice there. Pepite Rose doesn't jump well enough and is soundly beaten in fourth, one place behind Al Ferof. Menorah? Well it all came together in style here. Fine round of fencing - spectacular at the last - and a disappolinting first season over fences is rescued with a Grade One success. Cristal Bonus emerges with plenty of credit in second but he lacked the gears of the winner. Result:
1st 3 Menorah (IRE) 3-1
2nd 2 Cristal Bonus (FR) 7-1 No fish and chips tonight. Apparently there on the menu in the press room tomorrow. Can't be true, that would be the biggest winner of my career so far. My colours are nailed to the Pepite Rose mast here but the day the Nicholls team are having Al Ferof's going to win - isn't he? Mal Boyle has been a trooper this afternoon and reports of the Placepot: "12,504 knocked out in the fifth leg. Pool: £382,521. Units though to the last leg: 4,143 (I have 2 units via the Sporting Life perm). Minimum guaranteed dividend: £82.60."

Go on the life perm - although that could also refer to Nic Doggett. Remember Edgardo Sol's win here earlier in the year? It was the race in which Ruby Walsh picked up a ban under the then whip rules and the incident was the closest we came to a jockeys' strike over the matter. The riders didn't appear for the next race until they'd held a meeting in the weighing room. Astracad does indeed run a cracker but he's no match whatsoever for Edgardo Sol who bounds clear from the second last. The Nicholls team having a cracking Aintree thus far. Result:
1st 7 Edgardo Sol (FR) 9-2 F
2nd 6 Astracad (FR) 8-1
3rd 12 Echo Bob (IRE) 25-1 No sign of any rain. Drying out all the time at Aintree. Jon Lahive knew me before my TV career exploded. He writes: "Now you're a star of the small screen I'm surprised you have time for all this guff.Kid Cassidy in the next."

I'll never walk away from the blog JL - every chance I'll be pushed away from it though! Would be nice of Oiseau De Nuit could signal an upturn in the punting fortunes here. Still think Astracad is going to run a big one too. Graham Cunningham has just struck me across the back with a jockeys' whip he is carrying round today. I never flinched. He had good news though, all the fallen horses in the Fox Hunters have returned ok. Spare a thought if you will for Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams who told David Craig and the Sky Sports News viewers this morning that he'd buy everyone at Aintree over the three days a glass of champagne if Grumeti and Cloudy Lane won today. I don't want mine too chilled. A dramatic race over the big Aintree fences and another for the McCain clan. Cloudy Lane stalks the pace under Richard Harding and is always doing enough from the last to fend off long-time leader Roulez Cool. What a tune Sam Waley-Cohen got out of the runner-up though. Result:
1st 4 Cloudy Lane 4-1 JF
2nd 19 Roulez Cool 14-1
3rd 10 Herons Well 33-1 Here we go for the Fox Hunters. Usually a dramatic start...and again it's a falsie. Sad news and confirmation that Gottany O's fractured his front right leg during the four-year-old and was humanely put down. Alex Dunigan writes: "I have had people banging on about Fresh Air and Fun in the Fox Hunters'. Was 40's on Betfair but does seem to have been cut across the board."

