What's the best named selection for Aintree on Saturday?
So, what will you be backing in the big Aintree race on Saturday - will you be swayed by the name of a horse?
Something with Red in the name is always popular and there have been some famous Red winners of the big race.
We have had Red Rum (three times), Red Alligator, Red Marauder and the one that was the most memorable (not a red) was Foinavon in 1967.
The 100/1 outsider Foinavon actually ran his first race at Dundalk and won his first race at Naas with Paddy Woods on board, but by the time of the National win in 1967 had left Tom Dreaper's and was trained in England by John Kempton.
However, a recent survey (in the UK) showed this (name of horse) is a popular way of making a selection.
The survey commissioned by FreeBetting.co.uk found that when backing a horse just because of its name the highest amount respondents had won from a single bet was £32.17 on average. That was a higher return than for bets placed based on jersey colour (£21.15), name of the jockey (£24.67) or selecting a horse at random (£28.82).
The survey also revealed that 50 per cent of casual punters usually select a horse just based on what it’s called.
Additional methods commonly used by punters included the number of the horse having personal significance or indeed the good looks of the jockey.
If you want to back a Red on Saturday you have two choices
CAPTAIN REDBEARD or (in translation) VIEUX LION ROUGE.
If you are looking for good omens - Noel Meade's (just made it in as first reserve) Road To Riches.
Other names that might appeal include
For all my friends - Pleasant Company
For those of you old enough to remember the UK band Smokie - Seeyouatmidnight
For our elected representatives - Perfect Candidate.
For Cavan people - Blacklion.
For the people who love shopping - Buywise.
For Louth punters - Carlingford Lough.
Some of the more unusual names of winners are listed
Early Mist - (1953),
Mr. What - (1958),
Oxo - (1959),
Highland Wedding - (1969),
Gay Trip - (1970),
Hallo Dandy - (1984),
Mr Frisk - (1990),
Royal Athlete - (1995),
Bobbyjo - (1999),
Papillon - (2000),
Comply or Die - (2008),
Don't Push It - (2010),
Rule The World - (2016)