Grand National Fury

Sat, Jul 25, 2009

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The Grand National, held every year at Aintree racecourse in Merseyside, has to be one of the most exciting sporting events of all. Each year it attracts some 16 million viewers and remains the most popular sporting event on which stakes are placed.

Each year 40 horses present themselves to run the four and a half mile race consisting of 30 fences and a week prior all odds are made available. Even those who do not claim to be seasoned bettors will have a go at picking out a winner in the hope of backing the winning horse. Because the Grand National is such an open race the winning place is as good as anyone’s.

Although there are always favourites in the race there is always the hope that an outsider will claim the victory with outstanding long shot odds. 2009 saw this very hope become a reality as 100/1 horse Mon Mome came in to take the Grand National title. The most popular way of betting is to place a stake each-way on a horse which means that you can make a return for you money if your chosen horse comes in first, second, third of even fourth.

The Grand National 2010 will take place at Aintree on Saturday April 10th and already looks set to be another exciting event. All eyes will be clearly on reigning champion Mon Mome and second place winner Comply or Die, who won the race in 2008. Despite much anticipation to discover which horses will be running, many racing fanatics are already making their assumptions. The runners List will be made available complete with odds on April 3rd 2010.

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Grand National 2010

Tue, Jul 7, 2009

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The Grand National 2010 will take place on Saturday 10th April where another 40 horses will line up to run England’s most prestigious race held at the Aintree course. Without doubt the Grand National is one of the world’s greatest if not most exciting events an arguably the toughest test of both horse and jockey there is.

Each year 40 horses set out to race the famous course of four and a half miles with 30 fence jumps and after successful completion the winner is revealed. The nature of the Grand National race is a difficult one and any horse is prone to fall at one of the fences. Backing a favourite does not guarantee a win but backing a long shot that comes in first has much greater dividends.

Last year 100/1 horse Mon Mome came in to take the winners title beating several favourites who managed to stay in the race for the duration of its course. Because there is no sure way to back a winner serious gamblers never place large stacks but the average better will participate in the minimum of a pound each way. Perhaps it is the name of the horse that appeals or the colours of the shirt worn by the jockey, either way the Grand National sparks off an enormous amount of fun.

2010 is expected to be yet another exciting race and several known favourites are sure to be running. Will 2010 see another long shot win the Grand National or will all eyes be focused on a clear favourite? Whatever the outcome you can be sure the Grand National will remain one of the most open races in the sport.

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Grand National Legend Red Rum

Mon, Jun 22, 2009

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Red Rum will remain deep in the affection of the British Public when it comes to remembering Grand National winners. As the only ever three time Grand National winner red Rum will always be one of the most loved and best racehorses of all time.

Born in 1965 in Ireland Red Rum was purchased for Noel Le mar by legendary agent Donald Ginger McCain. Despite a debilitating bone disease in his foot many trainer would have disregarded such a horse but Ginger McCain saw this as a mere obstacle which needed to be overcome. Red Rum was consequently trained in the sand and shallow waters of Southport and was able to overcome his disability and become a world class racehorse.

Although Rummie had a flat racing pedigree his racing talent shone through particularly in steeplechases and in 1973 he took his first Grand National title. The following year he won the Grand National for a second time becoming a true champion who would touch the heart of millions of racing fans.

In both 1975 and 1976 Red Rum lost out to the winning title but came in a respectable second place in both Grand National races. But at 12 years old he won the Grand National for the third time in 1977 surprising fans around the world as he came in some 25 lengths ahead of the nearest horse. This great achievement is known as one of the greatest moment in horse racing history.

Red Rum retired from racing in 1978 after suffering a hairline fracture in a heel and sadly died October 18th 1995. He was buried at the winning post at the Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National.

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2009 Grand National Winner

Wed, Jun 10, 2009

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The winner of the 2009 Grand National was Mon Mome coming in with odds of 100-1 and becoming the first horse with such long shot odds to win since Foinavon’s lucky win in 1967. Mon mome, meaning Our Kid was jockeyed by Liam Treadwell who had no notable wins prior to this his first ever Grand National.

The victorious horse was trained by Venetia Williams who became the second female trainer to win a Grand National. Previous winning horses trained by Williams include winners of the 1998 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and King George Chase, the 1999 Murphy’s Gold Cup and the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Regarding the Grand National Venetia Williams trained 13 runners and her best finish as trainer prior to her 2009 win with Mon Mome was tenth place in 2008 with the very same horse.

The 2009 Grand National had an exciting finish as with just two fences left before the finish Mon Mome was battling it out with former Grand National winner Comply Or Die. Fortunately carrying a good six pounds less in weight Mon Mome was in good stead to take the lead to the finishing post. Should lady luck not have favoured long shot horse Mon Mome, then rival Comply or Die would have made his second win and become the first horse to do so in the Grand National since the famous three times champion Red Rum. Mon Mome was well positioned from the start and was the surprise winner of the 2009 Grand National by far.

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2010 Grand National Winners

Sat, May 30, 2009

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No sooner had the 2009 Grand National winner been declared and punters were already on the lookout for predictions and tips for 2010. Although it will not be declared until January 2010 which horses will be considered for the Grand National, it will not be until April 3rd 2010 when the final 40 of the 100 horses entered will be named.

However even now some horses are already being considered to run and amongst them or some well known faces such as last year’s winner Mon Mome, State of Play, Big Fella Thanks, Black Apalachi, Comply Or Die, My Will and Butlers Cabin.

All tips for the 2010 Grand National will be made available as soon as all the running horses are declared. Until then, despite some bookmakers already taking ante-post bets, it is highly recommended that punters hold off placing any kind of bets until it is certain their chosen horses are even racing. If it turns out the horse you staked your cash on does not run then you immediately lose it all.

The safest way is to wait nearer the time of the event, which is set for Saturday April 10th. Once a list of the 40 running horse becomes available better odds will be put together. The best chance of getting back some kind of return for your Grand National flutters is to place your money ‘each-way’ on a horse. This means that you will be guaranteed a payout should you horse come in first, second third or even fourth.

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Grand National Winners

Thu, May 7, 2009

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Without a doubt the most famous Grand National winner is Red Rum who won this world famous race 3 times over. The first win was in 1973 with jockey Brain Fletcher in the saddle and history repeated itself the following year of 1974 again with Fletcher taking the reins. Red Rum became the winner for the third time in 1977, this time with jockey Tommy Stack, and become the first ever horse to cap 3 Grand National wins.

2005 winner Hedgehunter became the first horse in 17 years to carryover 11st to victory with jockey Ruby Walsh taking the seat. Despite almost making a debut win the previous year 2004, Hedgehunter fell at the final fence and Amberleigh House went on to win.

Comply or Die, won the Grand National in 2008 but finished runner up in 2009 to Mon Mome, a long shot with odds of 100/1. Mon Mome was steered to victory by jockey Liam Tread and was the first 100/1 shot to win the Grand National since Foinavon’s lucky win in 1967 at the world famous Aintree course. Foinavon had a truly lucky win indeed which came as a result of a loose horse causing a pile up at a fence, giving Foinavon a clear run to the finishing line.

Other Grand National winners include Silver Birch in 2007, Numbersixvalverde in 2006 with odds at 33/1, 2003 winner Monty’s Pass, Bindaree in 2002, Red Marauder in 2001 and millennium winner Papillon in 2000.

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