With Mike Parsons

Of course, I am referring to having a flutter on the horses. Having a bet on the Grand National, whether it be through a visit to the bookies, paying online or via a sweep, is almost an unwritten law for many.

One-off chancers like me with no detailed background knowledge of the runners, jockeys and trainers, suddenly believe they have what it takes to pick the horse that will be first to jump the 30 fences and complete the four-and-a-half mile Aintree course.

I at least attempt to study form guides before putting my hardearned £2 on a horse whose name I like, and I feel sure most other annual punters go about things in much the same way.

But why do we do it? What is the attraction surrounding this race that makes people like me dig into the pocket for cash but not do the same for the Derby at Epsom or the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

It can't be for the thrill of picking the winner - otherwise the occasional backers would gamble all year round, and I certainly don't. Becoming sucked into all of the media hype probably plays a part for some but not as much as tradition.

One of my earliest childhood memories was when I was five years old, taking part in a family sweep and being told 'how jammy I was' to have pulled out of the hat the name of Red Rum, who had gained his first win in 1973 and was glorious again that year, 1974.

As a family, we picked horses every year and watched every gruelling minute of the races on television. I know of other families that did and still do the same, because it is traditional.

But more than anything else, I think it is the sense of occasion and the rollercoaster ride of emotions that pulls in the vast amount of attention and causes many to scream and shout at the tv 'Go on, son - you can do it, keep going!'

For the armchair spectators like me, horse racing's biggest day of the year is a journey that fills us with excitement at the prospect of winning, wonder for the courage of the runners and riders, pain for the defeat and injuries, and there always seems to be a heartfelt story behind the winning combination too.

By putting a few bob on the race, it helps us to be a part of that unrivalled 10-minute ride of ups and downs, physically and mentally - and we become as passionate as if we had spent 12 months training for the event ourselves.

I think it must just be human nature to want to feel a part of something that is going on.