ALWAYS Waining may have missed getting a run in the John Smith’s Grand National by the skin of his teeth but he managed to achieve the next best thing at Aintree on Friday.

PEDDLERS CROSS and Binocular feature among a fascinating list of 13 entries for Saturday’s John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

Peddlers Cross and Binocular feature among a fascinating list of 13 entries for Saturday’s John Smith’s Hurdle at Aintree.

Holmwood Legend sprang a 25-1 surprise to lift the Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham for trainer Pat Rodford and 3lb claimer Keiran Burke.

The stomach is churning now and I can’t wait for the second race today, when my own involvement in Cheltenham begins in earnest with Oscars Well in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle.

THE post-race reaction following Hurricane Fly’s victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle was fascinating.

AS expected, the Betfair exchange was hopping on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and the day’s trading was littered with expensive failures.

Oscars Well, Bostons Angel and Roberto Goldback have all settled in well at Cheltenham which is a relief, as you’d hate to get this far and for something to go wrong.

WHEN at Sandown last Saturday, I decided to give Willie Mullins a ring in an effort to firm up some plans for Cheltenham.

HERE’S a tip for Cheltenham — don’t bet. But, of course, such words of wisdom will be completely lost in the festival air — though there is the possibility they might be fleetingly recalled after the last race has been run next Friday.