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

Some professionals you see daily - your colleagues, for instance, or the man who mixes your cocktail. Others, like the butcher, weekly. Some you cross paths with once every six months, such as the dentist, while a tiny number are the subject of once-a-year interaction. Such as Father Christmas. And for a large group of people, the local bookmaker. Well people, that time is now, with the National imminent, and if you are one of those who keeps this old-fashioned relationship with your turf accountant, here’s a newsflash. You don’t need to go to a betting shop to place a bet, you can do it online. Here. And like puppies at Christmas, that relationship doesn’t have to be a temporary one, they’re open on the other 364 days too. Yes, they will take your money with outrageous nonchalance. But then doesn’t everyone nowadays?

If you’re still not sure where to place your money, go to chickendinner for