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The Grand National Steeplechase - 2004 and 2005

(page includes photos and videos)

-----2004-----

Saturday 3rd April 2004

An email from Tanya
"The Grand National in on this weekend
That is the big steeplechase remember
After careful consideration and checking jockeys colours and horse names etc,
I have decided that my money will be on "Le Coudray"
I wonder why!
It is currently at 25/1
I also thought that I might put some money on "What's Up Boys"
because its a grey horse and I like grays
There aren't many of them around
Wish me luck
T"
......and another note
"Then I went and put my money down on "Le Coudray"
(The Grand National Steeplechase)
but I think that horse must run and jump like a Coudrey cause it came nowhere
Never mind!"


Three Magical Days
"The most celebrated, most talked about, most magical race"

The Martell Cognac Grand National - Saturday
Undoubtedly the climax of the 3 day meeting,
Martell Cognac Grand National day is packed full of excitement, tradition and anticipation
A single word cannot describe the emotion of this world-class day
Over 600 million people worldwide watch the race and at Aintree, over 65,000 spectators will be witnessing another chapter unfold in Grand National history
In 2003, the performance by Monty's Pass, crossing the winning line over 12 lengths ahead of Supreme Glory, ensured that thousands of Irish visitors returned home jubilant
This day is not just for the racing enthusiast but for everyone looking for an unforgettable day out

Here is the winner......


'Amberleigh House' won the 2004 Grand National
to give Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain a fairytale fourth victory
in the world's most famous steeplechase

......and here are Tanya's bets......

......and what happened???

Where they finished?
Thirty-nine horses set off in the 2004 Martell Cognac Grand National
but only 11 finished
All horses returned safely after the thirty fences

"LE COUDRAY" - unseated at fence 22
"WHAT'S UP BOYS" - brought down at fence 6

......one of Tanya's horses


Richard Johnson on 'What's Up Boys' at Bechers Brook
is one of 28 horses that fail to finish,
but all return safely to the stables

-----2005-----

Saturday 9th April 2005

An email from Tanya
"The Grand National
I got Innox in the sweep at work if you want to have a look
Le Coudray is running again but she let me down last year - the old nag!!
- so I am not putting any money on!!
Tanya"

Hedgehunter wins Grand National
Pre-race favourite Hedgehunter, ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the 158th running of the Grand National at Aintree

Here is the winner......

......and what happened to Tanya's horse???

Out of a total of 40 horses that started the 2005 John Smith's Grand National,
21 of them finished

"INNOX" - finished the race - in 7th position
and
what about the other horse that let her down last year
by being unseated at fence 22
Well, this year
"LE COUDRAY" - pulled up at fence 21
As Tanya wrote in her email - "the old nag!!"

TWO VIDEOS

Windows Media Player required
If the video does not play, you most probably have an older version installed
Version #9 is necessary, and it can be downloaded for free by clicking here
* make sure your speakers are on

CLICK HERE
Replay - Watch the 2005 Grand National
Relive the excitement of the 2005 Grand National which saw Hedgehunter
ridden by Ruby Walsh romp to victory by 14 lengths

CLICK HERE
Analysis - How did your horse fare in the National?
Watch fence-by-fence analysis of the big race to see what happened to your horse