doublesaint

Good if it wins, 20 times your stake for the fiver win, plus another fiver on at 5-1. On the nose means to win only, you have 2 bets basically, one bet to win and a 'covering' bet of it coming in first 4, though some bookies will pay out on 5 places. Each way is for pansies, fact.

Sorry if it seemed I was having a pop at you, just a general comment, I knew you personally knew better.

It may win, but that does still not necessarily make it a value bet, especially as it does not fit in to trends of recent winners of The National, also bear in mind that Ruby Walsh's profile has been elevated in the non racing publics eye due to his exploits at Cheltenham, and will be carrying a lot of small bets, forcing the price down further.

There has been a new crime of 'Being in London' apparently.... Outside the Bank of England, thousands were held for up to eight hours behind a police cordon, in a practice known as "kettling". Parents with children and passers-by were told by officers on the cordon that "no one could leave". According to witnesses, when they were finally allowed to go on Wednesday night, they were ordered to provide names and addresses and have their pictures taken. If they refused, they were sent back behind the cordon. John O'Connor, a former Met officer, criticised the tactic. "They are using this more and more," he said. "Instead of sending snatch squads in to remove those in the crowd who are committing criminal offences, they contain everyone for hours. It is a retrograde step ... it is an infringement of civil liberties."

Usual luck, had 25 quid each way on Madison De Berlais in the Gold Cup! Some hefty bets lost on Denman and shame about Exotic Dancer.

Children of that age in my opinion certainly do not need to be monitored to such a degree and be let to do what they want with regards to play/creativity, teaching of language and numbers is something that you have already done with him well.

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have been dropped from the team for Scotland's World Cup qualifier tonight after a breach of discipline, the Scottish Football Association confirmed today. It is understood the Rangers duo were involved in a drinking session at Scotland's Loch Lomond base after they returned from Saturday's 3–0 defeat by Holland in Amsterdam. When Scotland were 'semi good' in the 70's, players were allowed to go on the **** and go in rowing boat escapades, and not get in too much bother, bring back the good old days, it could not make us any worse.

Not including the un named 'etc etc', you do imagine a fairly disparate group of people having the biggest say in the country, in all probability it is unelected members of 'The Establishment' who have the biggest say in what actually happens in real life.

You will realise if you thought about it that in fact the posters here do represent the feeling of the country, ranging from our Socialist Workers Party poster to the slightly right of centre such as yourself, that is also what makes multi cultural Britain such a good place to live in.

There is a wee bit of a myth in the whole race being a 'lottery', granted the first 3 or 4 fences can provide difficulties with such a big field hurtling towards them and the best horses can inadvertently get brought down rather than fall. Also from the previous few years, there is not anything exactly mega priced(seeing as there is a field of 40, favourites will be around 8/1) that has won, and you can certainly narrow down the chances by concentrating on the stats notnowcato has provided. If Ruby Walsh was riding your horse it would be shorter odds for sure.

When I was briefly claiming my entitlement to state benefits, I did learn that there was no such word as wallor, either they are dole wallahs, or wallowing around on the dole. And my hair got regularly cut, I saved some of my dole money to keep a smart appearance. Viva la revolution......

That would be the Kinnock who paved the way for the eventual Labour victory in the general election, if you saw his speech denouncing Derek Hatton and Liverpool city concil for the way they ran the place, then you may see part of the person he actually was. Also it was Arthur Scargill and Mick McGahey, who were leaders of the NUM at the time who had the 'miners lay down their jobs', if that is how you would describe people who are fighting for the right to work and the right to have a community...and yes before you start, the miners were badly ley down by the NUM, who saw it as a chance to topple the Government, the same way the government saw it a chance to smash the union movement and pass various anti union laws, and use the police force as a weapon of state.

Ask the family of Jean Charles De Menezes(sp?) what they think of that idea, he did not even get to think once.

When there is no discernible difference between political parties and the country/world is beset with issues on many varied fronts, the gathering of such a group is a focal point for people to raise valid opposition to the current state of affairs, the French tried it quite successfully a while ago.

Some of the lazy workshy layabouts who attended the march at the weekend were...... The Put People First march was organised by a "rainbow alliance" of 150 trade unions, church groups and charities including ActionAid, Save the Children and Friends of the Earth. The theme was "jobs, justice and climate" and the message was aimed at the world leaders who will be gathering for the G20 summit here next week. People had come from all over the country to protest; organic farmer Jyoti Fernandes travelled from Somerset with her four children. "We are here to remind people that we have to look after our land and look after our food," she said.

That is probably due to Ruby Walsh confirming his ride, wouldn't be the price it is if not ridden by him and trained by Paul Nicholls, in my mind not a value bet. Black Apalachian or Butlers Cabin are my 2 choices.

A guide to all the declared runners..... http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/mar/30/grand-national-horse-racing-confirmed-runners

Cloudy Lane set to top the weights after the 5 day decs today, Donald McCain says winning 'unlikely' now, also Ruby Walsh will probably ride for Paul Nicholls on My Will rather than for his dad on Southern Vic, unless the rain comes.

Nothing to do with Italian cars or anything...did not know anything about this until someone pointed it out to me yesterday, but it is basically paper currencies as we know today, and seemingly doomed to failure as history has proved. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_currency Numerous other links on google pointing out the dangers of using such a system.

On the supermarket side of things, next month when I get back home, I am going to try and avoid shopping in supermarkets if possible, already I get most of my monthly meat and fish shopping from a website farmerschoice.net, delivered to the door, costs a little extra but better quality meat. So apart from buying veg etc at the local greengrocers and other bits and pieces from local shops, I think it may be possible. The idea that brought this on was visiting Tesco at Bursledon a few days ago, being in it kind of shocked me in a way in that it is geared up to sell everything in one place, but also led me to believe that when going there you invariably end up buying stuff you never needed or really wanted, you can go in to buy some veg and end up walking out with a 42" tv...however I still need to find somewhere online where I could buy alcohol on line if anyone knows any good sites. Also on the live seafood side of the discussion, I have seen on tv cooking programmes the most 'humane' way to kill seafood is to stick it in the freezer first.

Khan a shades odds on and Barrera best priced at 6/5, think I will have a bet on a Barrera KO at around 5/2.

Neither have you if you thought that was a classic race.

I was tempted to play up todays horse racing wins on Inter qualifying, but seeing as I thought Real may have beaten Liverpool last night, I gave it a miss, hope I am proved correct...

Had the sense from times long gone to just pick out a couple each day, had both of Ruby Walsh's first 2 to win, plus I thought an unlucky loser ew on Briareus, though he may not have stayed on for third anyway..plus the mad selections of the other half, she does not like to pick horses mostly under the odds of 25/1.......though to be fair she did pic Cooldine as well

Benitez was born in Madrid, grew up in Madrid and was schooled in Madrid. He went to university in Madrid, married in Madrid and did military service in Madrid, barely a hundred yards from the Santiago ­Bernabéu. He played and coached Real Madrid and lays claim to spotting Madrid's captain Raúl. He even commentated on football for Telemadrid. So, when Benítez reveals that "my childhood dream was to play for Madrid", it comes as no surprise; when he says his return to Madrid tonight will provoke few emotions, it is harder to believe him. The above is from today's Guardian, I take it he quite likes Madrid, and Ramos only has a contract to end of the season.........