GLORIOUS GOODWOOD SELECTIONS (DAY ONE)

1:55

Nabucco

E/W Blue Surf

2:30

Supplicant

E/W Majestic Alexander

3:05

Producer

E/W Boom and Bust

3:40

Duke of Clarence

E/W Harris Tweed

4:15

Brazos

E/W Sacha Park

4:50

Copperwood

E/W Captain Cat

5:25

Hamoody

E/W Jedward

DAWN APPROACH READY TO LEAVE DERBY RIVALS IN THE SHADOWS

WITH Dawn Approach on the horizon, the Epsom Derby looks set to rise to the occasion later today.

Twelve horses will take to the track at 4pm in a bid to win the £1.5m prize money - but will the favourite live up to expectations and run away with the winnings?

With the recent drugs scandal still looming in the sport, the chestnut colt is a beacon for Godolphin and seems to remain in a different league to his competitors. 

But even though it may be difficult to look past Dawn Approach, runners including Ruler of the World, Ocovango and Mirsaale (previous course winner) are high contenders.

Ruler of the World is an unbeaten six-length Chester Vase winner and, to me, has the highest chance of causing an upset.

He is half-brother to Duke of Marmalade and with Ryan Moore on board, the horse has the ability to finish in the top three.

Now at 100/1, Mirsaale may seem like a silly tip - but the son of the 2006 Derby winner Sir Percy has previously won at Epsom and could be the dark horse in the competition.

Arguably there are better horses in the Derby, but you never know - a sneaky £5 bet could get you a fantastic result.

Having trained in France, British racing could suit Ocovango slightly better. 

Trainer Andre Fabre has taken the horse on the same route which 2011 winner Pour Moi journeyed on and at around 7/1, he shouldn't be avoided.

However, I think red hot favourite Dawn Approach will follow in his father's footprints (or hoof-prints) and grab the title.

It's difficult to look past him and with an impressive 2,000 Guineas win under his belt, the unbeaten colt is ready to make another impact and make his seventh consecutive win.

But is it really going to be that easy?! Tell me who you have backed - Good luck!

My Top Three:

1st -  Dawn Approach

2nd - Ruler of the World

3rd - Mirsaale

AINTREE SELECTIONS - GRAND NATIONAL DAY

1:45 - John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Up and Go

2:15 - John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase
Overturn

2:50 - John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle
Holywell
Celestial Halo (ew)

3:25 - John Smith's Handicap Chase
Opening Batsman

4:15 - John Smith's Grand National Chase
SEABASS
Cappa Bleu
Teaforthree
Balthazar King

5:10 - John Smith's Handicap Hurdle
Shotavodka

5:45 - John Smith's Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race 
Dakar Run
Purple Bay (ew)

KATIE WALSH CAN RIDE SEABASS TO VICTORY IN GRAND NATIONAL

'WILL a female jockey win the Grand National?' is the question that has been hitting the headlines this week, and I think it could happen.

Katie Walsh, sister of champion jockey Ruby Walsh, is the only woman riding in the race and she will be partnering Seabass again, who finished third last year.

Seabass almost galloped to victory last year, but couldn't quite keep up with Sunnyhillboy and eventual winner, Neptune Collonges.

But I believe Katie has come back stronger this year and will charge past the post in prime position.

My money is on her.

I remember watching the 2012 Grand National. I was at my parents' house and we had a family friend over. 

He decided to watch the race with us, and when Katie was shown on our television screen, he said: "She won't win. She's a woman."

No one really knew how to answer him. But I did. I replied that being a woman makes no difference to winning or losing, and I believed Katie would produce a world-class performance, as she always does.

And she did. Third position is great - a fantastic achievement, the best position by any female jockey in the race.

But Katie can finish in a better position this year. She can win and everybody knows it.

At the moment, Seabass is around 10/1 to win, and Katie's brother, Ruby, is currently favourite with On His Own at 7/1.

A jockey needs a lot of luck in the Grand National, but with focus and determination, I am positive Katie will do the girls - and racing - proud.

