ITS still two months away but the Aintree juices really started flowing this week when the National entries were revealed.
Dad has seven entered in the race and theres a good chance they will all get there.
Of course all eyes will be on Tiger Roll if he runs, but of our entries Ballyoptic and Bristol De Mai are class acts and would have big chances.
Dad has won the race twice before and theres nothing like being part of a Grand National-winning team.
I was only nine the last time he won with Bindaree so its about time we got back in the winners enclosure hopefully with me on board!
If all the best stayers turn up it could well be a vintage year and there are plenty who could give Tiger a run for his money.
As far as top chasers are concerned, this weekend is full of them. Im very excited to get the leg up on GOOD BOY BOBBY (2.25 Sandown) in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase.
This has been the plan for a long time and he has been in great form at home, so were expecting a big run.
With the likes of Laurina and Vision Des Flos taking part its quite a competitive race, but we think a lot of him and he could well serve it up to them.
This should set him up nicely for the Arkle at Cheltenham. Another one of ours who could head to the Arkle is Torpillo.
He looked exciting at the start of the season but hasnt been seen since finishing fourth in the Henry VIII. Hell head to the Kingmaker at Warwick next Saturday.
Back to today and BROUGHTONS ADMIRAL (3.00) has a live chance.
He won well last time out at Hereford and stays the trip well in this ground, so Im hoping to be bang there.
ZAMBELLA (1.50) threw me out of the saddle on her only start for us, a mishap that was most unfortunate as she was going well at the time.
There are only five runners and she gets a weight allowance, so she should go well.
The 3.35 should turn into a slog and that will suit CRIEVEHILL (3.35). Hes top-weight, but he jumps well and will like the track.
Dad hasnt entered anything in the Dublin Festival, but its a brilliant line-up.
Im a massive fan of Honeysuckleand I reckon shell win their Champion Hurdle before coming over here for a crack at the big one.
A fair bit has been said about British horses not travelling over, but our programme is so good I see no reason to make the trip.
It is quite close to Cheltenham, too, and most trainers would prefer not to give their horses a hard race at this time of the season.
