Around 6-8 weeks prior to the Grand National each year, the trainers and connections of horses with a ‘soft’ entry into the race enjoy a slap-up lunch as they find out how their horse has been treated by the handicapper. Some will be pleased by the outcome of the handicapping process: their horse will be […]
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What Changes Have Been Made to the 2024 Grand National?
A smaller field of horses and changes to the layout of the Aintree track are just two of the ways that the Jockey Club plans to make the Grand National a safer race as of 2024. There has been pressure for alterations to be made to the famous race after three horses sadly lost their […]
Does Weight Really Matter When Betting on the Grand National?
For casual punters who might have the odd yearly flutter on the Grand National or the Cheltenham Festival, there’s often one thing that confuses them: handicaps. The concept of adding weight to a horse might seem like a crazy one, but it serves the purpose – in theory, at least – of levelling the playing […]
Why are the Irish Dominating the UK in Horse Racing Right Now?
When Rachael Blackmore timed Minella Times’ run to the line at the Grand National to perfection, she – not for the first time – smashed another glass ceiling in a sport that is becoming ever more gender neutral. Blackmore became the first woman in history to win the Grand National, and that came barely a […]
Have We Seen the Last of Tiger Roll? Grand National Hero Could Be Set for Retirement
They say in life that your reputation precedes you. And that has certainly been the case for Tiger Roll, the fantastic two-time Grand National champion, who has been denied a date with destiny – potentially becoming the first horse in history to win a hat-trick of consecutive Aintree titles – by the handicapper. His brilliance […]
Will the 2020 Grand National be Cancelled Due to Coronavirus?
Update 16th March 2020: The Grand National and Grand National meeting at Aintree has now been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. It was a move that drew plenty of criticism from all quarters, but the decision to let the Cheltenham Festival run as planned – despite the health risks posed by the coronavirus – […]
The 2019 Grand National: Everything We Know So Far After the Weights Were Announced
The Grand National is the most wagered upon horse race of the year, and whether you are a serious punter looking to find an edge or somebody simply hoping to impress their workmates in the sweepstake, the release of the weights is always eagerly anticipated. Those were announced in a ceremony in Liverpool recently, and […]