But you can’t beat the National and this year’s cavalry charge over the Aintree fences looks as competitive as ever.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised heads the betting.

But we’ll look a bit lower for value where 20/1 shot Treacle looks a cracking each-way bet with Paddy Power who are paying-out on the first five places.

Treacle is trained by Tom Taffe and has had an up-and-down career.

But his last run in the Hennessy was an eye-catcher and the ride of Andrew Lynch should give us plenty to shout about on Saturday.

It’s a big weekend for Liverpool all round with the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley pitching the red and blue half of the city against each other.

It’s a straight choice between donning your best hat and heels for Aintree or on with scarf and trainers for the trip to north London.

And I’d be more confident heading south in an Everton coach with the Toffees in decent form as Liverpool continue to stumble.

Of course the bookies make Dalglish’s men favourites so let’s wade in on Everton at 15/8 to win.

The premiership race was blown wide open this week with Man Utd’s shock defeat at Wigan.

But the bookies are going over-the-top again on Man City’s chances at Norwich.

Now Man City are fantastic at home as a record of played 16 won 15 testifies.

Away from the Etihad it’s a different story with seven wins, four draws and five defeats.

Norwich had a great win at Spurs last weekend so why on earth they are 5/1 at home I don’t know.

All I do know is that I’ll be lumping on and hope City’s away day blues continue.

It was cat-kicking time at Betting Spy towers last week as a late Liverpool equaliser sunk our Villa bet.

And over in Augusta our man Justin Rose came unstuck during four mad holes during his third round.

He played beautifully for three and three quarter rounds but his head temporarily came off after rolling back into the water at the 15th and dropping four shots on the limp back home.

It’s great telly though even when you’re holding a losing slip.

I’ll be looking to get my money back on Rose at the Open where Lee Westwood must have a shout if he can learn to sink everything from 6ft.

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Running Total for all 2012 bets to a £10 stake:   +£180.00