Well it's nice to start things off with a positive result. Things can only go down from here! Clooney, pictured above receiving his Oscar, won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a CIA agent who finds himself at the centre of an oil conspiracy.

In the post-win interview Clooney was asked whether or not he thought the fact that he put on weight for the role helped his chances. The Academy have shown a preference for, as one reporter put it, thin actors getting fat for roles. If this is the case, then Clooney's gong is another positive statistic to put in the database for next year.

More tips? We've looking forward to 4 days of the best steeplechase and hurdle racing on the planet at Cheltenham (starting on 14th March) so watch this space.