Paul Townend, currently clear at the top of the Irish jumps jockey’s championship and who had been expected to take the ride on one of the leading lights amongst Willie Mullins’ potential battalion of runners at Aintree on April 9 in the John Smith’s Grand National, looks set to be ruled out of the race [...]
A decade after first taking out a trainer’s licence, legendary Middleham-based trainer Neville Crump really made his name in the world of jump racing thanks to a remarkable mare, Sheila’s Cottage, in 1948. The horse was described as a temperamental mare for whom Crump, nevertheless, had a huge affection. Perhaps Sheila’s Cottage was something of [...]
The Grand National has thrown up some remarkably heart-warming tales over its 172-year history. But there are also many tales of poignant tragedy – some of which are made more palatable only by the passing of time. One such example is the tragic story of the Irish Wynne family’s association with the National. The first [...]
Over its long history, the Grand National has thrown up many heroes; some famous legends from the world of racing – and some whose fame rests almost exclusively with the great race. Of the many jockeys whose name was made almost solely by his association with the Grand National is Brian Fletcher. In 1968, the [...]
Following the excitement of another fantastic Cheltenham Festival the racing world now turns it attention to the world-famous John Smith’s Grand National 2011 at Aintree. As the race edges closer punters will be looking to the news emanating form the training yards for clues to the favoured runners and riders in order to select their [...]
Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen is still riding the crest of a wave after his tremendous performance in partnering the majestic Long Run to a famous success in last week’s Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he could potentially be in position to land the highest profile jumps race in the world when he partners his father’s [...]
Of the 82 horses still listed as possible runners in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9, only two are mares, one of which is the James Motherway-trained Bluesea Cracker, who seems likely to be given the green light to take her chance in the big race and strike a blow for [...]
Top class sport in the UK doesn’t come cheap and quite often sports mad fans in this country have to make the decision as to what events that can afford to attend. Well now in what must be an unprecedented move for British sport is an opportunity to visit 25 of the countries racecourses for [...]
Quality rather than quantity is the watchword as the five-day declarations for the Champion Hurdle have been revealed with a maximum of 13 horses set to go in search of the hurdles crown on the opening day of next week’s eagerly anticipated Cheltenham Festival, writes Elliot Slater. There were no major surprises amongst the absentees, [...]
At this stage 12 months ago no Cheltenham Festival contender was receiving more column inches than Dunguib and he looked like making a big splash at racing’s showpiece event. Philip Fenton’s stable star lined up as odds on favourite for the opening Supreme Novice hurdle and he was considered to be the banker of the [...]
