Red Marauder Wins 2001 Grand National at 33/1

Red Marauder trounced a clutter of 39 other contenders to achieve a perfect Grand National title at Aintree Racecourse, against a myriad of unprecedented setbacks. The debonair galloper inked a truly laudable record by beating a handful of other better-known horses enrolled for the momentous sporting duel.

All these historical developments unfolded on Saturday, 7 April 2001…an uncharacteristically eventful day chiefly marked by a lot of noteworthy firsts and feats. Also referred to as the Martell Grand National in honour of the main sponsors of the great international championship, the exceedingly memorable gathering attracted a huge deal of negative hullabaloo from diverse formal and informal quarters.

2001’s was actually the 154th official staging of the annual equestrian derby customarily held at the traditional Liverpool’s Aintree horseracing arena. Only a 33/1 shot, the surprising champion won the tourney by a ‘distance’.

Ridden by the renowned Richard Guest, the top horse indeed proved quite capable of doing a great job – a praiseworthy achievement sealed in a timing of slightly more than 11 minutes. Coincidentally, this also happened to be the inaugural season for a jockey-cum-trainer to win a Grand National title.

In the above-mentioned respect, it was an authentic double-honour for the hardworking jockey and trainer. Owned by Norman Mason, the latter accepted to the internationally acknowledged fact that Guest was a truly gifted equine gaming star. Meticulously coached for a long, painstaking four to five years, the favourite pick spent earlier ages receiving expert sports lessons for the calculative rider, who would later use him to earn unprecedented National accolades.

Richard Guest, going by the formal details provided in the official license for the victorious mount, was formally described as the assistant proprietor of the County Durham’s Crook – the very humble stable and equestrian enterprise proudly owned the fledgeling winner. Guest’s unmistakable riding zeal was embodied in his unique colour selections of three azure hoops on the sleeves, all stylishly finished off with a blue-and-red decorated cap.

Although the year’s tussle drew the usual maximum of 40 competitors, only a surprising two completed the designated track. Two extra horses were however later re-mounted for a somehow ceremonious completion of the remaining part of the formal circuit.

All the same, this last-minute effort didn’t succeed in undoing the well-noted truth that they year’s episode was marred by a wide range of mid-course mishaps. Even local and worldwide journalists covering the important occasion were quick to recognize the aforementioned fact.

The Canal Turn proved to be the most jinxed spots that largely significantly fateful day – with a total of eight near-mortal mishaps. Shortly after the event’s start, top commentators from around the globe took to various publicity platforms to criticize what they termed as largely unsafe weather conditions for a worldwide gaming fete. Even the meet’s official organizers couldn’t refute the allegations that the racetrack was just too soggy for jockeys and their unfortunate mounts.

In a somewhat opposing rejoinder, some unflinching members of the officiating crew maintained that the purportedly ill-navigable ground in effect provided a cushioning softness…and, hence, the equally conspicuous complete absence of any fatalities that day. According to them, critics sounded ‘deliberately ungrateful’ to the evidently providential climatic gift kind Nature had offered on the said ‘fortunate turn’.


In addition to the controversies detailed hereinabove, the 2001 National edition ran smack against the longstanding rebuttals that the yearly competition is essentially determined by mere luck than real skill. No wonder, with just four out of forty completing the established distance, Red Marauder and Richard Guest barely eclipsed Smarty and his comparatively less lucky mount by a sheer ‘distance’…with the third and the fourth ranks going to Blowing Wind and Papillon respectively. 

The winning runner pocketed the £290,000 jackpot, having been left in what was universally referred to as an ‘eerie isolation’ – with a clear-cut head-start enough to clinch the epic prize. In some way depicting the soggiest ground conditions under which the luckless scuffle was executed, Richard Guest termed the scarcely navigable Aintree turf as the ‘worst circumstances’ in which he’d trodden in his rich racing career.

Last, of all, the 2001 Martell Grand National made history as the only race in which all the successful finishers won a tidy monetary award. While previous money earners had to struggle to beat a bunch of sterling gallopers and their proficient guides, it was a stark contrast that time around…you only needed to cover the preset track circuit to take home an honourable name and glittering cash reward!

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Bindaree Wins 2002 Grand National for Nigel Twiston-Davies

Critics were thrown into momentary silence as Bindaree displayed a really stunning performance at Aintree; swiftly jumping out of an earlier lacklustre position, and assuming and maintaining an illustrious lead till he crossed the ultimate finishing line in the 2002 Grand National. Beating a would-be first-time winner – What’s Up Boys – the brave sprinter walloped an entire field of longstanding champs to come out as the fastest runner and overall hero of that amazing April weekend. 

