World's most famous race

[wigmore]

40 horses going 4 miles over some of the biggest jump fences anywhere. Oh yes and its a handicap with top weight Hedgehunter carrying 162 and bottom wieght carrying around 140

There is nothing like it.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by wigmore

40 horses going 4 miles over some of the biggest jump fences anywhere. Oh yes and its a handicap with top weight Hedgehunter carrying 162 and bottom wieght carrying around 140

There is nothing like it.

well there certainly is Nothing like that over here that I know of.

I'm always up for something new so I will give it a look.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

well there certainly is Nothing like that over here that I know of.

I'm always up for something new so I will give it a look.

Take the class, a lot of them don't belong......

box 5 and pray they don't fall

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

Take the class, a lot of them don't belong......

box 5 and pray they don't fall

I don't plan to wager, wouldn't know how to approach it. I will pray that the horses come through this. If it turns out that horses are falling left and right I will be checking out. Not my kind of entertainment.

Don't they also run the bulls this time of year at Pamplona?
When they start putting numbers on the sides of the bulls and taking wagers, I might start watching this one also.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I don't plan to wager, wouldn't know how to approach it. I will pray that the horses come through this. If it turns out that horses are falling left and right I will be checking out. Not my kind of entertainment.

Don't they also run the bulls this time of year at Pamplona?
When they start putting numbers on the sides of the bulls and taking wagers, I might start watching this one also.

Well they will be falling..... so you might take a raincheck.

[wigmore]

http://www.attheraces.com/national/

good info here including replay of last years race...

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by wigmore

http://www.attheraces.com/national/

good info here including replay of last years race...

thanks for the link, I will review it a bit tomorrow.

I did try to run the replay from last year, however it wouldn't run and I got the message "sorry, this video is for UK audiences only"

As a proud former colony, I would think that we are entitled to at least have a look at the replay!

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I asked this question of hwjb a few months ago, and I need a refresher course: what is the difference (or differences) between steeplechase and hurdles? Is the height of the fences the difference?

Also, is the Cheltenham Gold Cup a steeplechase or hurdle event? (I noticed in the website that only one horse has completed the Cheltenham - Aintree double.)

Do the horses who jump the hurdles also compete in steeplechase racing?

The Grand National website was really interesting.

I think that I am waving the white flag on Aintree vs. Churchill Downs.

Chris,

the only difference between steeplechases and hurdles is the size of the obstacles. I believe that when ye guys say steeplechasing, to us, it is actually racing over hurdles. Thats what i saw in Saratoga anyway.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious weight for age steeplechase. Its run over 3miles 2 and ahalf furlongs (i think, or thereabouts!). the most prestigious hurdle race is the champion hurdle run in Cheltenham over 2 miles. The only horse ever to win both was the best mare of all time - Dawn Run.

alot of horses start off with hurdles and progress onto fences as they get older, but some have mixed the two with success. Furthermore, plenty jumpers race on the flat as well.

I have to admit, unfortunately, that the Derby in Churchill is far more prestigious these days than the original Derby in Epsom!