The Grand National

Welcome to the Grand National 2009! Here we are back at this spectacle of a race, so many horses in the line up! I have come up with a short list of horses for you, and our tip for the winner.

• STATE OF PLAY is used to running over 3 miles and has had mixed results. He beat OLLIE MAGERN in a small field race at Wetherby in November and has had little racing since.
• BUTLER'S CABIN is McCoy's mount and will have a lot of attention. Whilst he has put some wins together 2 years ago, hasn't won since and hasn't come close.
• PARSONS LEGACY is a horse with stamina. Used to coming home with the winners he won in October over 3 miles, but was since pulled up at Cheltenham last Christmas.
• CORNISH SETT came 12th last year and is another horse with the stamina needed to finish. Not many wins to his name and last time out he was soundly beaten.
• DARKNESS knocked up 3 wins over 3 miles 3 years ago and has done little since. His pre-race preparations started in November where he came 3rd, but was then pulled up racing over 3m6f at Chepstow. He won well last time out over 3m3f - he has a chance.
• RAMBLING MINSTER is a little old to be racing here, whilst he does still have the ability, winning his last 2 races both over 3 miles in arduous conditions. Has the stamina and the ability to win.
• KILBEGGAN BLADE has great recent form winning 3 races in a row although his last 2 races were over hurdles. His last race over fences saw him beat RAMBLING MINSTER, then he came 2nd, all over 3m. Is obviously in great form and has a real chance.
• MY WILL is a powerful beast who loves the big distances. Whilst he hasn't won for over 2 years he has come close and should finish the course today but may not have the fight to win.
• COMPLY OR DIE, we know can win as he did so in style last year. He is carrying more weight this year and that in itself can rule him out. Also the 3 races he has run since have been a disaster, so unfortunately I can't see a repeat happening.
• BLACK APALACHI fell last year, but has knocked up 2 winners since then over 3 miles in tough conditions, but he is carrying a lot of weight today and he will find this very tough.
• IRISH INVADER is very young to be running this race and is used to running over 2 miles. I would be surprised if he finished.

So out of the shortlist I see the race going to either RAMBLING MINSTER or KILBEGGAN BLADE, but RAMBLING MINSTER has been primed supremely for today and has the determination to turn the tables on his rival to finish his career by winning the biggest race in the world.