Ingeniously piloted by Cheltenham’s universally recognized Jim Culloty, the award-winning creature astounded the unbelieving Liverpool crowds as he boldly careered his way into the final stretch, shaking off a string of unyielding competition from the 2nd-ranking contester – Richard Johnson. 

Well beyond any tinge of doubt, the unfaltering gelding seemed to have entered the ageless English battleground with a pre-calculated dashing blueprint that evidently took aback all closest challengers…as gradual expressions of stark amazement could be seen creeping on the completely surprised faces of many a watcher, while the tough-fighting Culloty continued to steadily wear down all leading racers to a one-and-three-quarter winning distance. 

The epoch-making showdown’s third place went to the enduring sprinting icon Tony McCoy; a seemingly luck-eluded equine-sporting maverick whom top honours had appeared serially dodge over the preceding decades. The tellingly title-hungry McCoy hadn’t recently won and wasn’t going to win top-slot National honours in that Culloty-dominated National edition. 

And all these little disappointments befell the admittedly finessed rider due to no discernible faults of his own. Fate alone might have tilted odds against him – for he’d previously had an especially successful gaming record – frequently dotted by a superfluity of bold manoeuvres…indeed uncommon racetrack firsts, not only in modestly great Grand National performances but also in a string of several other lower-ranking gaming derbies, in England and Ireland and far-flung foreign racing turfs. 

The frequent pundits-tipped riding star had actually been tipped to dominate the day’s packed field a few months earlier, but then a huge deal of this massive optimism dwindled distinctly toward the eventual year-after-year clash. A sizable number of McCoy’s diehard fans began to sense that the renowned ace was beginning to somehow give in to either fatigue or some kind of public pressure…and we all appreciate that sort of unexplained ‘block’ that curtails a natural giant’s best. 

And, in short, it’s that wave of feeling too inadequate for the looming task ahead that ruined that talented competitor – bit by bit throwing him slightly out of balance, as he fruitlessly struggled to meet the manifold stack of tall expectations piled on his unsure shoulders by the blindly adoring multitudes far and wide. And so, the story at hand and the remaining details herein unfolding are centred on the arguably fluking Jim Culloty – and not as much on the really extensively loved McCoy - as it all might have otherwise been… 

Perhaps to observe a healthy break from the preceding tales of the palpable racetrack heat that characterized the extraordinary international event, the 2002 annual edition run as the 154th Martell Grand National. This unique formal reference was long adopted as a way of according lasting corporate honours to the fortunate benefactors under whose mainstream funding the year’s showdown takes place.

And, as has been the changeless custom, the significant steeplechase was staged at the predictable Aintree Racecourse within Liverpool’s calm spring environs, on 6 April 2002. 

The 8-year-old Bindaree was owned by the Irish man of modest equestrian rearing ambitions known as Raymond Mould. Furthermore, the lucky 20-1 shot had been trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies in Naunton; at the not-very-well-known Grange Hill Farm, situated some snugly miles deeper within Gloucestershire’s innermost neighbourhoods. 

Elsewhere, the breeder of the colourful occasion’s most impressive horse was one virtually unknown Noel King – another Northern Ireland’s man of fine equine-handling talents…whom cheerful Providence chose to bless with some token of worldwide recognition, almost as if to grant the middling breeder at least a worthy modicum of fame to motivate him into pursuing greater glories of a similar kind in later horseracing waterloos. 

As is the continuing norm, the year’s contest featured the regular field of 40 runners. Despite the considerable number of formally cleared contestants, only a paltry 11 of these completed the traditional Aintree circuit – the rest fizzling out after meeting unforeseen misadventures or such other immobilizing mishaps. In the end, the initially modest field ultimately fell off to about ten patently persistent horsemen, all perspiring rather defiantly atop their likewise tenacious mounts.

In the course of the intense chase, some 9 horses succumbed to immobilizing accidents within the first fence. Also, two deaths occurred as the remaining 29 horses tackled the rest of the treacherously winding circuit – The Last Fling (2nd Canal Turn) and Manx Magic (20th fence). 

The monumental tussle was captured live on BBC One and on their rival media station ITV1. The latter was however badly beaten by their longstanding nemesis in terms of locally and globally estimated viewership numbers – 8.6 million against 300,000 watchers! 

Unlike many other past National versions, whereby an obviously well-known face would emerge out of the crowds to acknowledge public kudos and give the habitual press remarks, things proved strangely different that time around. 

