Grand National meeting starts today

the Grand National meeting at Aintree starts today, with 3 days of high class action and it has to be said that this meeting has improved out of all recognition in recent years. Today´s card is of Cheltenham standards, and in fact features many of the stars from the recent Festival. There have been years with only a fortnight between the two meetings, which has had a negative effect on Aintree, but this year there are 3 weeks so that there is no huge disadvantage in running Cheltenham horses again.
Punters have to decide whether the Cheltenham form will stand up, the track here is very different, flatter and quicker, and the ground will be much faster than was the case 3 weeks ago. In fact they have been watering all week to stop it getting too firm - almost unthinkable last month.
And of course there is a huge Irish challenge for the Brits to repel- the Irish did extremely well at Cheltenham and have good prospects of more success here. Of the U.K. trainers., Nicky Henderson, who had another great week at Cheltenham, looks the man to follow, but Paul Nicholls, with rather a disappointing Cheltenham behind him, also fields a strong team, while local trainer Donald McCain is another man to follow.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rolling Star - Irish Saint - Flaxen Flare
2. Race: First Lieutenant - The Giant Bolster - Cape Tribulation
3. Race: The New One - Zarkandar - Grandouet
4. Race: Gwanako - Bold Addition - Warne
5. Race: Kid Cassidy - Rebel Rebellion - Pires
6. Race: Fago - Captain Conan - Changing Times
7. Race: Easter Day - Open Hearted - Jetson