Ruby Walsh was the punters pal again as he gave the favourite
Hedgehunter a masterful ride to make amends for last year's last-fence
fall. He hunted up the leaders just off the pace throughout before
taking it up with three to jump, and from then on was always in
command. Carrie
Ford, bidding to become the first woman to win the Grand National
in its 166-year history, finished a gallant fifth on Forest Gunner.
"It was brilliant to get round,
and it was only at the last that we found out that he didn't stay,
but guts and determination saw him through to the end." - Carrie Ford. "He
gave Valentines first time a fair old clout, but after that he was
going super all the way. I thought to myself that whatever happens
I wouldn't move until the elbow. When we got there, away he went -
brilliant." - Ruby Walsh.
Have
a laugh and an interest in Saturday's Grand National by simply
printing out the list of contenders and getting people signed up
to play. This sweepstake kit for the big race at Aintree should
be up and running early on Thursday afternoon.
Tips, information and
sound advice from professional gambler and multi-millionaire Colin
Davey that will hopefully tip the odds in your favour when backing
racehorses in the UK.
Amberleigh
House and Graham Lee win the Grand National for Ginger McCain. Clan
Royal finishes second,
with Lord Atterbury third and Monty's Pass fourth. Hedgehunter fell
at the last when a close-up third. Thirty-nine horses set off, but
only 11 finished.
On Tuesday February
26, 1839, Lottery became the first winner of The Grand National.
In those days the field had to jump a stone wall (now the water jump),
cross a stretch of plough land and finish over two hurdles.
Clan Royal's owner
JP McManus admitted he thought his charge had done enough to win
the Grand National. Rhinestone Cowboy got up in the shadow of the
post to land the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.
Aintree have announced
major plans for a £30 million redevelopment which will include new
grandstands, a parade ring and winner's enclosure for the home of
the Grand National. The project will be completed in two phases and
the whole job is expected to be finished in time for the 2007 National
fixture.
Rhinestone Cowboy
got up in the shadow of the post to land the Martell Cognac Aintree
Hurdle. Deposed champion Moscow Flyer began his climb back to the
top with a scintillating win in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase
at Aintree on Friday. Tiutchev foiled First Gold's attempt to win
a third Martell Cognac Cup with victory in the hands of Tony McCoy
at Aintree.
Up-to-the-minute information from
Aintree Racecourse - The latest horseracing news, fixtures, racecards,
results and information on the non-racing events from the home of
the world's greatest steeplechase, The Martell Grand National