I will let the dust settle a little before commenting on a Cheltenham Festival that very much lived up to expectations.
The next big occasion over the jumps will of course be the Aintree Grand National meeting. The runner up at last year’s National, McKelvey has his last prep run over hurdles tomorrow in the Newcastle 3.55. It will be interesting to see how he goes but my tip for that race is Great Approach. He was 3rd to Ballyfitz at Haydock on his last outing and that horse went on to win at Cheltenham this week.
The Real Deal left previous chase form well behind when jumping like a bunny to win at Haydock last month. I am hoping that he can follow up in the 2.20 at Uttoxeter. Paul Nicholls saddles Michael Muck in the same race. He has disappointed since winning at Chepstow in October but now that he is reunited with Ruby Walsh he could be the one to give the selection most to do.
Uttoxeter stage their own "National" tomorrow, The Midlands version. Blue Splash is the only runner from our list to follow. He is yet to win over fences this season but has come down the weights a bit as a consequence. He has an each way chance.
In the 4.05 our list to follow is represented by Ouzbeck who is a course winner but may have too much weight.
ahorse 
My moneys on Slim Pickings. Ran a great race when finishing third in the 2007 National but may have just run out of stamina on the run in.
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