To be more specific, there was a stark uniqueness seeing visibly agitated sports newspaper writers and camera-toting scribes meet an obscure fellow coyly coming out of the main house at the practically shadowy Grange Hill Farm… an unfamiliar gentleman of a confident, unassuming composure who shortly said he was Nigel Twiston-Davies – the proud horse-breeding fan who had for many patient years diligently trained the just-crowned Martell Grand National conqueror - Bindaree! 

The publicity-shy instant hero confided that Grange Hill’s eternally horse-loving community hadn’t been minting any really juicy fiscal returns previously. He nevertheless admitted that the little establishment would no doubt look finer, now that one of their superb products had brought the small harem immense glory about an hour before. 

It was also an essentially rapturous moment for Bindaree’s happy owner, Raymond Mould. Reminiscing over his sorrowful parting with his late wife (Jenny) two years earlier – who had succumbed to cancer back in 2000 - the wryly smiling horseman lacked much to say. He, however, didn’t fail to promote the larger game-loving world many other bigger racecourse milestones in future equestrian steeplechases, away and at home.

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Did Jenny Pitman Train Two Horses to Win the Grand National?

OTD 1975 Trainer Jenny Pitman gained her first win under rules when Bonidon won a selling race @SouthwellRacing. First woman trainer to win the Grand National; Corbiere in 1983 & won the race again in 1995 with Royal Athlete. Won Cheltenham Gold Cup x 2🏇#TopTrainer #WomenInSport pic.twitter.com/QKO2czIv5j

— Mike Wass (@MikeWass2) August 25, 2020

Jenny Pitman is a legendary horse trainer in the world of horse racing. She was the first woman to train a Grand National winner and has trained several other successful horses over the course of her career. Two of her most notable Grand National winners were Cobiere and Royal Athlete. In this essay, we will examine the careers of these two horses and their impact on Jenny Pitman's legacy as a trainer.

Cobiere was a bay gelding that was trained by Jenny Pitman and owned by the Burrough's family. He was best known for his win in the 1983 Grand National, where he finished the race in a time of 9 minutes and 47 seconds. Cobiere's win in the Grand National was a significant achievement for Jenny Pitman, as she became the first woman to train a winner of the race. Cobiere was a popular horse with racing fans and was widely regarded as one of the best horses of his generation.

Royal Athlete was another of Jenny Pitman's Grand National winners. He was a bay gelding that was owned by the G & L Johnson and trained by Jenny Pitman. Royal Athlete was best known for his win in the 1995 Grand National, where he finished the race in a time of 9 minutes and 4 seconds. Royal Athlete's win in the Grand National was a testament to Jenny Pitman's skills as a trainer, and it cemented her place as one of the top trainers in the sport.

Both Cobiere and Royal Athlete were highly successful horses and their wins in the Grand National had a significant impact on Jenny Pitman's legacy as a trainer. Jenny Pitman was widely regarded as one of the top trainers in the sport, and her wins in the Grand National only served to further solidify her reputation. The two horses were popular with racing fans and were widely regarded as some of the best horses of their generation.

In addition to their success in the Grand National, both Cobiere and Royal Athlete were also successful in other races. Cobiere won several races, including the Welsh National, while Royal Athlete won several important races, including the Hennessy Gold Cup. Their success in these races further demonstrated their talent and versatility as racehorses, and it solidified their place in the annals of horse racing history.

In conclusion, Jenny Pitman is a legendary horse trainer who has trained several successful horses over the course of her career. Two of her most notable Grand National winners were Cobiere and Royal Athlete, who both won the race in the 1980s & 1990s. These two horses had a significant impact on Jenny Pitman's legacy as a trainer, and they are widely regarded as two of the best horses of their generation. Their wins in the Grand National and other important races further demonstrate their talent and versatility as racehorses, and they cement their place in the annals of horse racing history.

Beginners Guide to Betting the Grand National

The Grand National is one of those races that doesn't need an introduction. Taking place at Aintree, Liverpool it is the world's most famous steeplechase. It is viewed by millions of racing fans who keep coming back for more. 

What makes the Grand National different from many horse races is that the whole family love to bet. Everyone sits around the box (TV) in the corner ready for the race to begin. This year, our household will be like so many across the UK. Checking the colour of their horse, remembering its name and, of course, taking note of the betting odds. 

I'm sure you are like me, calculating the winnings before the first fence has been jumped.

(In fact, even before the race has started.) 

That reminds me, set the reminder on your phone for 5:15 pm, Aintree, Saturday, 6th April 2019. 

