The Grand National at Aintree

[TheSpyder]

Jonathon,

I'm half English and use to go there a lot growing up as well as going to school there after college. I love the jumpers and this race in particular. To be in England today is like a major holiday and this race is the talk of the entire Country..everyone has one picked out. How we get people over on this side of the pond to like racing that much?

Originally Posted by Unstable

Scott,

I had no idea you were interested in the 'Chases. I've been amazed anytime I've been able to watch the Grand National (it is not frequently broadcast in the U.S.).

Nobody wants to see the horses fall. (I'm usually exhausted after watching the race, because I think I've tried to will each horse over each fence.) I find it truly amazing when some who have fallen get up and continue the race riderless.

[TheSpyder]

Stand corrected...

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Rummy did better than just win it twice in a row. In five years, he won the National twice, ran second twice, then won it again at the age of 12. The greatest National horse ever, he didn't show his best in shorter races with easier fences. Yet he broke his maiden on the flat in April as a 2yo, at the now defunct Aintree flat meet in National week.

[TheSpyder]

You must be a polytrack fan....Your judging the race just as those who judge flat racing here as being barbaric and cruel. No difference.

Originally Posted by sumitas

I'm inclined to state that this race should be abolished. It is barbaric and cruel. As adults I think we should know better than to support this blood race.

[brockguy]

with National Hunt racing, you still have so much in what is great about racing, horses racing from say 4 until 12, 8, 9 seasons of seeing a horse run, no retiring for breeding interests, real small town owners, trainers, hard as nails jockeys..

if and when im rich enough, id invite anyone sceptical about jump racing to come over here and spend the winter months following the sport...

[TheSpyder]

http://www.attheraces.com/images/pdf...onal415Sat.pdf

[Bigsmc]

Small action each way bets on:

11 - Butler Cabin - 16-1
24 - Baily Breeze - 66-1
35 - Kelami - 40-1
39 - Philson Run - 25-1
40 - Dun Doire - 25-1

[TheSpyder]

Snowing Morning
Point Barrow
Philson Run

Could only bet to win at Bodog..So Bigs let's route this Philson Run home!


Also, thanks for the live video tout to watch this..awesome!

Spyder

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Some of those that lose riders just want to gallop along with the herd and cannily run around the fences so they can keep up without the effort. But the ones I love to see are the ones that actually run intelligent races, jump all the fences, and finish in front at the wire. Horses who know what their job is and are willing to do it - gives me a counterargument for those who claim that horses compete only because humans whip them, too.

Saw another one in the first race today, a listed handicap hurdle. Poquelin, one of the fancied runners, dumped top jock Ruby Walsh along with his bridle early on, hugged the rail in mid-pack, made his move on the final turn, and took the lead off the final hurdle, holding the official winner off by a length all the way to the wire. He was even banged into the inner rail at one point, but that didn't bother him at all; he had a race to win!

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Snowing Morning
Point Barrow
Philson Run

Could only bet to win at Bodog..So Bigs let's route this Philson Run home!


Also, thanks for the live video tout to watch this..awesome!

Spyder

Im on the Philson Run Bandwagon too..

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Snowing Morning
Point Barrow
Philson Run

Could only bet to win at Bodog..So Bigs let's route this Philson Run home!


Also, thanks for the live video tout to watch this..awesome!

Spyder

I'm a little leery of the free video offered at Racing post. It says it's free, but I'm afraid it may not be for people in the States. I guess we'll find out nearer to post time. If someone else has a site, it wouldn't hurt to have a backup.

Oh and go Philson....

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Saw another one in the first race today, a listed handicap hurdle. Poquelin, one of the fancied runners, dumped top jock Ruby Walsh along with his bridle early on, hugged the rail in mid-pack, made his move on the final turn, and took the lead off the final hurdle, holding the official winner off by a length all the way to the wire. He was even banged into the inner rail at one point, but that didn't bother him at all; he had a race to win!

LOL

Too bad he dumped his jock!

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I'm a little leery of the free video offered at Racing post. It says it's free, but I'm afraid it may not be for people in the States. I guess we'll find out nearer to post time. If someone else has a site, it wouldn't hurt to have a backup.

Oh and go Philson....

Looks like it may work. This is what the video says right now.

This page will automatically display the live video once the broadcast starts. Races are shown from three minutes before the scheduled off time.

This race will broadcast from: 4:12pm on April 05 and starts in: 53 mins

*edit* It is working! racingpost.co.uk

[Bigsmc]

33 - Comply or Die wins it - 7-1 Chalk.
27 - King Johns Castle
16 - Snowy Morning
12 - Slim Pickings

[brockguy]

King Johns Castle looked like a huge threat jumping the last, but Timmy Murphy had alot still left in the tank on the fav.

A sad postscript to the race was the fatal fall of McKelvey...

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by brockguy

King Johns Castle looked like a huge threat jumping the last, but Timmy Murphy had alot still left in the tank on the fav.

A sad postscript to the race was the fatal fall of McKelvey...

A shame.

Where they finished (... why I can't watch it)...

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...nal_Order.html


1st Comply Or Die (7-1 joint-favourite)

2nd King Johns Castle (20-1)

3rd Snowy Morning (16-1)

4th Slim Pickings (10-1)

5th Bewleys Berry

6th Cloudy Lane

7th Nadover

8th Baily Breeze

9th Chelsea Harbour

10th Mon Mome

11th Hi Cloy

12th Cornish Sett

13th Hedgehunter

14th Idle Talk

15th Milan Deux Mille

Casualties:

2nd fence: Black Apalachi, Backbeat, L'Ami (all fell)

3rd fence: Tumbling Dice, Iron Man (both unseated)

4th fence: Ardaghey, Fundamentalist (both fell)

6th fence: No Full (fell)

8th fence: Madison Du Berlais, Philson Run (both fell)

11th fence: Contraband, Kelami (fell)

17th fence: Point Barrow (pulled up)

19th fence: Vodka Bleu, Bob Hall, Naunton Brook (all pulled up)

20th fence: Joaaci (fell), McKelvey (unseated)

22nd fence: Butler's Cabin (fell)

25th fence: Turko (fell), Knowhere (fell), Simon (unseated)

27th fence: D'Argent (fell)

29th fence: Dun Doire (pulled up)

30th fence: Mr Pointment (pulled up.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

You must be a polytrack fan....Your judging the race just as those who judge flat racing here as being barbaric and cruel. No difference.

I'm entitled to my opinion and you can have yours. I don't have to repeat my opinion again and again. Shame on those, including you, that support this blood lust.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I'm entitled to my opinion and you can have yours. I don't have to repeat my opinion again and again. Shame on those, including you, that support this blood lust.

But you do.

[saratogabrit]

McKelvey had become something of a TV star as he had been featured on a Prime Time BBC1 magazine show "The One Show"

A webcam was installed in his box and I think viewers could watch him 24/7 on the BBC website.

The show is watched by millions and the presenters will have a difficult task when the show returns on Monday evening.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by brockguy

A sad postscript to the race was the fatal fall of McKelvey...

I wondered beforehand if McKelvey really should run in the race this year. I know he was a gallant second last year, but he was hurt after that and his two come-back races this year were dreadful. In 2007, he came in off of a win in a hurdle race, but this time in came in after running a miserable last in a similar race. Had the feeling he was telling his folks that he wasn't quite ready for the big time yet and they weren't listening.

[_ed_]

Sorry to hear about the fatal injury.

Was having a look for a replay but I can't watch any races in which that happens so I think I'll skip it. A shame.