Hunter S. Thompson once wrote: “One thing I have learned in my painful career as a gambler, is that bragging when you get lucky and win a few games will plunge you into gloom and unacceptable beatings very soon. It happens every time.”

I certainly don’t want to bring any bad luck on myself like Thompson, and I hope readers don’t think I’m bragging when I mention last week’s success for this column in the Aintree Grand National, but I was over the moon when Corach Rambler and Vanillier, both tipped each way, came home first and second at 8/1 and 20/1 respectively.

The forecast, for anyone mad enough to do a bet like that in the National, paid 166/1. It was a much-needed boost to the betting coffers as the Flat season kicks into gear.

As I mentioned before, my record in the big race has been horrendous, my last winner being Mr Frisk in 1990 when I was 11 years of age, so if anything, I’m more relieved than boastful.

Outside of Cheltenham, it’s the race I get the most texts and calls about from friends looking for advice, so it was great to finally deliver in what I still consider a lottery. Having said that, Corach Rambler’s chances were there for all to see in the form book, and he was 10lbs “well-in” at the weights which helped.

Trainer Nicky Richards (left) at Leopardstown; he has a chance in the Scottish National with Famous Bridge at Ayr

Such horses (which are due to go up in the weights but are still racing off their old rating) are always worth a second look although I don’t see any in today’s Scottish Grand National (3.35 Ayr) so we’ll have to consider other angles as we try our best to keep the momentum going in the never-ending battle with the bookmakers.

At a quick glance, you can’t help being drawn to Monbeg Genius, which clocked up a hat-trick of wins before finishing third to Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time, but bookmakers are taking no chances at 9/2.

Another one which stands out is Kitty’s Light, which I backed in this last year (finished second), but once again the price is very short at 7/2 in a 23-runner field. So at 25/1, Famous Bridge gets the nod each-way for Nicky Richards under Brian Hughes. With just four races over fences, he’s relatively unexposed – but he did win his latest two including a handicap at Wetherby over three miles where he proved he has some stamina, and the step up in trip is likely to suit the seven-year-old.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle (2.25 Ayr) is a little different to other Champion Hurdles in that it’s a handicap – and with a rating of 146, I reckon Colonel Mustard is the one to side with here at 4/1.

Trained in Co Meath by Lorna Fowler, he hit 1/3 in running before finishing second in a Kelso handicap last month off 143, and he should have more to come with Kieren Buckley claiming 3lbs.

At Bangor, Taragrace catches the eye at 16/1 in the Kate Hinkins 40th Birthday Handicap Hurdle (2.15) under Charlie Maggs who claims 10lbs. It’s a while since Donald McCain’s mare won a race, but she was a good fourth in a handicap at Catterick, and might have some wiggle room here off a rating of 97.

We’ve Group Three Flat racing at Newbury where Mojo Star is worth a punt at 9/2 against the odds-on favourite Hurricane Lane in the John Porter Stakes (1.30), while in the Fillies’ Fred Darling Stakes (2.05) Remarquee makes appeal at 11/2 following an impressive debut win at Salisbury in September.

Frankel colt Chaldean deserves to be odds-on in the Greenham Stakes (2.40), but that short price makes others appealing each-way in an 11-runner field, and Charyn gets the vote at 14/1 having finished off last season with a Group Two win in France.