6th April 2016

Hi ,

It looks like all roads will be leading to Aintree from Thursday where we have three days of top jump racing culminating on Saturday with the Grand National. Unlike last year where we were blessed with days of glorious sunshine the forecasters are predicting heavy rain throughout the meeting.

This means that all the wags in their six inch heels and short skirts will have to tell their footballing husbands to stand by with a very big jolly brolly as they show off their finery around the parade ring.

There does appear to be a little controversy with this years race as some fancied runners down the bottom of the weights have missed the cut including the 2014 winner Pineau De Re. This is mainly due to the likes of Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins having 25% of the field running for their yards.

So where do we find this years winner? Well unlike most predictable tipsters I'm not going for any of the big yards or famous jockeys but two smaller yards as Howies Hotties this week.

The first one is Goonyella from Jim Dreapers stable in Ireland ridden by J.J.Burke. The horse won the Midlands National and was 2nd in the Scottish version last year. He stays for ever and if he is in contention after Bechers second time round he will take the beating especially if the ground turns very soft. I bet if he does pull it off the trainers dad Tom will be looking down from heaven with pride as he was the trainer of the mighty Arkle.

My other fancy is The Romford Pele who comes from the Rebbeca Curtis yard on the West Coast of Wales and will be ridden by the promising Trevor Whelan. The gelding creeps in at the bottom of the weights as the trainer has been protecting his rating by running him over hurdles and his run a couple of races ago when 3rd to World hurdle winner Thistlecrack would give him a shout.

I'm sure many Arsenal fans will back the horse as he is named after Ray Parlour who got the famous nickname on the training ground after beating six men in a mazy dribble slipping the ball through Denis Berkamps legs and putting it into the net. Marc Overmars came over to him and said amazing you are now The Romford Pele. This was 1998 and as we know Wengers team went on to win the double.

Gooneyella is about 20/1 and The Romford Pele at 50/1 but good luck who ever you back but just lets hope all horses and jockeys come back safe and sound.

HOT HANDICAPPERS

FLAT

Express Himself trainer E.McMahon - He was on the bit 2 out in the Spring Mile and then found the ground too tacky. The gelding looks on a good mark.

Burano trainer D.O'Meara - Has not been with the yard for long and this trainer will find improvement.

Top of the Glass trainer B.Ellison - On a favourable rating and will come on for his Doncaster run.

Bossy Guest trainer M.Channon - Placed in last years 2000 gns the horse has been disappointing however I know Mick will find him a winning opportunity.

Catilo Del Diablo trainer D.Simcock - Slipping in the weights and should be competitive.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

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