Red Rum: The Life of a Grand National Winner

It's a race that captures the attention of the world. 

The Grand National 2019 - April 6th, 5:15pm. The greatest National Hunt Steeplechase. 

Four and a half miles. Thirty jumps. Two circuits of blood, sweat, tears, sometimes sadness and joy. 

The history of this race details the ultimate three-time winner Red Rum who triumphed over adversity. His trainer, Ginger McCain, nurtured his favourite horse to prove that with love, care, hope and joy anything is possible. 

From galloping at Southport beach to winning the Grand National. 

Victorious in 1973, 1974 & 1977. 

Over the years, the Grand National has been a medium for many remarkable stories.

Here is a brief biography of the horse synonymous with the Grand National.

Red Rum

A champion thoroughbred steeplechaser. Grand National winner 1973, 1974 & 1977. Scottish Grand National victory in 1974. 

Like so many champions, Red Rum came from humble beginnings. 

This Irish-bred bay gelding was sired by Quorum out of a mare called Mared. Foaled 3rd May 1965 at Rosennara Stud in Kells, County Kilkenny. His breeder, Martyn McEnery, gave Red Rum his name (the last three letters of the mare and first three of the sire). 

A horse bred to win over one mile, few would have guessed in those early years, that he would be a champion over four and a half miles. 

Many readers may not realise that Red Rum started his racing career on the Flat. He dead-heated in his first race over 5f at Aintree, which then held Flat racing fixture whereas today it is National Hunt. 

He ran eight times at two. A juvenile winner over 7f at Warwick alongside his victory at Aintree, and Doncaster at three in one of two races that season. 

Did you know? He was twice ridden by Lester Piggott and his stable lad was none other than comedian Lee Mack!

However, for all his early achievements, the best was yet to come when purchased by Ginger McCain for his new owner Noel le Mare for 6000 guineas. Two days later Red Rum was found to be lame. However, this didn't cut short the determination of man nor horse. McCain remembered seeing how sea-water helped rejuvenate old carthorses. This daily gallop helped Red Rum to be fit and ready for the greatest test of his life: The Grand National. 

In many ways, the rest is history. 

In 1973 he made his debut in the National beating the outstanding Australian chaser, Crisp who carried 23 pounds more. In truth, Crisp was one of the most astounding chasers in history. After being 30 lengths clear at the last fence, he tired and Red Rum won in a remarkable race. 

Red Rum retained his title in 1974. A year which saw him win the Scottish Grand National. The only horse to win both National in the same year!

1975 & 1976 saw him finish runner-up.  

The following year, Red Rum, now twelve, won for a remarkable third time. A historic moment never matched. 

While being prepared for his sixth National, he suffered a hairline fracture the day before the big day and retired. 

This equine celebrity didn't let the grass grow under his feet annually leading the Grand National parade. He opened supermarkets, adorned all manner of merchandising. 

Red Rum passed away on 18th October 1995 aged 30. His death made headline news across the world. 

Red Rum was buried at the finishing post of his beloved Aintree. The place of his first and last win. 

A three-time Champion of the Grand National. 

Grand National 2018 - The Housewife's Favourite

The housewife's favourite. The Grand National is like no other horse racing. Are you ready for the Grand National 2018?

Aintree racecourse is synonymous with the greatest steeplechase of them all. The Grand National is testing course, especially in the mud. Four miles and two long furlongs: two circuits, 30 fences, following in the footsteps and hoof prints of legends who have both confirmed and defied the odds.

With prize money worth over £1m this is one race owners, trainers and jockeys are desperate to win. For punters, it is a matter of picking a horse that will run a race. Sometimes the best horses win. Red Rum made this race his own in the 1970s. His story lives on in all those who love the Grand National. So many stories of triumph over adversity.

So which horse, jockey or trainer do you fancy? Remember we are talking about betting even if it is the housewife's favourite. The Randox Health Grand National starts at 5:15 Aintree 14^th April.

But who win win?

Here are a few trend which might steer you in the right direction or help you avoid a bad day at the office.

• Most likely winner by age: Grand National winner are usually aged from 8 – 10.
• Experience horse do best with 10 races or more.
• An ideal weight is 11^st 3lb.
• Favourites don't have the best record.
• 5 horses have won at odds of 100/1.

Stake a look at this shortlist?