Get seated. A nice cup of tea and a couple of biscuits to mop up any spillage from your saucer as the excitement builds. Now here's the important part. The Beginners Guide to Betting on the Grand National. Here you can bet on the Grand National and claim a free bet. It's important because so many bookmakers want you to bet with them so you can receive bigger odds or bonuses by shopping around. 

Let's take a quick review of the betting for the 2019 Grand National. The likely favourite is Tiger Roll who won the Grand National in 2018. Could this horse be another Red Rum who won three times in the 1970s? Only time will tell, but he's here with a favourite's chance. Tiger Roll could be worth a bet at 10/1. 

Other fancies include Rathvinden, who is in good form after winning comfortably on his return to racing at Fairyhouse in February. Bookies have this bay gelding, trained by Irishman Willie Mullins, priced 12/1. You have to go back to 2005 when Hedgehunter won for the stable. A long time between drinks! 

A horse which may go well at speculative odds is Elegant Escape. This seven-year-old may be a touch immature for a race of this stature. His trainer, Colin Tizzard, is still looking forward to his first National winner. On the plus side, this rare talent has won the Welsh National, which is often a good indicator of a horse's chance, and he's earmarked as a possible Gold Cup winner.

Anibale Fly finished fourth in last year's National. Can Tony Martin's charge defy the weights after that sparkling effort? This gelding is owned by legendary punter J P McManus who won with Don't Push It (2010), the year Tony McCoy finally won got the monkey off his back to taste victory in the getting steeplechase of them all. 

Whichever horse you bet, lady luck can decide your fate. The likes of Foinavon, who won at odds of 100/1 in 1967. His owner gave him so little chance he went to a different racecourse to watch a different horse! For those betting for the first time, here are a few pointers. Even though it doesn't seem very scientific you may get lucky by following a favourite name, colour or number. Remember there are 40 runners! (In case you have a penchant for the number 53). The betting odds are often shortened toward the start of the race, so take a price when placing your bet. Simply say: ''Can I take the price, please!'' and you are likely to see the benefit come to the starting price (SP). 

Other than that, please, if you are sitting next to your old gran and her horse hits the front, watch out for that boiling cup of tea. 

Good luck.

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution 

Grand National Winner Don't Push It 2010

Very few race fans were actually surprised to see Tony McCoy easily win the 2010 Grand National atop the talented Don’t Push It. Even though Denis O’Regan’s fruitlessly pursuing Black Apalachi had kept a better position in the preliminary lengths, this long-distinguished jockey maintained a covertly close chase every inch of the way. Finally, as the pair bolted breathlessly closer to the winning line, McCoy unbelievably galvanized his strong-willed mount to a jubilant finish! 

The relief showed on the cheerful hero’s face simply told it all…The veteran jockey couldn’t mask his excitement as thousands of race fans cheered their congratulations on the densely populated sidelines. Whereas the ferociously tussling pair had appeared equally capable of winning a few moments before, it was indeed an exponentially amazing spectacle for the consummate champion to astonishingly manage a five-length difference. 

State of Play was lucky enough to earn a definitely estimable third place, effectively hot on the heels of the two giants who galloped ahead. Paul Moloney, despite his having fallen short of the top prize, had again enjoyed a not-so-bad finish, scooping a relatively modest £98,235. The fourth and the fifth position were claimed by the Barry Geraghty/ Big Fella Thanks and Sam Twiston-Davies /Hello Bud, in that exact order. The sensibly hard-fighting twosome ultimately pocketed a worthy £49,117 and £24,605 respectively. 

It was a tremendously lucky round for the notorious gambler JP McManus, who had for many past years looked forward to a tiptop Aintree exploit, repeatedly without any strictly notable success unlike when online gambling, up to that epochal sporting season when fortune’s tables turn to his absolute favor. Lastly, McManus apparently quenched his oft-confessed craved desire for a tiptop Aintree performance that he had been so fruitlessly pursuing in numerous other Grand National meets for well over a decade or so before. 

There was also the modestly trying Nina Carbery, laboriously steering the energetic Character Building, probably in the wild hope of somehow writing history as the first-ever female rider to win the Grand National. She didn’t achieve her goal, in the end. Finishing a distant 7th position, and thus slightly outrun by the sixth-ranking Snowy Morning, the hard-working jockey perhaps merely ended up giving herself an only slightly motivating reason to give the same cut-throat chase a more vigorous stab in the coming years! 

Also dismally trailing the foremost pack was the previous year’s winner - Mon Mome – who would have seemingly pulled off some remarkable record, were it not for a 26th-fence misfortune that saw the commendably spirited horse suffer an abrupt fall…a rather momentum-curtailing slip-up that instantly favored faster-sprinting gallopers obliviously dashing past the luckless contestant. Otherwise, the great contender’s earlier looked excellent enough to grant them some glittering award at any rate. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t have been anything really as glamorous as the enviable jackpot of £521,052 that the unbeaten McCoy proudly carried home.

