This has to be the first UEFA European Championships where the England National team really don’t look like they’ve got a chance. Not only do our old enemy, the Germans, look very strong, but as many people have no doubt said in the numerous football news-sites and blogs that populate the web at the moment, Spain look unbeatable.

However, England’s problems aren’t really down to better opposition, they’re more about the fact that many of our players (none of whom especially shone for the side) such as Gerrard, Lampard, Terry and Cole are simply past it and we don’t seem to have a strong helmsman at the oar of the team. Many people see Harry Redknapp as the answer, but even if the Tottenham man is the right face for the England job, he’s going to need some time rebuilding his team in his own image – there’s no way he’s going to be picking up exactly where Fabio Capello left off. So when you put all these facts together, you’ve got to say this is going to be a transitional year, which basically translates into we’re going to win nothing.

The Grand National is well up there with the top sporting events of any year’s calendar, such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the FA Cup final. However, there are plenty of other races put on every year, such as The Cheltenham Gold Cup, so why don’t these events garner the same attention and popularity as the big one at Aintree?

Well, reason one has to be the excitement. No horse racing spectacle quite carries the same danger factor, with some of the largest fences in the world featured in the 30 that are jumped on the big day. The four and a half mile course is one of the longest in horse racing and no other event quite seems to have that “anyone can win it” edge that’s kept so many favourites from winning the race and allowed some proper outside shots, such as Foinavon and Mon Mome to catch the big prize on the big day.

The Grand National is without question the greatest equestrian event on the planet, so why not make it that little bit more exciting with a flutter, most of the top bookies will be offering plenty of Grand National 2012 free bets and non runner no bet guarantees. It’s that once a year bet we all just have to take eh?

As the 2012 Grand National approaches there seems to be only one question in the air; can Ballabriggs do the impossible twice in a row? The 2011 winner is being trained by Donald McCain, the son of the famous Ginger McCain who took the legendary Red Rum to three National wins.

Some are saying it’s fate, some are saying it’s form, some are saying it’s simply not going to happen, but say whatever you like because whichever way you look at it this situation is adding a huge amount of tension and superstition around the big occasion.

The proof of the pudding is in the media, who’re producing articles on McCain and Ballabriggs on and almost daily basis to the point where no one will be surprised if the horse starts tweeting about what he’s eating in the stables. Everyone knows that there’s a lot that can happen over the four and a bit miles of the Grand National 2012 course, but what a happening it would be if Ballabriggs does walk away with his second consecutive trophy.

There are a couple of events going on this year that have really caught our attention. The first is the John Smith’s 2012 Grand National, which is always the jewel in the crown of the Hunt Racing calendar. Apparently this year’s field features one of the highest standards of runner as seen it recent years. Of course, you’ve no doubt heard all the surrounding the riders, the form and every detail down to how well each horse has been sleeping, but no matter how much information you’re given it’s still incredibly difficult to predict who with win the Grand National… and even harder to get your bets in the right place.

The second event we simply can’t wait for is the European 2012 Football Championships taking place in Poland and Ukraine. We’re keen to see if Spain can continue on their tremendous rush of International form and win their third competition in a row or if nearly-boys England can find another young superstar or old lion-heart to drag them to that first elusive win since 1966. The Grand National’s going to make a fine Spring Saturday, but you know if the games go right, then the Euros is the type of event you might even take the day off work for.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a duvet covered with an Italia 1990 cover, you’ll have noticed that Spain are now coming on strong as the international team to beat. They won the World Cup in some style against the Dutch two years ago and their returning now to the European Championships as the reigning champions and you’ve got to ask yourself “would you bet against them?”

Of course we can talk about the merits of the Dutch international side, who’ve got arguably the world’s best striker in Robin Van Persie. These guys are good, but their two midfield stars, Snieijer and Robben have failed to play regular first team football for their domestic sides. Germany are also well rated as hopefuls for the event, but we’ve seen very little from them in recent years. Finally, there’s good old England, however they seem to be a team of dying stars, such as Lampard and Terry, who they’re yet to find solid replacements for in the bunch of young players coming up through the ranks. We’re pretty sure that if you want to gamble, you’d be crazy to go against Spain.