THE Grand National takes place on Saturday afternoon at Aintree and with many people offering their expert advice, our resident tipster, Bobby Dubz, takes a look at the runners and riders for Saturday's race.
IT IS that time of year again.
The time when we all have a flutter on the horses and mix with others in the office for the annual sweepstake.
Of course, most of us know little about who we are betting on, or who we picked out of the draw, and invariably we go by the name of the horse, or who is tipped up by the so-called experts.
In truth, the Grand National is one of the hardest things to call in sport.
It is not like a two-horse race (excuse the pun) where there may be a clear favourite and a rank outsider, this is a gruelling, challenging race over the infamous fences at Aintree, where only the brave venture and only a few often finish.
There are always plenty of falls, whether it be the horses or the jockeys flung from the saddle and more often than not, the winner is someone no-one considers.
But this is the beauty of one of the British sporting calendar's most celebrated events, where a 100-1 shot is just as likely to win as the favourite (just look back to last year and surprise winner Auroras Encore, who was priced at 66-1 before the race).
And this year, it is just as hard to call.
Teaforthree, who finished third in last year's race, is the favourite with most bookmakers, and at 8-1, the ten-year-old could still offer a good return if it comes home first.
Behind that, you have former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run and another so-called major player Tidal Bay (both 14-1), while Double Seven and Burton Port are other contenders, according to the bookmakers.
However, my tip is Monbeg Dude, the horse bought by England rugby star Mike Tindall, whose jumping has been improved by the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and who is being ridden by Paul Carberry.
The former Welsh National winner is in good form this year and has improved his jumping since then, and at 20-1 the nine-year-old offers a good return for the punters.
Of course, you could look past this and go for one of the horses with a more extravagant name, like Shakalakaboomboom, Balthazar King or even Goonyella, who has form in long-distance stamina races.
And for those of you who fancy the best possible return, there are 11 horses at odds of 66-1 or higher, which bet to place would still represent good value if they stay the distance.
Whoever you go for, or whoever you pick out in the office sweepstake, you are sure to have a chance at least until about 4.16pm on Saturday, just after the 40 horses have started the race.