In addition, the openly ecstatic McCoy confessed that he was being a real big ‘wuss’… He subsequently admitted that the just-attained milestone was a well-timed breakthrough. Arguably one of the very finest jockeys in the world, he averred that his not having enjoyed a resounding Aintree conquest would have enormously tainted his otherwise colorful CV in the main. And this actually sounds convincingly a spot-on assertion for the vastly celebrated jockey who has formerly bagged dozens other high-profile trophies in likewise noteworthy races.

Incalculably encouraged by the great performance, the widely revered racing icon expressed delight that his mother and father would consequently feel highly elated like  visiting https://www.gambling360.com/casino-games/ by his new Grand National milestone that seemed unlikely to happen after so many attempts. Again, McCoy was as well overjoyed that his darling wife, Chanelle, and his two-and-a-half-old daughter (Eve) would be evenly thrilled by the same inimitable attainment. 

Still excited by the historic colorful finish, the rapturous winner chest-thumped that he hoped his little daughter would grow up fully reassured of her great father’s standing as an internationally acclaimed equine sportsman. At the same time, the Grand National virtuoso generously thanked his astute trainer for having come up with the bizarre, yet clever idea of tossing a coin to decide the best horse to take to the annual championships. 

On her part, the freshly vitalized proud Chanelle McCoy was literally all smiles, after her hubby’s first-rate record in the year’s foremost racing event. She pleasingly expressed kudos to not only her profoundly industrious spouse but also extended her congratulations to the other exceptionally supportive folks in the winning blend. These featured guys such as McManus and Jonjo and Jacqui (O’Neill); mainly for what she fittingly described as a truly “fantastic achievement”.

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Photo: Pixabay (free) 

1968 Red Alligator Shows His Teeth to Rivals

The 1968’s event marked the 122nd staging of the Grand National equestrian race that occurred at Aintree Racecourse, a few miles away from Liverpool in England. According to detailed archival records, the lively occasion took place on the 30th of March…and was won by Red Alligator by a legendary 20 lengths – one of the most resounding victory margins in the entire history of the centuries-old gaming meet. 

The teeth-brandishing Alligator was adeptly steered to the aforementioned historic triumph by the unflinching Brian Fletcher. The same champion jockey would again propel Red Rum to typically picture-perfect exploits in the 1973 and 1974 Nationals. 

The most conspicuous participator was Tim Durant, atop Highlandie – the oldest rider to ever successfully complete the Aintree circuit at 68 years of age! 

It was an also exhilarating victory for the 9-year-old horse …a comparatively tender age for a winner in such a noteworthy international competition. The young victor was owned by one fella named Mr J. Manners, a comparably less known horse handler of little regional fame. 

The successful contester had been trained by one Denys Smith of Durham County. Denys did not expect his marvellous prodigy to bring him such exemplary honours. He however later confided to journalists that he knew his modest protégé to be a petite beast of immense ability and firm discipline. 

Placed at the impossible odds of 100/7, it had been clearly indicated that not many locals and global sports fans anticipated the pair’s record-breaking performance. Another astonishing aspect to the whole victorious mix was the fact that Brian Fletcher was only 19 years at the time he achieved this spectacular feat. 

As grateful racing history shows, Brian would go ahead to clinch equally stunning exploits a couple of years later. For instance, t6he same rider steered the variously honoured Red Rum to a picture-perfect victory – a maiden success for the then still-inexperienced galloper…duplicating the same feat not many years later, to give the now-well-known sprinter the indelible intercontinental fame we know today. 

Denys Smith – the colourful event’s winning trainer – died in November 2016 aged 92, and with an elegant racing record to his name. Operating from his renowned base in Bishop Auckland in County Durham, the lately-fallen sporting hero gave the racing world more 1,600 winning horses from his famous stables. What made him an especially remarkable equestrian dealer was that he issued great gallopers for both flat and jump racing events.

Derek Thompson, a longstanding assistant to the unbeatable Smith of the 1968 Grand National fame, averred that his boss was one of the finest sporting icons in the whole of the English equine-gaming fraternity…and that he was really lucky to have had the chance to serve as his assistant at the Bishop Auckland training premises. 

Red Alligator had emerged third in the previous year’s National version. He also had been tipped as a top favourite in 1969 but he succumbed to encumbrances at the nineteenth fence. Owned by the not-very-well-known James Manners, the triumphant rider had fruitlessly run for the grand title the previous year on the same runner…but his little chances were ruined by the so-called “Foinavon pile up”, someplace around the 23rd fence. 

