OLD PORTER IS CARRYING MY HOPES

FESTIVAL BELL-TERS Revealing tales and top tips from ITV Racing’s Oli Bell

THE Randox Grand National is a race out on its own — and the first race most of us ever remember watching.

My first was Party Politics in 1992 and I’ve been captivated by the race ever since.

I’d get up at 6am on National day and study the form so my mum could put my bets on.

When I was young, I always dreamed of riding in it — but being 6ft 2in and terrified of the idea of getting on a horse, that dream was never fulfilled.

National day is massive for the newspapers — the National day edition is the biggest seller of the year — and for television.

The ITV Racing team realise that what the public sees in our shop window has to be positive, so fingers crossed today’s race is a success.

Whoever wins, the result will throw up a story.

As for the snippets from the production room, Sir AP McCoy thinks I Am Maximus is best of JP McManus’s five, although Ruby Walsh reckons Capodanno, another in the green and gold, will go well at a massive price.

Mick Fitzgerald is with JP’s Meetingofthewaters, while Rishi Persad is siding with Corach Rambler.

BELL’S BANKERS

Ruby thinks Mullins’ Capodanno will go well at massive odds

I’M very much in the PANDA BOY camp in the Randox Grand National (4.00).

His efforts over shorter suggest that he’ll devour every yard of the marathon distance, and he’s got a share of bottom weight with 10st 7lb.

Martin Brassil is always a man to have on your side and I take him to train his second winner of the race after Numbersixvalverde in 2006.

We’ve got three other races on ITV and BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is the pick for the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (1.55).

The improving FORWARD PLAN gets the nod for the William Hill Handicap Chase (2.30) and old favourite

FLOORING PORTER is the right favourite for the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3.05).

■ OLI BELL is a Sky Bet brand ambassador