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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