I didn't do the race in any detail AD. I thought Boxer Georg looked a solid each-way shout. But then again I've backed Hinterland and Riverside Theatre so far today. Follow The Plan traded at 140 in-running on Betfair, which is something of a surprise, and Burton Port at evens. Not sure when that was either - he did look a potential threat for a stride or two after the second last. Winner's SP on the exchange was 97.5 - I think we can file the Betfred Bowl away as a boilover. Another timely Placepot update from Mal Boyle who says: "93,302 knocked out in the third leg. Pool: £382,521 Units though to the leg 4: 78,588 (20.5%)." Bar the winner Hunt Ball is the last horse off the bridle, what a race he ran - and what a story his is. Tony McCoy worked wonders to get Burton Port home in second and Medermit, beaten in a photo for third, made a couple of mistakes at crucial stages. The winner though, as a commentator can be heard to say, was much the best. Riverside Theatre is off the bridle after three fences and pulled up early on the second circuit, at the same time as Diamond Harry. I hope the latter can come back to form at some stage for Paul Duffy but he's had a very disappointing campaign. This is indeed a great game but at times you have to admit it beats you. Anyone capable of explaining that result to me? No semblence of a fluke though, winner travels like a dream, hits the front rull of running two out and is never in danger of defeat. Result:
1st 4 Follow The Plan (IRE) 50-1
2nd 1 Burton Port (IRE) 4-1
3rd 5 Hunt Ball (IRE) 6-1 Riverside Theatre looked great in the paddock but he took a keen enough hold to post. Be interesting to see what gets to the front here. Nacarat or Carruthers? I'm going to try and cut down the mentions of food on the blog following the revellation that a nutrionist will be in our offices next week. At least I can find out once and for all if onion gravy counts towards your five-a-day. I mentioned earlier, when giving Paul Nicholls an extra £21,200, that this is a big week for the trainers' title. First big guns fired by Nicky Henderson in our next race with Riverside Theatre, Burton Port and Master Of The Hall. Promises to be a cracker, I'm with RT but wherever he finishes, Medermit has to be almost alongsides. Going reports from the jockeys. Ruby Walsh feels it's "good", Noel Fehily: "It's good ground, maybe just on the slow side, but I wouldn't thinj there's any good to soft. Jason Maguire went with a one word "good" and Nick Scholfield: "On the soft side of good, beautiful." Our sponsors Sky Bet make Grumeti a 20-1 chance for next year's Champion Hurdle. I know it's 11 months away but strikes me as a very difficult race to hold a firm opinion on already. Interesting line from Paul Nicholls after the first, he feels his team are in much better form now than they were going into Cheltenham. Mind you he'd endured the preparation from hell for that meeting. Well done to Longj0n for spotting my earlier deliberate error! He writes: "Just a quick one. Crack Away Jack is trained by Tom George now so not as much of a headstart as first anticipated!!" Placepot update from Mal Boyle who says: "142,533 units knocked out in the second leg. Pool: £382,521. Units through to leg 3: 171,892 (44.9%)." In a race marred by a serious injury sustained by Gottany O's, Grumeti shows a tremendous attitude to reel-in Countrywide Flame, who had him off the bridle turning in, to score by a length. What a fight the runner-up put up though and they were fully 21 lengths clear of Sadler's Risk in third.

Hinterland fell and interefered with Dodging Bullets who wasn't going to get into the race from that point on. Result:
1st 6 Grumeti 11-4 F
2nd 2 Countrywide Flame 4-1
3rd Sadler's Risk (IRE) 9-2 Right Hinterland, it's you and me against the world. Nearly time for Dodging Bullets, Grumeti, Countrywide Flame, oh and Hinterland. But before then Andy Stewart says of Big Buck's: "Stewart said: "We take every race as it comes and we are totally flattered by the reception he has been given by everyone here. He hasn't had an off-day since unseating in the Hennessy a few years ago.

""Undoubtedly (this win means the most), this is absolutely marvellous. Each win is very precious, but obviously to do 17 and go into the record books is very precious to us.

""It's been very flattering. People have been coming up for my autograph - he's more newsworthy than I am, but it's a privilege. Next year he'll go for the same programme and the Cleeve Hurdle as well." Mal Boyle is one of the good guys. He's keeping us up to date with the Placepot pool today - surprisingly 17.8% went out in the first race. He reports: "Pool: £382,521 Units through to leg 2: 314,425 (82.2%)" It's amazing how the in-running markets have changed with BB over the years. Admittedly this was scare-free and never remotely threatened one of his flat spots but he was never bigger than his Betfair SP of 1.25 on the exchange. How long will the winning streak continue? Well Big Buck's is 5-4 with our sponsors Sky Bet to win a fifth Ladbrokes World Hurdle next year. Hill's clearly think Father Time may be a potential threat and go 7-4. They offer 5-2 he remains unbeaten over hurdles throughout his career. < Thoughts go out to David Simms who writes: "I'm in Adelaide South Australia. Got over last year but couldn't make this year. Gonna be a great weekend. Chicago Grey for the National. See you all next year."

Worse places to be stuck I'd imagine DS but this place is something else. It seems I'm flying solo with Hinterland in our next race. Jeremy Atkin says: "Hello Dave! I am also Dodging Bullets".

