The Grand National, Saturday, 4.15pm, BBC One, bet here

Monday morning - not the traditional moment for the week’s heavy lifting, but that hasn’t stopped film star and theatrical dream weaver Kevin Spacey fearlessly going for the jugular of one of the great threats to the nation’s integrity: reality television. Mr Spacey’s objection is to the BBC’s support of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Oliver” thing. “Where’s my thirteen week promotion?” he whines. “Come again?” tops the list of responses. But reality has lost its gloss: Celebrity Big Brother - appalling. The new American Idol - boring. I could go on, but an antidote is at hand: the Grand National. Forty horses, thirty fences, just jump over them and keep on running. No gimmickry, no cod psychology, no subtle undermining or poisonous cliques, and it has the best name for a sporting event ever devised, one that mankind will likely never improve on. To not participate financially in this activity is as close to an act of treachery as most citizens will ever come, so do your duty people. And reality television - freshen up. You need more galloping.

The statistics

* Every winner since 1970 has won over three miles prior to the race. In the past three months, favourite Cloudy Lane has won three straight races over three miles or more.

* Second favourite Comply or Die adopted blinkers in December - only one blinkered horse has won since 1975.

For more Grand National markets and betting information, head to chickendinner

Spoiler tip: The best deal I have found so far is through Betfair, who will give you a free matched £25 bet when you open an account.