Due to ensuing melee, the popular jockey remounted but was not able to reclaim the lost preliminary pace due to the ensuing mayhem – finishing third to Foinavon. The greatly endowed horse was said to have been taken to the stalls for prescriptive drugging and did not achieve any record really close to his earlier Aintree glory of the preceding year. 

The ensuing general lack of success notwithstanding, the horse’s 1968 victory was grandly commemorated by a local brewing giant - where trainer Denys Smith had been a passably honoured patron of longstanding…naming the drinking joint after the admired equine instructor. 

And as a lasting testament that endures to this, you’ll find therein the trainer and winning horse’s photos posted on whatever visible remains of the time-dulled walls of the olden beer-dispensing facility. 

Although Brian Fletcher’s gallant attainment in the year’s Aintree clash is a feat of no mean repute, posterity will best remember him for more vivacious accomplishments in 1973 and 1974…. when the incisive man of horses piloted Red Rum to immortalize his name with two consecutive Grand National titles. His performance in the 1975 National didn’t fall short of lasting accolades, too.

Grand National 2021 - Bookie Vs Sweepstake

It was a sad day in Grand National history when the 2020 running was cancelled due to Coronavirus. 

I think the only other occasions the Greatest Steeplechase in the World did not taken place was in times of the great wars and 1997 when the race was postponed for two day after the Provisional Irish Republican Army threatened to explode a bomb. 

It was disappointing to see the 2020 Grand National fall by the way when it looked to be an even-money shot to take place. 

I hate to be negative but the Virtual Grand National was simply a poor replacement and meaningless.

Fans of Tiger Roll, who would be attempting to win three Grand Nationals on the bounce, missed his chance of making history - perhaps even superseding the legendary status of Donald ''Ginger'' McCain's Red Rum who won in 1973, 1974 & 1977. 

Considering George Elliott's charge disappointed on this return to racing, pulling-up at Cheltenham when a 4/1 shot to take the 3m 6f Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase, it proves such opportunities are fleeting at best.  With talk of retiring the son of Authorized if putting in below-par effort on his next outing, the Grand National has another story to tell.

Let's hope for connections and racing fans that Tiger Roll takes his chance to equal the unprecedented victories of Red Rum. I'm sure many fans of ''Rummy'' will be hoping Tiger Roll doesn't turn up although not many would wish that on such a resolute ''pintsized'' horse who is literally made of steel. 

By 5:15 PM Saturday 10th April, we will know the line-up and those brave horses and jockeys taking part, each with their story to tell, with the chance of making history. 

It's interesting that many people who never bet chance their luck on Grand National. 

I remember my Gran, we called her Nana Polo (because we used to get confused which Nan was which and my Dad's mum loved Polo mints). 

Ivy Coote ''Nana Polo'' wouldn't have a bet in a year of Sundays.

However, when it came to the Grand National she was ready to bet like a man!

I'm pretty sure she backed Red Rum on all his victories in the 1970s. My brother and I there by her side cheering him on too.

But here's the question. 

Do you bet with bookies or sweepstake?

I have taken part in both and they are options for all those who love to watch the race, be part of the excitement, and hopefully win a few pounds along the way. 

Now, each to their own, but I would always favour betting with the bookies rather than the sweepstake.

Here are my top 5 reasons why betting on the Sweepstake may be a bad idea. 

1) It's based on luck rather than skill. If you have an opinion that's reason enough to bet with a traditional bookmakers. 

2) The majority of winners of the Grand National would have given a much better return on your bet. 

3) If you fancy an outsider in the Grand National you would be crazy to play the sweepstake. 

4) Gambling is about putting your money down. Somehow, the sweepstake seems like you are doing something less exciting. 

5) The only reason you should favour the sweepstake over the bookies is if the last horse to be picked is the favourite. I can tell you this much - that offer won't be around long. 

Whatever your Grand National tip, bet, wager, finger's crossed this year's contest takes place and horses and jockeys finish safe and sound. 

Good luck. 

Rule The World Grand National Winner 2016

As the 169th Crabbies Grand National earnestly kicked off at the customary Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, not even the most seasoned racing pundits could expect a mere 33-1 shot to miraculously clinch a dramatic victory. All the same, that’s what exactly transpired. 

The feisty Rule the World – that little-known champ who had never bagged any other steeplechase title before, simply ran faster than all his challengers to a spectacular finish! This utterly startling win watched by millions of fans excitedly following real money casino games and Grand National, both locally and on thousands of television screens across the world. 

