by ANNIE DALE It is estimated that about £250 million exchanged hands last year in bets on the Grand National. Given the hype surrounding the 2019 festival, it is expected that punters will invest even more in their “line of business”. The event kicks off on Thursday April 4 through to the Ladies Day on …[Read More]
WITH the Cheltenham Festival over, attention now turns to the Randox Health Grand National on April 6. The next scratchings stage for the great race is this Wednesday when the current entry list of 100 will be whittled down. The final 2019 Grand National runners will be confirmed on Thursday April 4 but until then …[Read More]
by ANNIE DALE Elegant Escape has the progressive profile of a Grand National winner – there’s no doubt about it. Already one of the best staying chasers in the business, he is still just seven years old and there is scope for further improvement. He has finished inside the top three in 13 of his …[Read More]
THE GRAND National has become a benefit for leading owner Trevor Hemmings. He has enjoyed three successes in the famous race and he has another serious contender in 2019 as he bids for an unprecedented fourth Aintree victory. The Horse is Lake View Lad. Hemmings’ three Randox Health Grand National victories have come courtesy of Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs …[Read More]
CHELTENHAM’S November meeting is gaining traction. It’s a bit of a mini Festival and increasing numbers of Irish visitors are hopping across the Channel for it. The BetVictor Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdles are the two features but one of my favourite races is the 3m 3f BetVictor Handicap Chase. This year could see the …[Read More]
by MACIEJ KUREK THERE aren’t many races in the horse racing calendar as well known as The Grand National. Throughout the year, there are some top events, such as Royal Ascot, but it’s The Grand National that appeals to all. This annual event sees everyone, not just horse racing fans, on the edge of their …[Read More]
CARL Llewellyn, assistant trainer to Nigel Twiston-Davies, is hopeful of a good performance from joint-favourite Blaklion (11st 9lb) in the £1-million Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. Sixty three entries remain for the world’s greatest and richest chase, staged over four and a quarter miles and 30 fences following Monday’s five-day confirmation stage. Blaklion, the …[Read More]
IT’S still a puzzle why the Grand National weights ceremony is held in London and not in Liverpool. So I afforded myself a quiet chuckle when I heard there was a power cut at the no-expense-spared “do” at the BAFTAs HQ in the West End. Before looking at the weights, those obsessed with finding the …[Read More]
IT’S National season. One For Arthur plundered the Grand National at Aintree, Our Duke sauntered to success in the Irish version and now Scotland is about to have its place in the sun. The 2017 Scottish National market is dominated, not unusually, by novice chasers. Premier Bond is the ante-post favourite following Monday’s latest entry …[Read More]
Pic: Liverpool Echo IT would be truly fitting, 40 years after one of sport’s most seminal moments, if a small northern yard was to triumph in Saturday’s 2017 Grand National. When Red Rum careered away from Churchtown Boy on Aintree’s punishing run-in, it sparked scenes of tumult that have rarely been witnessed since in racing, …[Read More]
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