We all are in our way JA! And with consumate ease Big Buck's goes into the history books with a 17th consecutive victory. He's never remotely off the bridle in a dramatic race in which Smad Place and Restless Harry are fallers and Won In The Dark is brought down. Paul Nicholls saddles first, second, fourth and fifth, not a bad start to a big week in the defence of his trainers' title. Result
1st 2 Big Buck's (FR) 2-9 F
2nd 3 Crack Away Jack 33-1
3rd 1 Across The Bay (IRE) 50-1 Here we go ladies and gents. History awaits. Colleague Nic Doggett likes a golden session bitter or three. Only explanation for this advice! He says: "just thought i'd let you know that using my expert hunterchase knowledge, i've worked out that Launde wins the foxhunters at 150/1. You heard it here first."

And nowhere else I think... Decent judge despite the haircut that lad though. Glorious spring sunshine greets the runners for the opener. Big Buck's looks magnificent. 2-9 for the brave. I'm not one of them. Watch and cheer job methinks. The meeting is officially open. Welcome to the John Smith's Grand National Festival as I've labelled it. Cracking three days ahead. TC has the right idea. He writes: "After a great Cheltenham .. Time to help fund my retirement fund deficit with a few winners at Aintree today. 3 horses in e/w patent should set me up nicely. Restless Harry, Carruthers and Keenans Future. All 25/1 so here goes. See you in Barbados soon."

Will you cover my fare TC? I'd never get that through on expenses. Jonjo O'Neill just held a brief press conference in here. He thinks the first four or five fences will be the key to Synchronised in the John Smith's Grand National. His worry is that he horse may be taken off his feet and he needs to get into a good rhythm and relax early. He also hopes he takes to the fences as he'll use up too much energy clambering over them if he is too deliberate. Very bold decision to run the Gold Cup winner and one that should be applauded. Howdy to David R who says: "Greetings from Houston, Texas. We have nothing like Aintree over here. Come to think of it we have nothing like Catterick either. Wish I was with you guys but I will be watching. Question, Countrywide Flame was a good winner of the Triumph but will Aintree be to quick for him?"

I think the sharper track will play to the strengths of one or two of the others DR but then again Countrywide Flame was a decisive winner at Cheltenham and perhaps we're overcomplicating matters? Big Steveo sounds like my kind of guy. He says: "Master of the Hall surely over-priced in the Bowl, 16/1 for Nicky Henderson, bet of the day? What you think?"

He's certainly fresh and on the upgrade BS. Needs a career-best but seems perfectly capable of producing one. I'm sad to say today is not the day. Chris McGrath may be one of the very best racing journalists out there and one of the good guys but he was in front of me in the food queue and got the last cottage pie. I'm reduced to soup and a roll. No butter though. I couldn't find a knife, Giles Cross turn away now. The going has dried out to good to soft, good in places on both courses (the good patches are between fences 11 and 12 over the big ones). Showers are still possible but get less likely as the week progresses. Not a dark cloud in the sky right now. We should have had 8mms by now. John Kettley I scorn at your bespoke forecast (if indeed you did one). Not long to go now and wonderful way to start. Big Buck's is a truly remarkable racechorse and by 1410 should be a record-breaking one. I think the racing public has really warmed to his story this season and while there'll always be a sense of regret that he was never tested over fences following his Hennessy mishap, he's ruled the staying hurdle division like none before. A very good afternoon to Damon In Selby who says: "Lots of races too close to call at Aintree today Dave on the 1st day but I do think Gullinbursti has an outstanding chance in the last race on the card, having backed West End Rocker at 16/1 earlier in the week for the national Iam also hoping for some rain before Saturday.Maybe a raindance on the course by you is out of the question."

Normally I'd do one in a flash D but there's a latin dance troop performing here today and they have rhythm. Once they've gone the floor is mine. AM from Newcastle writes: "Hoping for an early forecast on big bucks and smad place gets me going for the day! wish people would stop talking about the weather for saturday i think ive got 6 horses already based on different conditions! pretty sure ill be left disappointed again compared to those lucky name pickers dam you! Haha"

Just wait for the annual (well I did once last year) blog horse-by-horse guide on Saturday morning AM. All calculations will go out the window after that. Round two of the Matalan fashion show under way. Hippy Chic is the look of the season, I'm reliably informed. I'd never carry it off. Too many hoops. The fightback is on! The latest email simply reads: "I'm Simon M, luckless brother of chuckle twins David M & Mark M - incidentally, they are identical in both looks (think Cletus from The Simpsons) and the absence of any sign of human intelligence.