Blaklion

Nigel Twiston-Davies' has high hopes for this nine-year-old bay Blaklion. This gelding may be heading towards the Gold Cup so spoilt for choice and far from lacking ability. If you are getting a feeling of deja vu, this son of Kafy Tara was favourite for last year's National. Punters were keen on his chances – travelling strongly four fences from home. However, he tired to a crawl in the closing stages but finished a respectable fourth less than ten lengths behind the cheering crowd. Blaklion is 12/1 to take the spoils for this return. If the going keeps decent, he could hold fair each-way claims.

Ante-post betting – Should I Bet Today?

There are pros and cons about betting ante-post. Why would you bet early? Simply because you get much bigger prices if your horses takes part on the day. Well, most of the time. Betting is all about opinions so when you make your selection you might be part of the crowd or not. Sometimes it pays to follow your own instincts. Did you know 5 horses have won at odds of 100/1. Mon Mone won at 100/1 in 2009. Just imagine what price the horse a month before the big day. I can imagine he was 500/1. Bet £10 at 500/1 you'd have won £5000.

Let's get serious about betting on the 2018 Grand National. Blaklion's betting ranges from 10/1 – 14/1 that's why you need to check out WilliamHill. The difference between one bookies odds and another could be a decent wedge. For example, Pleasant Company is 40/1 with Hills while 25/1 with other bookies.

Definitely Red

Brian Ellison's nine-year-old gelding had a disastrous run in last year's National. Priced just 10/1, punters knew their fate when he was badly hampered at Becher's Brook. He never recovered and pulled-up shortly after. Definitely Red has been in excellent form of late but carries much more weight this time round. Hills have this sturdy charge priced at 20/1 and a live chance if having a bit of luck.

Cause Of Causes

Gordon Elliot trains this gelding for leading owner and renowned pro gambler J P McManus. He ran a cracking race in last year's National when runner-up behind One For Arthur at odds of 16/1. His latest effort at Leopardstown when a 33/1 saw him trail home fifty-one lengths behind the winner. That was just a prep race because he was never going to show a jot over 2m 5f. Cause Of Causes is 20/1. A horse with a fighting spirit and if last year is anything to go by could show some form.

Ante-post betting: Blaklion 10/1, Total Recall 10/1, Cause Of Causes 20/1, Definitely Red 20/1, Gold Present 20/1, Minella Rocco 201, The Last Samuri 25/1, Anibale Fly 25/1, Gas Line Boy 33/1, Noble Endeavor 33/1, Vicente.

If betting, horses can win at any price from favourite to 100/1. Well, that's what history has told us. Blaklion, Cause Of Causes and Definitely Red have each-way claims.

Get ready for the best Grand National free bets and make money

If you have a passion for Horse Racing, you must have info about betting! The Grand National is one of the most anticipated horse racing events in the world. The game gets hosted in the UK and drags attention of media and audiences across the globe. If you are new to The World of Racing’ your level of excitement would reach heights! The cheering crowd in the gallery and around 40 horses running fast on the track would leave your eyes wide open. The Grand National horse racing event throws excellent opportunities to make money by betting on the winning horses.

Bet without any fear of loss!

You need not worry if you are not that lucky to win in betting! You can go for best Grand National free bets and earn without any fear of loss. At Grand National event, the betting men can bet on their favorite horse after analyzing the performances of the horses on the track, without any worries. If a betting man wins, then, of course, it is profitable. If the betting man losses the match, then the betting amount will get refunded. 'Money back guarantee' on betting is the most popular feature of The Grand National event. Make sure to follow the rules of betting and run the sweepstakes accordingly.

Find a trusted site for online betting to remain secure

Get ready to take part in the world’s most awaiting bet fair in 2018. Every year, in April, thousands of racing fans arrive at Liverpool to witness the most famous horse race event and bet on their star horses! You don’t need to be present at the event. Learning about the rules and the preparing the lists of the winning horses, you need to visit a trusted site and make the betting. Don’t get depressed if you don’t find self, to be fortunate enough to stand in the grandstands. Participate in betting online selecting the winning horse.

Learn about betting and fulfill your aims of earning profits

As you are a beginner in the world of horse racing and betting, you must have the best guide to turn your investments into profits. In The Grand National event, 40 horses participate in the race. The horses undergo health checkup before they are allowed to the track. Skilled and experienced jockeys ride on the horse’s back and stay prepared before the race. The race tracks got modified for ensuring the safety of the horses and riders unlike the early days. In any game, making expectations about the winner is hard but in horse racing, determining the winner is the toughest!

