I’m writing this post on the way across to London to meet Matt. We’re putting our heads together for an afternoon of punting and drinking. I can guarantee that at least one of the two will go to plan!

We’re then off, hangovers permitting, to Lingfield tomorrow for the Winter Derby. If Tranquil Tiger doesn’t win this then it’ll be a long train journey home…..

As for today, it’s no secret that I really fancy Westlin Winds in the Triumph and it seems that quite a few other people do too as his price has shortened to around 10/1 now. Having got a lumpy bet on at 22/1 and 20/1 it’s time to hedge my bets with a saver on Advisor. Fingers crossed for the 1.30.

I’ll also be backing Cheshire Prince in the 4.55 Fakenham as I’m sure he’ll find this a bit easier than the Imperial Cup last Saturday where he finished 5th (of course he did ‘cos I backed him each way!).

If all else fails I’ll be getting out with Safari Journey in the last at Cheltenham.

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I don’t know how many of you noticed my brother’s comments on Matt’s blog the other day but it has got to go down as one of the best pieces of tipping ever. In case you didn’t see it, he wrote….

‘As for Tuesday its good racing to watch but few betting opportunities for me. Chief Dan George in the William Hill and my best bet of day is A New Story at 40/1 in your fav race the cross country.’

Which is pretty typical of him. Not many betting opportunities but still manages to bag winners at 40/1 and 33/1!

He hasn’t shut up about it since but I have to take my hat off to him. He was really confident about A New Story I just wished I’d listened to him!

I know he had a decent bet up including a double on the two and he’s already spent it on a state-of-the-art hot tub for his back garden. I’m looking forward to testing that out this summer.

For anyone who wants to follow him today he recommends My Will at 33/1 without Kauto and Denman in the Gold Cup and Gloucester at 66/1 in the County Hurdle. Good luck!

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Midlands National (Saturday 3.15 Uttoxeter)

This is usually a good race for the trends so let’s have a look….

There hasn’t been a winner aged 10 or older since 1995…
which reduces the field to 11

There hasn’t been a winner who carried 11 stone or more since 1999….
we’re now down to 8

8 of the last 9 winners that completed the course last time out finished in the top 3….
only 4 now remain

8 of the last 10 winners had won a race over 3m2f or further…
Giles Cross and Ballydub haven’t

2 left but

1) in the last 10 years the Irish have a record of 4 wins, 4 places from just 19 runners.
2) 4 of the last 5 winners won last time out
3) Henry Daly has a 0-0-5 record in the last decade

Therefore I will overlook Sherwoods Folly to side with…..

INOMA JAMES

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And finally, as you probably all know I spend the winter months selling calendars for the Calendar Club in Cardiff. They are a national chain with nearly 300 outlets throughout the country and the best company I have ever worked for (admittedly there haven’t been that many!)

Anyhow, I received a phone call from them yesterday to tell me that I had won the  ’Operator of the Year’ award for 2009/10. It probably doesn’t mean too much outside the Calendar Club but I’m well chuffed plus I get a big shiny trophy, a slap up dinner, my photo in all CC literature and most importantly a novelty cheque worth £350! I reckon that should just about cover my bets for today…..

Good luck,
Gavin.