"All I suggested was "it was impossible to make money at Aintree" and today looked a terrible day for betting. For those of you desperate for a bet, can I suggest holding fire until tomorrow and parking a wheelbarrow of cash on Cotton Mill to beat Fingal Bay who is unlikely to be able to overcome last month's training setback."

They seem harsh critics SM - but then again I have my own share (think of the man who referred to me as an infected lady part at Cheltenham. I often do). Always great to have Hussein here and he says: "Hello Dave. Sorry to say no love from me on Dodging Bullets as I just love Grumeti today. Also another chance for Our Father in the last- softer ground will suit. However, good luck today" And to you H. Time for a word from our sponsors and from the Sky Bet trading room Andy Twitchen reports: "

Spirit River 10/1 from 14/1 - 5.25 Aintre.
Former winner of the Coral Cup at the Festival before losing the plot over fences. Ran a decent race last time at Cheltenham but then tied up a bit when turning for home and perhaps that race might have brought him on. Has a real touch of class compared to most of these and is an interesting runner.

Dodging Bullets 4/1 from 9/2 - 2.30 Aintree.
This looks a very tricky race where most have a squeak. This one has been the most popular however despite Ruby originally staying loyal to Pearl Swan (now a Non- Runner). Is open to more improvement than the rest and this faster track is likely to play to his strengths against rivals that will be running over further this time next year.

Diamond Harry 14/1 from 18/1 - 3.05 Aintree
This season hasn't gone to plan for the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup winner, despite making a pleasing reappearance in the Betfair Chase behind Kauto Star. Unlike most of his rivals today, he didn't have a hard race when pulling up in the Gold Cup. Jockey Noel Fehily was sympathetic on the 9 year old that day, and with an interrupted preparation after a breather operation a valid excuse, he certainly has the class to go close today if back to his best. No further rain, sunny and blustery out there now. Must be drying out. Giles Cross don't panic old mate. We've showers forecast for 48 hours. Surely they can't all miss this place? Jenny From Sarajevo is back. Great to have her here. She says: "Morning Dave, and it really is Sunny in Sarajevo, as compared with early February when we had 5 feet of snow..... Lovely day's racing today, and as ever my eyes (perhaps foolishly) turned to the Foxhunters.

" Falbrav (hello there!) will confirm that I am nut for these races. Cloudy Lane and My Way de Solzen look the pick of this particular bunch, especially considering their past form (My Way a World Hurdle and an Arkle; Cloudy Lane a Kim Muir, a Tommy Whittle and a Peter Marsh). I understand that My Way was retired, but became so impatient (or pi**ed off?) with poodling about a field all day that they brought him back into training, which, while he has since been very lightly raced, (although he won his first Hunter back after a break) augurs well.

"Anyway, a couple of bob (or in my case Euros) on the both of them - wow, I do push the boat out a bit sometimes! Of the rest, I can't really make up my mind, with so many conflicting opinions, but a bit on Deireadh Re for the place in the 5.25 looks a bit of value. As for the Matalan catwalk, words fail me (and will probably continue to do so). I haven't yet got the local betting shop to pirate any of the racing channels, or the BBC for that matter, so it's the trusty laptop for the rest of the day."

The lap-top will never let you down Jen. The wifi might, but the lap-top won't. The Fox Hunters is always a cracking spectacle. Peter M from the Aintree end of Walton has the game cracked. He says: "Packed a waterproof coat and sunglasses for the short stroll to the Railway Club on Melling Road for a quick pint in their reasonably priced bar and, if I time it right, a short chat with someone from the Nicholls yard in the car park. If they say Al Ferof is ready, I'll be boosting my stake by doubling up with Big Buck's. Nacarat and Silk Drum look cracking each way bets too."

Is it cask ale at the Railway Club PM? John Smith's Smooth the drink on course. I'm not its biggest fan but at time needs must. Crasher From Bournemouth writes: "Morning Dave and hears to another fabulous Aintree festival to all but bring a close to the UK NH season. I can't believe all the negativity around Al Ferof today.

"Had SS not been there he would of won the Arkle as i think the only reason he clouted that fence was the fact that Ruby was trying to get SS off the bridle at least so had to push earlier than normal. You can't forget this horse came a close 3rd in a genuine G1 in the VC chase only 2 months ago.

