DragonBet on-course bookmaker James Lovell gives the inside track on Welsh sport – what’s hot, what’s not, and who’s the talk of the betting ring.

I stand with the vegans. Ban the Grand National!

Well, that’s what my empty pockets are telling me, anyway.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think the protestors at Aintree last Saturday did themselves or the horses any favours and this year wasn’t a good advert for the sport as a whole.

Hopefully, improvements on safety and welfare for horses and jockeys will continue as they have been for a number of years.

But, I also feel it’s important to stand up for the industry and educate people about how much these animals are loved and cared for.

I’ll leave that to brighter minds than mine, though.

Back to the actual racing. Ever since I did my cobblers when Tiger Roll won the Grand National for the second time, I’ve never been that smitten with it and this year was even worse.

"I'm deeply sad – it's pretty upsetting to be honest with you."@LeglockLuke gives his views on Saturday's Grand National protests… pic.twitter.com/KVXml1CxeT

— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) April 18, 2023

There were a few big hitters playing on the DragonBet site over the Aintree festival and after a bad day on Thursday – which included several of the DragonBoosts winning, including a 6K loss over Banbridge, a 4k bet on Zenta and a 5k bet on Shiskin – we were behind the eight ball.

Friday was a decent recovery and Saturday was going smoothly until someone landed 2k on Corach Rambler at 17/2.

A wonderful win for Scottish horse racing. Less wonderful for a bookie in Wales.

I was watching the action unfold from Chepstow, where we sponsored the whole card.

It was a great day and I’m glad so many of you came along to enjoy it with us.

We’ll be doing some more events as the year goes on and I hope even more of you come along to meet us.

It’s a great chance for us to talk to you as punters and thank you as customers.

With the Grand National and Aintree done, it’s time for the Scottish National this weekend.

https://twitter.com/AintreeRaces/status/1647567083226677257?s=20

Kitty’s Light is the current fav and having spoken to the trainer, Christian Williams, at Chepstow, I would be confident (as is he) of a big run from the little horse.

Second in the race last year, he’s running off a 2lb lower mark and is coming off a great win last time out (which if you didn’t see it, was one of the rides of the season by Welsh jockey Jack Tudor.)

Far from Scotland, I’ll be standing in a muddy field in West Wales for a point-to-point at Lydstep near Tenby.

I doubt I’ll see any £5k bets there, but I might just see the next Jack Tudor or Christian Williams.

Wherever you are, pob lwc and have a good one.

Oh, and for anyone worrying about the health and wealth of this poor bookie, fear not.

The West Ham v Arsenal draw on Sunday was a dream result. Thank you, Hammers for a remarkable comeback.

I even celebrated with a nice steak dinner.

Have that, vegans!!

https://twitter.com/RacingPost/status/1647566758583336960?s=20