Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

The centrepiece of a packed sporting weekend remains the Grand National, which competes for televised attention with two FA Cup semi-finals, four Heineken Cup quarter-finals, the last two rounds of the US Masters, Real Madrid against Barcelona, and the first weekend of the county cricket season.

My three ante-post National bets have at least made it into the race. While Can't Buy Time has shortened from 40-1 to 33-1, he'll probably drift because owner J P McManus's retained jockey Tony McCoy has snubbed him.

Beat The Boys, who is either pulled up or wins, was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival last month and is 150-1 from the 80-1 which I took. Backstage, backed at 20s, is out to 25-1.

Room, then, for one small bet on the Irish "sleeper", Ballyholland, winner of the Galway Plate last summer but who has run only twice since; £5 each-way, at 33-1 generally.

Turf Account: Chris McGrath

*Nap

Dom D'Orgeval (3.25 Aintree)

Has quickly retrieved his form returned to Nick Williams, going with renewed zest at Newbury last time.

*Next Best

Thumbs Up (5.00 Aintree)

This sharper track should suit this speedy type, who went with plenty of promise at Haydock last time.

*One To Watch

Ice Diva (P W D'Arcy) caught the eye making up ground into midfield at Kempton on Wednesday.

*Where The Money's Going

The Package is 12-1 from 16-1 with Sky Bet for the Grand National.