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 [...]
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 [...]
Although the Centenary Novices’ Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival next week is a handicap, such is the strength in depth of the entries that it is quite likely that there will be little more than 7lbs between the top and bottom weights, giving the race a slightly surreal feel, writes Elliot [...]
We are used to seeing the odd jockeys challenge where the Flat boys take on the National Hunt lads – all of those usually take place on the level but such is the pull to have a Festival winner, there are a few of the Flat brethren who chance their arms with a ride at [...]
Brave Totesport Trophy hero Recession Proof has been confirmed a definite runner in the opening race at the forthcoming Cheltenham 2011 Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, writes Elliot Slater. John Quinn’s five-year-old put up a tremendous performance for a first-season novice to get the better of fellow northern challenger Bothy in a thrilling finish to [...]
Champion trainer Richard Hannon has been speaking about the plans and aspirations for his high-class stable star Canford Cliffs, and looking forward excitedly to the 2011 campaign, writes Elliot Slater. Hannon reports that the four-year-old has wintered very well indeed and has come back into training looking “bigger and better” with hopes very high that [...]
Paul Nicholls appears to have deliberately eased off the gas in recent weeks, giving many of his horses a slight breather before the forthcoming challenges of the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, but the signs are that he means business again on Saturday where he sends out leading contenders for both the Aon Chase and Game [...]
