Haydock Park Blog

The majority of us will have been to a supermarket and tried a free sample of cheese or even a thimble full of new age wine. Why do we engage in this behaviour …? The perception is that we are gaining an ‘experience’ without losing (i.e. costing us); with the hope of persuading us to purchase. In an unprecedented move for a British spectator sport, 25 racecourses are using this promotional technique and offering the public the opportunity to take advantage of free admission throughout April. Is this the way to entice new visitors and broaden the appeal of horse racing?

A quick look at today's Grand National Trial contenders:

Silver By Nature is a front runner who improved in leaps and bounds last term, taking this corresponding race from a mark of 143. He put in a promising effort in the Welsh National last month and a bold bid is on the cards here.

Maidson du Berlais is without a win since taking the Aintree Bowl in 2009, often looking laboured. He is back in handicap off his lowest mark for a while, but still makes little appeal at present.

The Cheltenham showpiece; jumps racing's Blue Riband; the Gold Cup: whatever you call it, the feature on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival remains the most prestigious race at the most prestigious jumps meeting in the world. With six weeks to go until the big day, Timeform’s Keith Melrose takes a look at the main contenders.

The Peter Marsh has been won by some top chasers in the past, and though there might not be anything in the same class as dual winner Jodami in the field this time around, this year's renewal has a very competitive look to it. Simon Baker goes through the runners, and identifies one that looks to have slipped under the radar...