Will there be a local interest in the Grand National?
Ninety-eight horses have been entered for the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on April 11. Among them is Godsmejudge trained at Barbury Castle by Alan King.
Godsmejudge is a nine year-old gelding bred in Ireland and owned by Favourites Racing. He won the 2013 Scottish Grand National, but suffered when King's yard was affected by a virus later that year. He was pulled up in races in December 2013 and March 2014 and then scratched from the Grand National.
He came back to be second in the 2014 Scottish Grand National and third in the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown.
One expert has pointed out that Godsmejudge has excelled in races that can all be "seen as excellent trials for an Aintree Grand National."
Weights for the 2015 Grand National will be revealed on February 17 and the next scratching deadlines are on March 3 and March 24. Watch this space.
Just for the record: owner JP McManus has six horses entered for the race.