The Grand National through the Years

The Grand National has been something of a grand occasion for over 200 years. With its roots in the early 1800’s, the Grand National has transformed into the spectacle that it is today. In its humble beginnings, the horses had to jump over a stone wall, cross a stretch of ploughed land and finish over two hurdles. Today betting on the Grand National is a spectacular event, being watched this year by over 600 million spectators worldwide in 30 countries. 

The Beginning

The first Grand National race was won by Lottery in 1839. The current Grand National course was first opened during a period of economic difficulty for Aintree in the post-war years. These difficulties led to the sale of the Grand National grounds to a property developer. Thus striking concerns around the future of the Grand National.

In 2014, for the first time, the Grand National boasted a 7 figure prize which was brought back in 2015.

The Spectators 

As always the spectators thronged to the Grand National from the outset. Men donning their three piece suits and women tottering around in their heels. Pictured below are spectators at the 1922 and 1925 races respectively. 

From the overflowing Georgian styled gowns of the 1800’s to the fitted cocktail dresses of today, fashion has always been in focus at the Grand National. Ladies attending the event have been carefully putting together their outfits for over 200 years. 

Spectators at the 1931 races. 

A women horse racing spectator of the 1950’s.

Tipsters have also always been a common occurrence on the race grounds, as depicted by the below image of a tipster in a fortune teller inspired costume at the 1948 Grand National races. 

Grand National 2016 - Ante Post Racing Tips

It's getting to that time of year when we take a view on a few big meetings. The Grand National has 126 declarations at this time but it's a race we always take an interest and Karl ''The National Man'' Wales is a tipster who knows this race better than most. He has been looking for a few ante-post positions so I would advise readers to take note. (Pictured, Many Clouds, Grand National 2015 Winner)



9th April 2016 - Ante-post tips


The Druid's Nephew (Neil Mulholland) 25/1 
Goonyella          (J T R Dreaper)   33/1 Skybet
Soll               (David Pipe)      40/1 
Night In Milan     (Keith Reveley)   66/1 Paddy Power
Ballycassey        (W P Mullins)     100/1 Paddy Power 
Mon Parrain        (Paul Nicholls)   100/1 Paddy Power

Good luck to all 

Champions Day dual set for clash of the season

We’ve been waiting all season for the clash between two of the leading milers in Europe, Solow and Gleneagles, and it does now look like that match up will take place on British Champions Day as Gleneagles has been declared at the 48-hour stage for the contest.

The two horses were first scheduled to meet at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes in what was being billed as the latest Dual on the Downs. However, sadly, Aidan O’Brien’s runner was pulled out due to ground concerns. Solow stayed in the race and won by just under a length after going off the 2/5 favourite.

Solow is set for his sixth start of the season on British Champions Day where he has a 100% record in 2015, with notable victories coming in the Dubai Turf, Prix D’Ispahan, Queen Anne Stakes and Susses Stakes. The French-trained horse has had a break since Glorious Goodwood and is likely to go off as favourite at Ascot, even if Gleneagles does remain in the contest.

The 2015 season started so well for Gleneagles as he scored in the opening Classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket where he was ridden to success by Ryan Moore. He has only once run since then, though, winning the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Solow v Gleneagles could go down in the history books as a classic. Here is a look back at three of the great clashes over the years in horse racing:-

Arkle v Mill House – 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Many people still view the race between Arkle and Mill House in the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup as the greatest clash in the history of horse racing. The match up did not fail to deliver. Arkle, the younger of the two, was able to beat the former champion as Ireland got the better of Great Britain in front of a huge audience on TV.

Red Rum v Crisp – 1973 Grand National

Just like ahead of the Grand National 2016 runners, you always hope for a quality field in the world’s most famous steeplechase - and in 1973 we got that. Red Rum was fancied to do very well in his first attempt at the Grand National but if he was to win the race, he had to beat the Australian champion Crisp who many Down Under felt was a sure thing for the 4m4f contest.

It turned out to be an absolute classic as both horses were in contention when passing the elbow and towards the finishing line. In the end it was Red Rum who just got up to score for the first of three wins in the Grand National.

Kauto Star v Denman - 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Stable mates Kauto Star and Denman caught the imagination of many outside the world of horse racing with their clash in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Both had their admirers and opinion was divided about who was going to win the clash of styles. It was powerful and dominant Denman who won the race from the front, forcing his races, including Kauto Star, into submission as they could not live with him in one of the great Cheltenham Gold Cup runs.