Grand National

by andrewp on Apr 8, 2011 8:04 PM EDT

The most unique horse race in the world is now less than 15 hours away. 40 runners, 4.5 miles, 30 fences. The one race in the UK where workplaces have sweepstakes to pick the winner, people who back one horse a year have a bet. Horseracing will be front page, back page and centre page pullouts in every national newspaper. Live for 4 hours on BBC1. It can only be the Grand National.

Racing post grand national minisite

Racecard

Youtube of last years race to whet the appetite. (Many other years available on the side bar - 1967, 2001 recommended for their extraordinariness, many others just great races)

Has a reputation as a bit of a lottery and it is to a point - at least for the first eight fences. Once past the Canal Turn. then it becomes what it is these days - a high class handicap (lowest rated runner rated in the 140s) racing for a prize fund of £950,000.

Race off 4.15pm UK - coverage available

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How does the betting work in a race with this many runnners?

Is there a “field” bet or are all 40 offered as individual interests?

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Apr 9, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

The market is all 40 horses

The Tote (PMU) here is set up to cope with a maximum 40 runner field (which happens once a year in this race) and the tote regularly has to cope with 30 runners flat handicaps at newmarket, ascot, goodwood and largeish (24+) fields elsewhere. As such it is a “normal” race for betting purposes.

Bookmakers offer lots of speciality bets too – no of finishers, match bets, small lists of 4 or 5 horses you can bet as a group to complete etc.
Huge amount is bet on the day (about £150M) and claims are made that via betting or office sweeps about half the country has a bet in some shape or form.

(Sorry for the delay in replying. Not long back from being at the races. If you liked cheltenham then this three day meeting worth keeping an eye on for next year – second best jump meeting of the year with many cheltenham horses back for a rematch, and taking on others targetted at the meeting. Two very different tracks, only the very good run well well at both. Lots of grade races, one race a day over the big fences, and all builds up to the National)

by andrewp on Apr 10, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't realize that much is bet on the day...

The Kentucky Derby handles about $110 to 120 million…if my currency conversion is correct, that means the Grand National day handles twice as much as Derby day. Impressive.

"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."

And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace

by Matt Gardner on Apr 11, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Race replay

here

On a beautiful warm spring day the heat made it a searching test – and the winner won the hard way, having been in the van for most of the race. Winner trained by the Donald McCain (son of the trainer of Red Rum – the only 3 time winner of the race) and ridden by Jason Maguire (who was stood down from riding on Thursday due to injuries received in a fall that day making him touch and go to be able to take the ride until Sat morning) That was the happier side of the race.

The days racing exacted a toll though – both equine and human. Two horses regretfully never returned to the stables after the race, and earlier in the day the jockey of a runner in the Novice Chase took a crunching fall, has been taken to hospital with head injuries, and is currently in an induced coma and being monitored. A solemn reminder of the dangers involved in the sport.

by andrewp on Apr 10, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

Peter Toole condition reported as remaining critical but stable

Earlier today

He’s still in an induced coma. He has bleeding on the right-hand side of his brain and also dislocated a shoulder, which has been put back in place. He’s on a ventilator and is due to have a CT (computed tomography) scan tonight. They won’t try to wake him until after that.

Source.

Latest update @ 15.00 UK

They need to give him a CT scan. They won’t wake him up until they have done the scan and if the CT is going to be late they’ll probably do it tomorrow, so there’s no change as it stands.

Source

#getwellsoonpetertoole

by andrewp on Apr 11, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions