Four months of fun

Been away from the blog for quite some time, owing to job and house moves, so a month-by-month synopsis of December through March will follow in this space shortly. Suffice it to say, it hasn't been the easiest of periods for the yard, with fitful form and the loss of most of Paul Beck's string, but at least Our Armageddon's Uttoxeter win and Larry McGrath finally riding out his claim have provided some highlights. MORE TO FOLLOW.

Shotgun on the cusp

Following the latest forfeit stage of the Grand National, Shotgun Willy is just the wrong side of the cut-off point for the maximum field, in position 42. Ross Comm and Spot Thedifference are set to carry the same weight as him, 10-5, but I think I'm right in saying he got drawn out before them.

With Ground Ball ultimately more likely to run over the Mildmay course than the big fences, especially is there is more rain, this leaves Richard Guest effectively looking for just one more defector in the next few days to get his charge a run.

Shannon's Pride in the Topham is his only intended runner during the first two days of the meeting, Our Armageddon presumably not sufficiently over his pre-Cheltenham setback as this has been his ultimate target for most of the season.