ROBERT THORNTON AND IMPERIAL COMMANDER TO MISS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

IT'S BEEN a week of tumbles and disappointment in the racing world - first Imperial Commander pulled out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and then Robert Thornton was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Imperial Commander, the 2010 Gold Cup winner, was set to make a comeback and possibly regain his crown, but a lung infection forced his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, to pull him out of the race.

After an absence of nearly two years, the veteran chaser emerged as a surprise contender in one of the most biggest races in the sport, when he finished second in the Argento Chase in January.

However, despite the disappointment, connections hope he will recover in time for the John Smith's Grand National next month.

While Twiston-Davies keeps his fingers-crossed for the 12-year-old horse, jockey Robert Thornton revealed he broke his arm in a fall at Southwell on Monday and will now miss the remainder of the season.

Thornton, one of my favourite jockeys and a true gentleman (I have met him a few times and he is lovely), also damaged his spine in the tumble from Our Phylli Vera in a handicap hurdle, but it's hoped surgery will not be required.

The Cheltenham Festival will not be the same without the two sporting greats, but I, along with everyone in the racing world, wishes them a speedy and healthy recovery.

HEROIC IMPERIAL COMMANDER BIDS TO REGAIN GOLD CUP CROWN

IMPERIAL COMMANDER is around 20/1 to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown after his heroic performance at the Festival Trials.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was thrilled with the way the 12-year-old battled against the field in the Argento Chase last month.

After leading for a long way throughout the chase, Imperial Commander was just caught by Cape Tribulation and went down to second by half-a-length.

But the 2010 Gold Cup hero will now bid to become the second horse - after Kauto Star in 2009 - to regain his crown and the first 12-year-old since What A Myth in 1969.

Twiston-Davies' horse certainly pulled off a breath-taking win at Cheltenham last month and regained fans in the process.

He hadn't run for 680 days and suffered a set back at the beginning of the season, but still managed to finish in a respectable position.

With the odds of 20/1, and Bobs Worth being the 3/1 favourite, Imperial Commander may seem like the dark the horse in the race.

But I think a small flutter on the Twiston-Davies trained horse would not go amiss. 

He produced the wow factor and did what Kauto Star managed to do: doubted the punters who said he was too old to win again. He is a joy to watch and I personally did not think we would see him again. 

I think Imperial Commander is one to consider and should not be crossed off the list.

He stormed up the hill like a steam train in the Festival Trials and I believe he can do it again, but this time finish one place better.

LIST OF 84 ENTRIES FOR 2013 GRAND NATIONAL

The 2013 Grand National has attracted 84 entries, including popular horses Imperial Commander, On His Own, Tidal Bay, Sunnyhillboy and Chicago Grey.
Below is the list of entries (trainer's name in brackets).

Across The Bay (D McCain)

Albertas Run (J O'Neill)

Alfie Sherrin (J O'Neill)

Always Waining (P Bowen)

Any Currency (M Keighley)

Auroras Encore (S Smith)

Backstage (G Elliott)

Ballabriggs (D McCain)

Balthazar King (P Hobbs)

Becauseicouldntsee (N Glynn)

Beshabar (T Vaughan)

Big Fella Thanks (T George)

Bob Lingo (T Mullins)

Bostons Angel (Mrs J Harrington)

Calgary Bay (M Channon)

Call The Police (W Mullins)

Cappa Bleu (E Williams)

Chicago Grey (G Elliott)

Cloudy Lane (D McCain)

Colbert Station (T Walsh)

Cross Appeal (N Meade)

Fabalu (D McCain)

Forpadydeplasterer (T Cooper)

Frisco Depot (C Longsdon)

Gullible Gordon (P Bowen)

Harry The Viking (P Nicholls)

Imperial Commander (N Twiston-Davies)

Jessies Dream (G Elliott)

Join Together (P Nicholls)

Joncol (P Nolan)

Katenko (V Williams)

Lambro (W Mullins)

Lion Na Bearnai (T Gibney)

Little Josh (N Twiston-Davies)

Lost Glory (J O'Neill)

Magnanimity (D Hughes)

Major Malarkey (N Twiston-Davies)

Matuhi (D Pipe)

Midnight Chase (N Mulholland)

Mister Hyde (J O'Neill)

Mortimers Cross (J Needham)

Mr Moonshine (Mrs S Smith)

