Ruby: Make mine a treble

I have been lucky enough to meet Sir Alex Ferguson on a few occasions. He is an absolute genius. The trouble is he wants to talk racing, while I am eager to talk football!

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There is a bit of banter in the weighing room with AP (McCoy) being a keen Arsenal fan. Their misfortunes have enabled Tony to concentrate on his riding even more than usual this season.

I have been immensely fortunate in the Grand National, having fallen only once — on Papillon when I was barged into by a loose horse. Luckily, I was able to remount and finish fourth behind Red Marauder in 2001.

The only time I have failed to finish was when I had to pull up Shotgun Willy at Becher's Brook second time around in 2003.

Other than that, I won on my father Ted's Papillon in 2000, my first ride. I was fourth on Kingsmark in 2002. I won on Hedgehunter in 2005 and came second on him last year. In 2004 I was injured with a broken wrist and missed the race.

I have been lucky to be riding good horses and I honestly believe that is the secret of getting round. You could argue that the fences are not as tough as they used to be, but there are always loose horses to worry about and 30 fences to negotiate.

I first walked the course with my father in 1989 when Little Polveir won. Everything looks huge when you are nine — but this was before the fences were modified and they were truly daunting. You need a horse who enjoys the challenge of these fences and, of course, the trip of four and a half miles.

Hedgehunter is up against it this year with top weight, and history suggests he won't win — but one day a top weight will buck the trend.

I always feel the most important thing is to give yourself and your horse some room. The worst thing is to get brought down or taken out by loose horses.

You know that, statistically, only half the field of 40 will finish, so there is always anxiety in the weighing room beforehand.

Magpies are my only superstition and I pray I don' t encounter one today. Tony Dobbin's superstition is never to leave the weighing room first, while Timmy Murphy always dons his right boot before the left one.

Who do I fancy today apart from Hedgehunter? Eurotrek, who I have ridden regularly, has a big chance, as do Kelami, L'Ami and Bothar Na.

If there is an outsider I could really fancy it is Thisthatandtother, who will be ridden by Sam Thomas.

He is a good horse who jumps well and the only doubt is whether he'll get the trip. I think he will.