Grand National

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2009 Grand National

Each year 40 horses tackle the grueling four and a half mile Aintree race course and jump thirty fences in the world's most exciting horse race, The Grand National.

Horse's and jockeys must be in perfect condition to navigate the course twice! One miss timed jump could spell disaster for horse and rider. Because the race is so difficult to win, it attracts a world wide T.V audience reaching into the millions.

Everyone from young children to O.A.P's have a small bet on the Grand National - even those with no interest in gambling will still bet on the race. As the race is so difficult, picking a Grand National winner can be more about good luck than good judgement.

However, if you're interested in trying to pick a winner in the 2008 National I have put together a guide to help you avoid backing a real donkey in the big race. You can also find photos, a full video of last years race and a history of the Grand National below.



Get the latest on the 2009 Grand National here.

How To Pick a Winner 



If it was simple to pick a Grand National winner then we'd all be millionaires and the bookmakers would have gone bust many years ago.

Picking a winning horse in the Grand National can be hard, but not impossible, you just need a little guidence in the qualities to look for when betting on a horse.

Weight Watchers:
Don't back a horse that is carrying more than 11 stone 3lb as few horses have the stamina to carry top weight and still perform on the lengthy Aintree course. In the last fifty years only Red Rum (1974, 1977) and Corbiere (1983) have won carrying more.

Age Concern:
Just like people, horses learn from experience too. Look for a horse aged between 9 and 11. Younger horses just don't have the experience for this grueling race.

French Foreign Legion:
Over the years a large number of French trained horses have attempted to win the Grand National but you'll need to dig deep into the record books to find an actual winner - 1909 to be exact! So discount those French horses.

Go Green:
The Irish take few things in life as seriously as horse racing and just as quickly as you discount French horses you should take note of the Irish runners - the last six Grand National winners have all been from Ireland!

The Fall Guy:
It may seem obvious but selecting a horse with great jumping ability is a must for a Grand National pick. If when you check out a horses form you see lots of F's (Fell) and U's (Unseated Rider) in the form column then simply give it wide berth.

Grand National Tips 

If you don't fancy picking a winner yourself, or you just haven't got time to read the form guides then I why not get Red Rum to pick one for you.

Try out this cool virtual Grand National horse selector.

Red Rum's Grand National Tips

Grand National

"No French horse has won the Grand National for 100 years!"

Free Grand National Bets 



The big race day is getting closer so why not take advantage of the bookies generosity now and claim a free bet on the Grand National.

ToteSport Bookmakers are offering a £25 free bet, New customers - simply sign up for a totesport account, place your first bet with a stake between £5 & £25 and they will credit your account with an equivalent free bet. It's as easy as that!

Click Here For Free Bet

Grand National Day 

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Grand National Video 

Horse Racing Kills (Again)

Runtime: 1:59 | 45563 views | 274 Comments

 

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UK Horse Racing News 

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Aintree Race Course Map 

Find out where the Grand National is run

Wikipedia Grand National Entry 

The Grand National is a famous National Hunt horse race which is held at Aintree in England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of about 4 miles and 856 yards British Racing and Racecourses (ISBN 978-0950139722) by Marion Rose Halpenny - Page 167 (approximately 7¼ km), and during its running there are thirty fences to be jumped. It is presently scheduled to take place each year on a Saturday afternoon in early April.

It is the most valuable National Hunt event in Great Britain, and in 2009 it offered a total prize fund of £900,000. The race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. It is also one of the most controversial, due to the injuries and fatalities suffered by participating horses. This makes it a target for animal rights groups, which have campaigned to have it banned. In one hundred and sixty-two runnings of the race there have been fifty-eight equine fatalities, four of which came in one year, 1954. One jockey has also lost his life as a result of injuries sustained in the race. ISBN 978-1-905156-43-6 A?Z of The Grand National

Grand National Wallpaper

Grand National Runners

You can view all the latest Grand National runners at http://www.grand-national.me.uk

Grand National Blog 

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