It is now only five days to the greatest race in the world for us National Hunt lovers. According to the official Aintree site the first Grand National was run in 1839 and was won by Lottery. However in the book Gallant Sport written by John Penfold he argues that the first Grand National was run in 1836. All I know is that the first televised Grand National was run in 1960 which is when my love affair with the race started. The winner that year was Merryman II (pictured) ridden by Gerry Scott and trained by Neville Crump. Twelve days prior to the big event, Gerry Scott, whose second ride in the Grand National it was to be, broke his collar bone in two places. Refusing to stand down, Scott rode tied and strapped, 'feeling', as he said later, 'no pain'. I do not think that would happen today. Merryman II took control of the race at Valentines and eventually won the race by fifteen lengths. I was one very happy punter. The weather forecast for this week is fine and the going should be 'good' come Saturday. This will help those horses high in the handicap. War of Attrition will now carry second top weight with the withdrawal of those above him in the handicap. There was a lot of money reported for him last week from both sides of the Irish Sea and his odds have come down dramatically. He is trained by Mouse Morris and races under the name of Gigginstown House Stud, as do all horses owned by the no nonsence Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary who sponsors the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Incidently there was no truth in the rumour that the jockeys in the Ryanair Chase had to pay £25 to weigh in! War of Attrition won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2006 and was later off the course from December 2006 until October 2008 through injury. He must have a big chance if back to his best form. The same owner and trainer also run Hear The Echo who won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in March last year. Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride My Will and his mount will receive 5lbs from War of Attrition. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

It is now only two weeks away to the Grand National Handicap Chase, the greatest race in the world, which will be run over 4 miles 4 furlongs at Aintree. The race is worth a staggering £900,000 this year. There are 88 horses declared at the moment and this will be reduced to 40 on the day of the race. I am waiting to see which horse Ruby Walsh decides to ride. Will it be one from Willie Mullins yard or one from Paul Nicholls? Snowy Morning (pictured centre) from the Willie Mullins yard ran third in the race last year but he has shown little form so far this season. My Will from the Paul Nicholls yard ran a good race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and seems well handicapped in the Grand National. I would imagine this will be the one Ruby Walsh goes for. Then we have Tony McCoy and his boss J.P.McManus trying to win the race for the first time. It will be interesting to see which one of J.P. McManus's Tony McCoy decides to ride. At the moment horses on my short list for the race are Character Building, Rambling Minster, War of Attrition, State of Play and whatever Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy decide to ride. The going looks as though it will be "good" which will help those high in the handicap. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

What a fabulous four days racing we all had at the Cheltenham Festival last week. The Gold Cup showed that Kauto Star and Denman are way ahead of the other three mile Chasers and we are already counting down to their rematch in 2010. Lets hope they stay fit and well. It might well be Denmans' turn to regain his crown next year. Heres counting down. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