Mumbles Head (P Bowen)

Ninetieth Minute (T Taaffe)

Odysseas (Y Porzier)

On His Own (W Mullins)

Organisedconfusion (A Moore)

Oscar Time (M Lynch)

Outlaw Pete (J Halley)

Pandorama (N Meade)

Pearlysteps (H Daly)

Pentiffic (Miss V Williams)

Planet of Sound (P Hobbs)

Poker De Sivola (F Murphy)

Prince De Beauchene (W Mullins)

Problema Tic (D Pipe)

Quel Esprit (W Mullins)

Quinz (P Hobbs)

Quiscover Fontaine (W Mullins)

Quito De La Roque (C Murphy)

Rare Bob (D Hughes)

Roberto Goldback (N Henderson)

Roi Du Mee (G Elliott)

Romanesco (G Elliott)

 Saint Are (T Vaughan

Seabass (T Walsh)

Shakervilz (W Mullins)

Soll (J Hughes)

Summery Justice (V Williams)

Sunnyhillboy (J O'Neill)

Swing Bill (D Pipe)

Tarquinius (G Elliott)

Tartak (T Vaughan)

Tatenen (R Rowe)

Teaforthree (Miss R Curtis)

The Package (D Pipe)

The Rainbow Hunter (K Bailey

Tidal Bay (P Nicholls)

Tofino Bay (D Hughes)

Treacle (T Taaffe)

Viking Blond (N Twiston-Davies)

Weird Al (D McCain)

What A Friend (P Nicholls)

Wyck Hill (D Bridgwater)

 

61 ENTRIES FOR THE LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE - BUT IS THE RECORD NUMBER BECAUSE OF BIG BUCK'S?

A RECORD number of entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle has been received - a possible link between the departure of Big Buck's this season.

With a total of 61 entries, the field has been left wide open this year as the Paul Nicholls' wonder will not be taking part in the Cheltenham Festival race after sustaining an injury.

Four-time champion Big Buck's has, and always will be, a superstar to watch. But now after his shock departure from the season, I think other trainers have jumped in for a possibility of success.

At least now they know they'll be in for a chance!

Tidal Bay leads the way for Nicholls and is one of a team of six for the Ditcheat trainer - Wonderful Charm and Kauto Stone are also included.

If a Nicholls' horse does win, it will be the fifth consecutive World Hurdle for the yard.

However, I am a fan of Oscar Whisky - I have seen him around the Cheltenham track many times and have always admired watching him. He is definitely a class act and Nicky Henderson may be on to a winner with his entry.

Oscar Whisky is one of seven entries for Henderson and he has raced very well this season.

He always seems to have buzz about him and compared to other Henderson/Nicholls greats, Oscar Whisky, I think, is a dark horse (excuse the pun!)

It is a shame Big Buck's cannot take part but I still believe the World Hurdle will be fantastic to watch at the Festival.

Having a different winner will not hide Big Buck's achievements, but now the contest has opened up I think it will be refreshing to see another champion pass the post.

BOBS WORTH FAVOURITE FOR CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP 2013

FORTY entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup were revealed today (Wednesday) with Bobs Worth leading the pack as the favourite.

The horse, who is 3-1 with the sponsors of the 3m 3 ½f race, is one of many that is shaping the 2013 festival as a showpiece to watch on March 15.

Competition is building up and other horses including Long Run, Finian’s Rainbow, Tidal Bay and Kauto Stone were also among the 40 going for gold.

Stablemate Long Run is one of five entries for trainer Nicky Henderson – Finian’s Rainbow, Riverside Theatre and Roberto Goldback also make up the team.

Kauto Star may have said a sad farewell to racing, but trainer Paul Nicholls still has strong horses in the mix.

I think Tidal Bay is the one to watch from Nicholls’ team – his performance in the Lexus Chase was very good and impressed punters across the UK.

Ruby Walsh constantly pushed the 11-year-old until the end of the chase and he proved, along with Kauto Star, that being an older racehorse is not a disadvantage.

Entries from Nicholls’ yard also include Silviniaco Conti, Kauto Stone and What A Friend.

Is Bobs Worth a worthy favourite for the contest or can another entry go for gold on March 15?