Why sport's big guns still get in on the act

With the rich combination of football, racing, boxing, golf and rugby, this has to be the best few days of sport since the Sydney Olympics. When you think back to the high spirits in the country in those three weeks and contrast that with the mood of depression hanging over us now, it is a relief to know there are a few things we can get excited about between now and Monday morning.

Saturday afternoon at Aintree is an occasion when, for the only time in the year, I know that my friends (most of whom don't follow racing and never watch it on the TV) will be aware of where I am, what I am doing and might even show an interest in the outcome of the race. It is a great sensation to know that once in a while you can occupy a window that is open to all passers-by, not tinted so that only those with the right glasses can see through.

For those with a betting inclination, how about this for a Super Yankee: Mel as the gun wielding slayer of Phil, Liverpool to draw the first leg 1-1, Mely Moss to win the National, England to beat France by a minimum of 15 points and Mark Calcavecchia to win the US Masters.

That works out as 26 bets, so a 50p stake would cost you £13 and give you 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfolds and an accumlator. It's a bit of fun and if you do it with some friends you can put it down as a shared experience. We all need some of them and if you win, you will be able to afford a big enough party to cheer everyone up.

IARRIVED at Aintree yesterday to blue skies and a strong wind, security guards all over the place and the final touches being put to the biggest meeting of the National Hunt season. This winter has been the worst in living memory for the trainers, jockeys and owners who specialise in the jumping game and, while I was adamant that the Cheltenham Festival could not possibly go ahead in the current climate, I do empathise with all those who feel a sense of loss now that the meeting has gone.

However, we are in the fortunate situation that with the extra prize money being put into Aintree this week and Sandown at the end of the month, we can still make the most of it. The same cannot be said for the farmers who have lost their livelihoods.

Driving into Aintree involves a network of motorways and the sights include a drive-in McDonald's, an office works, a sports shop, a railway station and numerous garages.

There is not a farm to be seen and the nearest gathering of animals is at the safari park a few miles away.

It's as urban as a racecourse can get and therefore carries as much or least risk as Anfield or Goodison Park.

Despite that, the measures to prevent any potential spread of foot and mouth are stringent.

The hangover from the security alert here in 1997 remains, with police checks at every gate and bags being searched, which in fact has made the installation of the disinfection stations easier.

All cars will go through a deep puddle of disinfectant, while all those on foot will have to walk over a special mat to clean their shoes.

Every precaution is being taken and racing is ensuring it is behaving in the most responsible and sensitive manner possible.

I have no qualms about promoting the Martell Grand National, presenting the three days of racing on the TV and encouraging as many people as possible to support it.

Racing needs a lift like never before and with a false start and an evacuation in the space of the last eight years, the Grand National deserves to take its place once again as a focus of mass attention.

The build-up so far has been so low-key that people have asked me whether it is on at all.

It is and it will mean more to the racing fraternity than ever before, so if you've got the time on Saturday afternoon at about 3.45, make sure you're watching.

An ardent QPR supporter, Wright has also proved himself a highly astute businessman but he could now give lessons in how not to confuse business and pleasure.

Wright is in the unenviable situation of losing millions, the final figure depending on whether or not he can find a buyer for the football club willing to take on its debts.

It's not a pretty picture, whichever way you look at it. Wright's affection for the club prevents him from selling out to a housing developer and he insists any potential buyer must be committed to the future of the club.

One of the mistakes Wright freely admits to was the decision to float QPR on the stock market.

"Football clubs should not be on the Stock Exchange, apart from Manchester United," he said.

Wright's opinion is built on the hard rocks of experience.