Ably ridden by the mud-stained David Mullins, the persistent ‘magic’ horse unbelievably outpaced The Last Samuri – the vigorously chasing runner up - by a whopping six lengths! It was enough to make me hunger for the best mobile casinos. Strenuously trailing the leading duo was the doughty Vic's Canvas – the only 13-year-old participant in the race, and who also enduringly galloped home to a distant third place. 

Rule The World indeed accomplished a once-in-a-generation horse-racing exploit. He made history as the only complete novice to secure a Grand National win, with a similar feat having been equally phenomenally marked in 1958 by Mr. What. 

Trained in Ireland by Mouse Morris, the unanticipated success seems to have been made possible by the acclaimed 67-year-old’s thorough training. The triumph attracted worldwide praise as an undisputed masterstroke, especially given the fact that the Irish ace had lost his son to carbon monoxide poisoning a year before. Morris opined that he’d not expected his horse to pull off anything better than a hard-fought third position. He reportedly quipped that he’d have still deemed a lesser performance admirable enough. 

A telling sparkle appeared on his beaming face, the jubilant trainer joked that the underrated horse had “ran on like a train...Didn’t he?” Thus rhetorically posed the delighted champion trainer; somewhat betraying an awkward readiness to put up with anyone eager to oppose his patently exaggerated claim that his gifted horse had supposedly flitted like a real train.

Besides, the overjoyed training genius revealed that the out-of-the-blue front runner had in fact suffered some slight troubles jumping in earlier training sessions. According to the respected Irish horseman, the incredibly flourishing Rule The World had also sustained career-jeopardizing injuries previously - two pelvis fractures and a few other grim mid-track accidents, for instance. 

Even so, the exceedingly proud Morris didn’t hesitate to detail that Rule The World was one of the finest horses he had trained. Summarized, Morris took immense pride in the fact that the formerly unpromising horse had just catapulted his career to new heights. 

In addition, the winning jockey enjoyed the limelight. A nephew of legendary trainer Willie Mullins, David Mullins’s magical success amply proved that he’s essentially tipped for a successful career. 

Mullins shared the veteran trainer’s misgivings concerning the horse's lack of experience - candidly telling journalists that he’d also harbored worries that the new champion would lose speed as he’d earlier exhibited slight problems jumping fences. 

The event was sponsored by Crabbies – the giant ginger-beer maker who financially supported the contest for the last time after three successive sponsorships. The high-ranking live broadcast rights went to Channel 4 for the fourth consecutive year. The widely followed championship’s field proceedings were also covered by BBC Radio, having retained airing privileges for nearly a century, since 1927.

A total of 106 potential competitors sought inclusion in the 2016 Aintree race. However, the preliminary appraisal shortened the list to 96 contenders, and an even finer confirmatory review left only 87 candidates. Making four customary reservations to cater for any eleventh-hour withdrawals, the final 40 contestants were officially announced on April 7. 

The overall winner was awarded a cash prize of £561,300. The Last Samuri (ridden by David Bass), Mullin’s closest challenger, received a comparatively smaller but still covetable bounty - £211,100. Vics Canvas, adroitly steered by Robert Dunne, got a worthy token of £105,500. The fourth and the fifth slots went to Gilgamboa/Robbie Power (£52,700) and Goonyella/Jonny Burke (£26,500) in that order.

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Photo: Pixabay (free) 

Anticipation Builds: Are You Ready for the Grand National Horse Race 2024?

As the calendar turns to April, the excitement in the world of horse racing reaches a fever pitch, and enthusiasts from all walks of life eagerly await the most prestigious steeplechase event on the planet—the Grand National. The 2024 edition promises to be a spectacle of skill, speed, and heart-stopping moments as both seasoned veterans and rising stars vie for glory over the daunting Aintree course.

The Grand National, known for its challenging jumps and unpredictable twists, has a rich history dating back to its inaugural run in 1839. Each year, the event captivates millions of viewers worldwide, showcasing the extraordinary bond between jockeys and their noble steeds. This year's race, scheduled for April 6, 2024, is already generating intense anticipation and discussions among racing enthusiasts and casual observers alike.

One of the key factors adding to the excitement is the uncertain nature of the Grand National. The iconic course, spanning over four miles and featuring 30 formidable fences, including the infamous Becher's Brook and The Chair, demands exceptional skill and courage from both horse and rider. Every jump, every stride, and every tactical decision can make the difference between triumph and heartbreak.