Being a wager, you need to complete the odds of the horses competing in the race. The horse you pick for betting must have a good track record in different sports. As a novice, you can consult an experienced and knowledgeable player and learn about the horse race betting strategy. You need to search for the best website after performing proper research. You will get different online sites offering best Grand National free bets. Make sure to decide the betting amount before you click on the ‘bet’ button. You must not ever bet a considerable amount which will invite bad financial situations.

Follow the rules and decide to bet on a winning horse

At The Grand National event, you need to research about the horses listed for the race as well as the odds. Don’t follow the gossips about the horses on any social media or other channels. You need to realize the potential of the horse you are betting! Before betting, you need to watch the previous matches and performance of the horses on the track. You can also collect information about the jockeys and their control over the horses as it is one of the key aspects to consider in determining the results.

For The Grand National horse race event, your hands must get set with the best Grand National free bets, the offered bonuses and price boosts. The bookies offer excellent opportunities for the new entrants to the arena. Select the website that offers a painless experience of betting. Sign-up with the online bookmaker, navigate to the sports section and select Horse Racing. The Grand National Event. You need to click on the odds exactly opposite to the horse you decided to bet. You need to choose the stake. Select Each Way to both wins and place the bet. Click on Place Bet button for confirmation. 

Grand National 2018 - Ante-post Review

It's that time again. 

When talk of Red Rum, Mr Frisk and toothless jockeys tell their opinion that this year 'I'm going to win the greatest steeplechase in the world.' 

The Grand National 2018 sends punters into a frenzy with the hope they will pick the winner. Saturday 14th April is the fixture of the Grand National.

It's a race steeped in history. 

But which horses are likely to be a big player on the day? The ante-post market is still rather open but that doesn't stop bookmakers from offering prices or websites from having an opinion. 

So what does the ante-post market tell us? 

At the time of writing, if you have a horse you fancy to go well or even win, then I'd suggest you take the price because bookmakers are giving 25/1 if not much bigger odds on every horse. 

Major hopes:

Nigel Twiston-Davies hasn't won the National since Bindaree prevailed in 2002 at odds of 20-1. 

Blaklion, a son of Kayf Tara, has proven he likes the course when finishing fourth last year behind One For Arthur. He was favourite that day when beaten less than nine lengths. Connections are limbering up for this April and this bay gelding returned in December to Aintree winning well over a distance of 3 mile 2 furlongs on heavy going. Just 7-4 favourite that day, but a remarkably consistent nine-year-old who could well be peaking at the right time. He has the experience and talent to make his mark at the highest level with a highest official rating of 161.   

With career earnings of almost £400,000, a Grand National win will propel him to almost a millionaire. 

Other horses who feature high in the pecking order of the National betting include:

Colin Tizzard's Native River. This eight-year-old chestnut gelding is a class horse. A winner of 9 races in his National Hunt career and achieving prize money over £400,000. In 2016, he won at Aintree and regular at Cheltenham. At present, this horse is priced 25-1 with bookmakers. 

Other notable prospects worthy of an interest include Paul Nicholls' Vincente. Plenty of layers giving 33-1 on this noble charge. 

Jonjo O'Neil last won the race in 2010 with Don't Push It, ridden by Tony McCoy when 10-1JF. Perhaps Minella Rock is your idea of this year's hero. 

The market is so open at present you may fancy a few selections. 

Cause Of Causes - Gordon Elliot 33-1. 

Definitely Red - Brian Ellison - 33-1.

The Last Samuri - Kim Bailey 40-1.

Come the big day, will you be betting on the Grand National 2018 winner?

Enjoying the Grand National at Work

40 horses but only 1 winner – the 2018 Grand National is almost here! If you’re hoping to land a winner and maybe some extra pocket money out of the deal then you need to be keeping an eye our for the best bets from Betfair for the Grand National.

However, if you’re only hoping to have a flutter and maybe have some fun with your friends, family or colleagues, we’ve got a great game for you that you can play from the comfort of your own home/office.

To play, all you have to do is print off the three essential ingredients here – the rules card which tells you how to run the sweepstakes, the race-card which gives you the name of 40 horses likely to run, as well as odds from Betfair:

Blaklion is currently the 10/1 favourite with Betfair with one of last year’s contenders, Minella Rocco looking to go better and win this year’s Gold Cup. The Irish horse is currently 14/1 second favourite.

Behind the two favourites is the chasing pack of The Last Samurai, Definitely Red and Total Recall. The latter has seen its odds decrease in recent days..

Once the rules card has been printed, here are the betting slips to fill in so you can all pick the horse you think is going to win:

Now you’re ready to go have fun with your colleagues or whomever you are playing the 2018 Grand National sweepstake with this year. Enjoy!