THERE is no race that captures the imagination quite like the Aintree Grand National. It is a game-changer for winning connections, as a recent interview I had with Tommy Stack revealed.

In spite of twice being champion National Hunt jockey in England, it is still his Grand National victory on Red Rum that ranks as a career highlight. Okay, I can hear you say that his win was something special, being the third in the race for the greatest chaser around Liverpool, but I can also attest to the impact of the win from a personal perspective, my brother Brendan landing the spoils 29 years ago.