This Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr might not have the prestige, prize money or quite the class of Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National, but it nevertheless looks a fascinating contest, and one in which Sue Smith’s Himalayan Trail could go well at a decent price, writes Elliot Slater.
Now that connections of the mighty [...]
As a jockey, Irishman Dessie Hughes scaled the heights, winning the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Davy Lad and the Champion Hurdle two years later when partnering Monksfield to a famous success over Sea Pigeon. Now, more than 30 years on, Hughes has his best chance of winning the John Smith’s Grand National as the [...]
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In 171 years of Grand National history only one horse has managed to win the toughest steeple chase three times ~ the legendary, famed and infamous Red Rum. This remarkable jumper became an instant celebrity in horse racing circles after winning the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The 2010 Aintree Grand National might [...]
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When multi-millionaire racehorse owner Graham Wylie paid 200,000 guineas for Abbeybraney at public auction in November 2008, he bought the horse specifically with the John Smith’s Grand National in mind, writes Elliot Slater.
A classy performer in his native Ireland, Abbeybraney had only narrowly failed to beat the smart Notre Pere in a Grade 1 event [...]
When the John Smith’s Grand National weights were made public in mid-February trainer Mouse Morris’s reaction was one of barely disguised disgust and he made it clear that the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was a very doubtful runner, writes Elliot Slater.
I’m sure we have all said things in the heat of the moment that [...]
Niche Market’s chances at the Grand National are progressively improving and according to trainer Bob Buckler, he is a ‘model’ horse for the race. His running in the Newbury Aon Chase where he came second to Tricky Trickster has encouraged bookmakers to make him the obvious second favourite for the Aintree race, and at [...]
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Mouse Morris is not a happy camper these days especially as his main contender for the Grand National 2010, War of Attrition, was given a particularly high weighting of 11st 1lb on Tuesday by the official handicapper.
Morris has advised that he is “more than a bit baffled and very disappointed” with the allotted weight which [...]
The day we’ve all been waiting for since the entries were announced is finally here and yes, the weights have now been declared giving us all a better picture of the potential line up for the Grand National 2010 on April 10th.
There were some surprises, not least of which is the fact that three horses [...]
With the closing date for Grand National 2010 entries fast approaching, trainers are now having to make the tough decisions as to whether or not they plan to enter their horses into the big race which takes place on April 10th 2010 at Aintree.
Trainer Charlie Longsdon has already decided that Palypso De Creek will be [...]
Air Force One hasn’t raced competitively since April 2009, when he ran at Punchestown but trainer Charlie Mann has decided to take a chance on him for the 2010 Grand National following a positive and pleasing workout for Noel Fehily at Kempton.
The injury prone German eight year old has had several ups and downs in [...]
