DOUBLE HANDFUL

SOMETHING I’ve never subscribed to is that old saying that declares, “all races are created equal”.

Poppycock. The Grand National is a race far superior than any other in the racing calendar, or any other calendar for that matter.

The Spectator, Netflix and are other things I’ve never subscribed to, just for the record.

My love for the National began when I was put in charge of the office sweep.

I won it most years, which should have aroused suspicion – that and the fact I didn’t even work in that office.

Now, call me a cynic, call me an old hack, call me a cab if you like, but I like to get a good price about any selection I pick in the Grand National. That’s because pretty much anything can win this contest.

Years of experience tells me form tends to go out through the window, along with my betting slips.

An average punter will back a National winner around four times in his or her lifetime. That’s assuming they don’t have 15 selections every year, in which case it would be five times.

One For Arthur bagged the prize last year at a relatively skinny 14-1, but the five winners before him returned at 33-1, 25-1, 25-1, 66-1 and 33-1.

If I could palm any horse out of the office sweep it would be Tiger Roll, a three-time Cheltenham Festival hero.

The son of Derby winner Authorized has a light weight on his back, an in-form trainer (Gordon Elliott) and an experienced jockey (Davy Russell). Logic suggests he has a very good chance, which, of course, is a negative.

At around 10-1 if he wins it’s not going to be a life-changing event, not for me anyway.

I’m looking at a horse who has at least a double carpet price next to his name.

I’m looking expectantly, hopefully, pleadingly at 12-yearold SAINT ARE, a horse who has been placed in two of the last three runnings of this race.

He fits most of the trends except for one – age. He’s the grand old age of 12, hence the beefy price.

Amberleigh House won at 12 in 2005 and three 11-year-olds have won the race in the last six years.

Here’s hoping...