"Pepite Rose has looked classy but this is a big step up for her A few small ones today on What a Friend and Spirit River, the latter was talked up by NH's conditional jockey Jerry McGrath on the RP website. As for Saturday,

"I'm another one in the Killyglen camp, but if the rain comes i think Seabass has a big chance. Bet of the week has to be Oscar Whiskey at 9/4 - oozes class over this optimum trip and think Rock on Ruby beat an underperforming field in the Champion Hurdle."

I'm a huge Oscar Whisky fan Crash - If I may call you that sir - but just worried about the gruelling race he had at Aintree. They got to the bottom of him there but then again he's had four weeks to get over it. At last brotherly love is breaking out. David M writes: "I'm Mark Ms brother (see 1120) and am joining him on Oiseau de Nuit today. I also fancy that old rogue What A Friend to run a big race and can absolutely confirm that our older brother Simon does definitely need to grow a pair."

Poor old S. He's had a tough morning. Oisuea de Nuit is quickly becoming a big team shout. Courtesy of totepool I've just been given a Quick Pick toteplacepot. It's a £2 straight line and I've got to say I've been a little lucky. The horses are Big Buck's, Grumeti, What A Friend, Gwanako, Free World and Menorah. Me likes it. Me likes it a lot. A poignant moment with the unveiling of a bust of Ginger McCain next to the parade ring. It's a wonderful and fitting tribute to a man who did so much for this place during his life. Si Atkins writes: "Morning DO, glad to hear that all this rain has somehow missed Aintree, I'm already over exposed ante post on Junior so hoping the rain stays away,Currently under water in Manchester. "Nacaraat is way too big in the Bowl today, have helped myself to the 12s. Also looking forward to seeing Pepite Rose show up the boys later on.Have a good one sir."

And you SA. Apparently - and I must admit I did read this somewhere rather than research it myself - but front-runners have a cracking record in the Bowl. I've chickened out and gone with the favourite but I wouldn't talk anyone out of Nacarat. Confirmation Jack - Ruby is on Dodging Bullets. The man is a fool... Jack A asks: "Any idea what Rubys on in second race Dave-Ruby roll up today!" I presume Dodging Bullets JA - unless I'm appointed his agent in the next 45 minutes. Another of our team who's overseas is Mark M who says: "Greetings from rainy Prague. Looking forward to a sun filled (I'm a Man City fan so ever optimistic!) weekend at Aintree. Flying over tonight so will come racing tomorrow & Saturday. Nap of the day is Oiseau de Nuit and I'm looking forward to winning money from Thousand Stars & Kazlian on Saturday. Ps...my older brother Simon needs to grow a pair!"

Very well said sir. Not that I know your Simon I hasten to add. I think it's fair to say that Tom Scudamore go the fractions a little wrong on Kazlian at Cheltenham. Wasn't he quicker over the first three hurdles than Overturn in the Champion? A very good morning to the great Falbrav who writes: "Fantastic to read that the machinery is live and we can contribute. That said, I really enjoyed your email conversations with yourself. I actually have live discussions with me all the time and these exchanges are always congenial, which is more than can sometimes be said of verbal discourse with Mrs F.

"One man's misery is another man's grounds for optimism and, as a Killyglen backer (again!), I'm happy to hear your report of drying ground, although this is tempered with empathy for your own position. I haven't honestly found much inspiration today, although I do agree with you that Ruby picked a wrong 'un in the Juvenile Hurdle...only my money is on Dodging Bullets (who I assume Ruby will now switch to?).

" DB is my only serious wager of the day, although I have had a small each way tickle on Won In The Dark in the opener. Best of luck today, old chap. I'll be glued to the blog for the next 3 days."

Cheers F. Immediately after the Triumph Hurdle I vowed to back Dodging Bullets at Aintree but there's something about Hinterland's run at Cheltenham in the handicap the last day that excites me. Exposed flesh on the catwalk at the Matalan fashion show. All I'll say is it's a very brave - and confident - young man who models swimming trunks in temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius. Those closer to the action tell me the confidence wasn't misplaced. A man who can't be named (as he's at work) called - for blog purposes - J says: "My dongle once went blue from playing football in the snow...anyway, what do you make of Al Ferof's chances today? I can't see it getting beat. I'm also on Giles Cross for the GN on Saturday, and strongly considering backing Shakalakaboomboom to round of Henderson's impressive Spring.