The 2024 edition of the Grand National promises to be especially thrilling as a blend of seasoned champions and promising newcomers compete for the coveted title. Fan-favorite horses like Tiger Roll, a two-time Grand National winner in 2018 and 2019, are expected to draw enormous attention. The public's fascination with these equine athletes is not just limited to their racing prowess but extends to their unique personalities and stories.

In addition to established stars, this year's Grand National will likely feature a crop of rising talents eager to make their mark on the sport. The unpredictable nature of the race means that underdogs can, and often do, emerge victorious, creating unforgettable moments that linger in the hearts of fans for years.

Beyond the horses, the jockeys themselves play a crucial role in the Grand National drama. The riders must strike a delicate balance between aggression and caution, knowing when to push their mounts to the limit and when to conserve energy for the grueling final stretch. The Aintree course demands not just technical skill but strategic brilliance, making the jockey's role equally as important as the horse's abilities.

As the anticipation builds, so does the speculation about which horse-and-rider pair will etch their names into Grand National history in 2024. Punters are busy analyzing form, studying past performances, and scrutinizing the odds to make their predictions. The unpredictability of the race adds an element of suspense, making it a thrilling experience for both seasoned gamblers and casual bettors.

Whether you're a dedicated racing aficionado or a casual observer drawn to the spectacle, the Grand National 2024 promises to be an event that will leave a lasting impression. It's a celebration of speed, skill, and the indomitable spirit of both horse and rider. So, as the starting gates swing open on that fateful day in April, ask yourself: Are you ready for the Grand National? Buckle up, because the ride is about to begin, and it's bound to be a wild one.

Photo: Pixabay (free) 

Red Rum's Historic Fourth Grand National Triumph: A Fantasy Turned Reality

Image by wirestock on Freepik

In the realm of horse racing, few names resonate as powerfully as Red Rum, the legendary steeplechaser who etched his name in the annals of history with three Grand National victories in the 1970s. However, what if the fabled horse's tale had taken an even more extraordinary turn, and he secured an unprecedented fourth triumph at Aintree? Let's embark on a journey into the realm of fantasy, envisioning the euphoria that would have surrounded Red Rum's fourth Grand National success.

The year is 1979, and the racing world is abuzz with anticipation as Red Rum, now an aging but still formidable 13-year-old, prepares for his record-breaking attempt. Trainer Ginger McCain, with the seasoned jockey Tommy Stack in the saddle, has meticulously guided Red Rum's training, instilling the veteran horse with the same fire that had made him a household name.

As the Grand National day dawns, Aintree is charged with an electrifying atmosphere. Spectators, sporting wide-brimmed hats and peering through binoculars, eagerly await the spectacle that is about to unfold. The air is thick with nostalgia, as racing enthusiasts and casual fans alike come together to witness history in the making.

The race begins, and Red Rum, carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation, surges forward with the same tenacity that defined his previous triumphs. The familiar Aintree fences, once conquerors of many, now stand as mere hurdles in the path of a living legend. The roar of the crowd intensifies with each stride, their cheers echoing through the historic course.

As Red Rum approaches the famous Becher's Brook, there is a collective gasp from the crowd. Memories of his previous conquests flood the minds of spectators, and a hushed silence falls over Aintree. In a heartbeat, the gallant Red Rum clears the formidable obstacle, his experience and instinct guiding him flawlessly.

The race unfolds with Red Rum steadily advancing, his rivals trailing in his wake. Each jump is a testament to his enduring spirit and the bond he shares with his rider, Stack. The duo navigates the circuit with a precision that leaves the crowd in awe. The treacherous Canal Turn, the challenging Foinavon fence – Red Rum conquers them all with a grace that defies his age.

Approaching the final stretch, the atmosphere at Aintree reaches a fever pitch. The historic grandstands reverberate with thunderous applause as Red Rum, with the finish line in sight, summons one last surge of energy. The crowd erupts in cheers, overcome with emotion at the realization that they are witnessing a moment that transcends the sport itself.

As Red Rum crosses the finish line, history is made. A fourth Grand National victory for the ages, a feat unparalleled in the annals of horse racing. A proud Tommy Stack guides the legendary steed into the winner's enclosure, where jubilant fans and tearful onlookers alike pay homage to the gallant champion.

The legacy of Red Rum, already firmly cemented in racing folklore, takes on an even more mythical quality. His fourth Grand National triumph becomes a symbol of resilience, determination, and the unbreakable bond between horse and rider. Aintree, forever etched in the story of Red Rum, becomes a hallowed ground where dreams are realized and legends are born. In this alternate reality, Red Rum's fourth Grand National victory is not just a fantasy; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of one of the greatest racehorses in history.

Photo: Freepik