The Bet 365 Gold Cup Chase, to us old timers the Whitbread, will be run tomorrow the 24th of April at Sandown over 3 miles 5 furlongs. It is a shame the race planners do not get together because I am sure the quality of the field is affected by having the Irish Grand National on the 5th of April, the John Smith's Grand National on the 10th of April and the Scottish Grand National on the 17th of April. Air Force One (pictured) promised so much last season after an excellent run behind Madison du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He has had his training problems and his form figures do not look encouraging but if he can recapture his best form he could run a big race here. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Irish National Hunt season draws to a close with the five day Punchestown Festival that starts tomorrow Tuesday 20th April. For those going across the Irish Sea from England these five days are a marathon. The atmosphere at Punchestown is unique, very relaxed, great facilities and exceptionally good value for money. The admission charges are 30 euros and for senior citizens only 18 euros. The racecourses in England should take note if they want to attract more customers to go racing. The feature race on Tuesday is the Boylesports.com Champion Steeplechase run over 2 miles. Twist Magic with Tony McCoy on board will probably be favourite for this, but I am hoping Sizing Europe (pictured) can take the step up to this class and become a fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next March. The feature race on Wednesday will be the Punchestown Guiness Gold Cup worth 225,000 euros and run over 3 miles 1 furlong. I wonder if Denman and Barbers Shop will turn up for this ? The going might be too quick for Denman. The same applies to the giant Joncol, whom I am sure will not be risked on good ground. With his frame he needs it soft or heavy. Thursday has the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle run over 3 miles as the feature. Perhaps I will give Cousin Vinny another chance here. Friday has the Rabobank Champion Hurdle as the feature. Hurricane Fly will reappear for this and Dunguib will be stepping up from novice class to take on the big boys. The meeting draws to a close on Saturday with the Airshow 100 Champion 4 yo Hurdle as the feature. All the news from the course can be found by clicking on Punchestown. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The picture shows Snowy Morning in the yellow colours leading over the last in the Aintree Grand National of 2008. He went on to finish third to Comply or Die. In 2009 he finished ninth to Mon Mome. This year he is reunited with David Casey who rode him in 2008 and has been allotted less weight than in the last two years. He looks to have an outstanding chance this year based on his form of two years ago. Madison Du Berlais is a classy horse and although carrying top weight is well handicapped with all the other runners. Niche Market won the Irish Grand National in 2009 and has shown good form this season. He is an out and out stayer and a safe jumper (famous last words). Paddy Power are paying five places on the Aintree Grand National so there is a lot of each way value to be had. I hope to see Snowy Morning make it third time lucky. Madison Du Berlais and Niche Market could get into the places. Lets hope we see a great race and that all the horses and jockeys return safe and sound. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The three day Aintree Grand National Meeting gets underway tomorrow (Thursday 8th) with seven races each day, the highlight of course will be the Grand National which will be run on Saturday. The feature race on Thursday will be the Totesport Bowl Chase worth £150,000.00 run over 3 miles 1 furlong. Imperial Commander (pictured) will be a warm order for this but Nacarat with Tony McCoy on board could make Imperial Commander pull out all the stops. This was the race that Madison Du Berlais won last year after Denman's fall. Madison Du Berlais has been declared for the Grand National this year and will consequently carry top weight of 11-10 meaning Mon Mome will carry 11-7, 7 lbs more than last year when winning at 100/1. Also on Thursday Big Bucks looks to have an excellent chance of taking the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle worth £100,000.00 run over 3 miles. On Friday the feature race will be the John Smiths Melling Chase worth £175,000.00 run over 2 miles 4 furlongs. Forpadydeplasterer with Davy Russell on board and Albertas Run with Tony McCoy on board are both well fancied for this. Old Monet's Garden is a course and distance winner here and with Richard Johnson on board looks as though he could be the each way value. We will know the 40 runners in the Grand National after the final declarations on Thursday. Madison Du Berlais is a classy horse and although burdened with top weight he is "well in " with the other runners. He ran in the race two years ago when only seven and got no further than the Canal Turn on the first circuit. Provided he does not remember that experience he could run very well. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".