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 10^th 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 3^rd 2010.

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 18^th 1995. He was buried at the winning post at the Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National.