Shakalakaboomboom also on my Nash hit-list J - along with Calgary Bay his Sky Bet Chase conqueror. I'm losing control and its only Thursday. I'm very much against Al Ferof today because I'm a huge fan of the thriving Pepite Rose. She's in a Round Robin (great bet as you never know much you've got to come back) with Riverside Theatre and Boxer Georg in the Fox Hunters. The dice are airborn. Time for a parish notice and going news. We are mainly good to soft with a few soft patches on the National course.

Our clerk of the course - and director of racing - Andrew Tulloch says: "We had half a millimetre of rain overnight and we could get some showers today. The forecast is for Friday to be sunny with showers and Saturday cooler with showers."

Come on the showers - for Giles Cross that is. Also my new black jacket is allegedly storm proof. I intend to put Jeff Banks' bold claim to test. Phil in Sunny Northampton writes: "Read comments 0945 and 0940 is unchronological order and needless to say I only just narrowly avoided a mouthful of tea/screen interface scenario.

"Offshore Account & Edgardo Sol for me today with a small e/w on Poungach although will gladly see Big Buck's make history.

"The 1505 is a fascinating race and not one for a bet for me but looking forward to it. Keep up the good work Dave!"

Completely agree with most of that PC - fascinating to see Big Buck's has a weight-adjusted Timeform rating of 190+ in the racecard today. Sad to say we'll probably never find out quite how good he could be. What's going to get to the bottom of him? Bit news ahead of the world's greatest race and Le Beau Bai and Always Waining were taken out of the John Smith's Grand National at the final declaration stage. Neptune Equester the last one to sneak in at the bottom with Any Currency, Our Island, Abbeybraney and Smoking Aces the four reserves. We have wifi! I feel liberated. God I've missed the beautiful invisible router. Thanks - and congratulations to Dave Richards who managed to get this through. He wrote: "Hows things? Looking forward to another three days of top class NH racing....I don't think I can recall a Thurs and Fri of the Aintree Festival ever being so good.

"Nice interview on the morning line the other day btw. Not a big punting day for me today - just a small lucky 31 - not sure what race I'm looking forward to most...."

Cheers DR and this is a vintage Aintree Festival. Thanks for your kind words on the Morning Line appearance too. As I walked back to the press room I said to the cameraman: "Expect some calls to the switchboard asking if that was Russell Crowe who's just been on". His response? "Don't you mean Russell Grant?" My dongle has gone blue - which I'm told is a good sign. If so you should be reading updates soon... David Craig and the Sky Sports News team filming live in the press room. They've just got a daring shot of me returning to my desk from the gents. I could get my dongle out in a minute. That's the sort of threat that will spring the IT team in action. (note to ed I did try it but no signal in here). A follow-up email from Dave Ord who says - how did you react to the loss of wifi Dave? With a second bacon sandwich DO. It's a silent but effective form of protest. Wifi still down so the conversation with my greatest fan continues. First email of the day is from Dave Ord who asks: Dave, what are the three horses you've backed?

Cheers Dave. They are that strong travelling and fresh brute Hinterland in the juvenile hurdle, Oiseau De Nuit in a Matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase which may lack a little strength in depth and Veiled in the finale. I like a bridle horse. Early wifi woes. If you're reading this we're connected again. If not I'm talking to myself. Dave you look great, don't listen to those other boys. Good morning and welcome to Aintree. Question of the day - what on earth has happened to the M62? No word of a lie I think only about 15 miles of the trans-Pennine route from Castleford to Liverpool is NOT 50mph average speed check. Not a workman in sight either. Well one but he was reading the Daily Star and having a Ginsters just west of Halifax. He had the right idea.

Anyway welcome to a sunny Aintree and what a John Smith's Grand National meeting we have in store. The winners of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle and Gold Cup are here over the next three days and the course looks in wonderful nick.

Having backed confirmed mudlark Giles Cross for Saturday's big one it's no surprise to me to see the ground drying out to good to soft all round. Anyway what do you fancy today? I'm with three horses, sadly two of which Ben Linfoot has put up as Value Bets. I think he has my home computer bugged. Emails as ever to daveord55@gmail.com. My day will begin in style. A bacon sandwich.