Well we are at Day 4 already of the Cheltenham Festival 2009 and it will soon be all over for another 12 months. The main race today and the highlight of the whole meeting is the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup worth £475,000 run over 3 miles 2 furlongs. Kauto Star (pictured) will make history if he can regain his crown. After the defeats of Binocular,Voy Por Ustedes and Kasbah Bliss can another "good thing" bite the dust? He clearly looks the best on all form. Denman looked very ring rusty on his return in the Levy Board Chase at Kempton where he was beaten 23 lengths by Madison Du Berlais. In the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury at the end of November Madison Du Berlais had cheekpieces fitted for the first time and showed improved form in beating Air Force One. Big Bucks was right there coming to the last before he unseated his rider. The form of the race now looks solid after Big Bucks win in the World Hurdle on Thursday. Air Force One disappointed in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day where he injured himself. Kauto Star was a majestic winner of this race. Air Force One, Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer have all had breaks since the end of December in which to freshen them up. Tony McCoy has chosen Exotic Dancer ahead of Albertas Run as his ride. Kauto Star should make history but perhaps we might see a new kid on the block run into a place at big odds in Air Force One. He is still only a seven year old and is worth following whatever. The first race on the card is the JCB Triumph Hurdle worth £120,000 run over 2 miles 1 furlong for 4 year olds only. This looks a very hot contest. It would be nice to see Alan King and Robert Thornton get some compensation for the defeat of Voy Por Ustedes with Walk On. The trainer rates him highly but then the same applies to the trainers of Zaynar, Ebadiyah, Master of Arts and Reve De Sivola, just to name a few! Walk On is a course and distance winner and I hope he can win over the course again. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The feature race on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for which Kasbah Bliss (pictured) is a warm favourite to win this £260,000 race run over 3 miles. Kasbah Bliss ran second to Inglis Drever in this race last year and seems an even better horse this year. He was very impressive in his pipeopener at Haydock and will be very hard to beat here. Punchestowns showed improved form running over this longer trip at the beginning of the season, but Kasbah Bliss comes here a fresh horse and will be difficult to beat. The race before the big one is the Ryanair Chase worth £220,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs. Voy Por Ustedes will be a warm order for this and will have most to fear from last years winner Our Vic and Imperial Commander. The fifth race is the Freddie Williams Festival Plate Handicap Chase worth £90,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs and named after the fearless bookmaker the late Freddie Williams. Finger on the Pulse won over course and distance at the Cheltenham Festival last year when he beat Barbers Shop and I am sure will run well here. With the going drying out it might well help the top weight Stan who is also a course and distance winner. His trainer Venetia Williams won this race with Idole First two years ago. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase worth £320,000 is the feature race on Wednesday. This race run over 2 miles looks as though it will be won again by Master Minded (pictured). If Well Chief has retained his ability after such a long lay off then we might see a race to savour. 14/1 is a huge price about him. Earlier on the card we have the Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle worth £120,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs. Mikael D'Haquenet and Diamond Harry make most appeal here. This race is followed by the Royal Sun Alliance Chase worth £170,000 run over 3 miles for novice staying chasers. It was won last year by Albertas Run. Carruthers would be a hugely popular winner of this. He will probably have most to fear from Cooldine whose form was given a boost by Forpadydeplasterer on Tuesday. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

Well the waiting is nearly over and The Cheltenham Festival gets underway tomorrow with the feature race being the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle run over 2 miles and worth £370,000. Binocular is a worthy favourite for this and could easily become one of the "greats". I have seen a lot of excellent Hurdlers over the years but the best has to be Night Nurse (pictured on right) who won the Champion Hurdle in 1976 when a five year old and then in 1977 when a six year old. In 1976 he started at 2/1 favourite and made all the running to win on good to firm ground. In 1977 the ground was heavy and the bookmakers opposed Night Nurse because of this. He made all the running again and beat a little known five year old by the name of Monksfield. Night Nurse's odds were a very rewarding 15/2. Binocular is also a five year old and acts on soft ground which he will encounter tomorrow. He is owned by J.P.McManus who also has very good chances of winning the Cross Country Chase with L'Ami. Last years winner also owned by J.P.McManus, Garde Champetre, is a very able second string. Tomorrow's proceedings get underway with the Supreme Novices Hurdle worth £120,000 run over two miles. Cousin Vinney was an impressive winner of the Bumper last year and would be a popular winner of this. The William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase worth £90,000 and run over 3 miles looks a very difficult race to solve. Maljimar, Star De Mohaison and Wichita Lineman are the three on my short list. Be lucky. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

We should not wish our time away but there is now only one week to go to the greatest four days racing in the world. The last year has flown by in anticipation after all the excitement at the Cheltenham Festival of 2008. My first visit to the racecourse was in 1964 and I was lucky enough to see Arkle (pictured) win the first of his three Gold Cups. Can Kauto Star regain his crown ? He is a very warm order to do it so I am sure there is going to be some eachway value elsewhere. As always the going will be crucial and unbelievably after all the rain we have had Cheltenham are watering parts of the New Course. For the very latest Cheltenham news click on Cheltenham. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".