SOFT-GROUND should not hinder my each-way selection for this afternoon's Grand National, the 25-1 shot Ferdy Murphy-trained Paddy's Return.

The days of really long-priced winners like Foinavon (100-1) seem all but gone now that the "lottery factor" has been eliminated by way of the reduction in the severity of Aintree's fences.

Barring a massive ante-post gamble, Paddy's Return looks like he will be about tenth in the betting pecking order, well behind the certain market leaders, last year's winner and runner-up Papillon and Mely Moss, both likely to start at around 8-1.

But the basis for tipping Paddy's Return is no overnight phenomenon, as those readers who have filed previous copies of Racing North will testify.

For it was in the 1999 jumping issue that Ferdy, a now dutifully adopted Dalesman based at West Witton, near Middleham, said: "There's another "big one" in this fellow. In time, he's going to be an ideal type for the Grand National."

The "big one" to which he refers, was the famous victory of Paddy's Return in the 1996 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a heroic success that unquestionably established the gelding as an individual with more than a touch of class, plus helped elevate Murphy into the premier division of National Hunt trainers.

Much water has passed under the bridge since then and Paddy's Return has continued to haunt the bookies, shrewdly switching between hurdles and fences to excellent effect.

He proved his stamina with a courageous third placing under top weight in the 2000 running of the four-mile Borders' National at Kelso, a race he might have won under a slightly more positive ride.

As for Paddy's Return's jockey, Adrian Maguire, he had this to say about having to desert stable-mate Addington Boy, upon whom he's twice finished in the first five. "It was a tough choice, but we feel "Paddy's" might cope better of the two with the conditions."

It never pays to be too dogmatic about contests like the National, thus a trio of each-way savers are recommended.

Firstly on Blowing Wind, Tony McCoy's choice out of a mind-boggling ten entries from the all-conquering Martin Pipe yard.

Twelve months ago the going was fast when the Irish raider Papillon outstayed Mely Moss. And although there's a ton more juice in the turf this time round, both act in the mud and therefore having proved their effectiveness over the unique course and distance, must be included in calculations.

Whatever the result, let's hope all of the brave contestants, riders and horses, return safe and sound. Good luck!