SCHADENFREUDE always comes across as such a negative emotion, yet when those whose misfortune the rest of us are allowed to make merry about belong to the bookmaking fraternity, it's not only acceptable, but almost compulsory.
As punters, we've grown accustomed to breaking out in a cold sweat when faced with the task of unravelling a big race so the layers shouldn't expect any sympathy over the fact Saturday's Scottish Grand National seems to have them bewitched, bothered
and bewildered.
Sorting out a market leader for the Ayr marathon is proving to be no easy task for the enemy with All In the Stars heading the list according to Totesport, Hills and the movers and shakers at Betfair. Ladbrokes prefer Ossmoses as their ante-post jolly however, while Skybet sit on the fence a little by hedging their bets between Ladalko and All In The Stars. While the latter approach might seem a trifle indecisive, it's positively positive thinking compared to Sean Graham who can't make up their minds between the last-named pair, Ossmoses, Halcon Genelardais and Idle Talk.
As for Coral, who knows what they think as the Barking firm have declined to issue any prices on the most valuable event ever run north of the Border. Thanks a bunch boys!
One man who will definitely have an opinion on this weekend's contest is Freddie Williams, and anyone who has ever wondered what makes Freddie tick should tune in to a special documentary on BBC 1 Scotland at 7pm this evening when all will be revealed.
None of which is getting us any nearer sorting out the second day of Newmarket's Craven meeting where Rocamadour is fancied to land the Earl Of Sefton Stakes and Baan the European Free Handicap.
At Beverley, our old friend Fusili is back in action and while Nick Littmoden's filly is in danger of becoming one of those equine sirens who lure unsuspecting eejits like me on to the racing rocks, she continues to run well and is taken to beat Mark Johnston's Soapy Danger.
Cheltenham's card should allow both Monkerhostin and Penzance the opportunity to end a season that hasn't quite lived up to expectations for either on a high note, and having followed Bee An Bee all term, we might as well go over the cliff with him one more time.
The nap Original Thought doesn't appear to have as much scope as some of those he faces in the long-distance hurdle, but one thing he does have in his favour is stamina and since that's a commodity not all of his rivals have shown they possess, Ben de Haan's gelding could go well at attractive odds.
• Pam Sly sent out Speciosa to take the Shadwell Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.
Having turned down some "obscene offers" from would-be buyers over the winter, the dream now moves on to next month's 1,000 Guineas after a success achieved despite the 9-1 winner taking a diagonal route from the two-furlong pole to the finish under Michael Fenton.
