Off Topic Grand National 2016

The greatest horse race in the world is on this weekend!

Confirmed runners:

Many Clouds ***** Last year's winner and looked better than ever at Kelso last time; strong claims for a repeat (8/1).

Silviniaco Conti **** Has class and although sometimes quirky must come into reckoning; solid jumper. (12/1)


First Lieutenant *** Has not won for three years; capable of fair form but well behind Many Clouds a year ago. (33/1)


Wonderful Charm * Likes good ground but has a bit to prove over this trip; inconsistent. (66/1)


Ballynagour **** Well treated on pick of form and signs of return to best recently. (66/1)


O'Faolains Boy ** In and out performer, but no mistaking ability; signs of revival when running well for long way in Gold Cup at Cheltenham. (40/1)

Gilgamboa *** Serious doubts about his stamina; solid jumper and acts on any going. (66/1)

On His Own ** Looking a little one-paced these days and fell during both previous attempts in this race. (40/1)

The Druids Nephew *** Fell 5 out last year when well fancied; retains ability and not without a chance. (16/1)

Triolo D'Alene *** Has had injury problems and not the force he was, but capable and stays well. (33/1)

Rocky Creek ** Unable to get in the picture in 2014 or 2015; hard to see why this year should be much different. (66/1)

Sir Des Champs ** Has had his issues and lacks a bit of pace now; still capable of fair form; should get around. (40/1)

Holywell ***** No question he is well handicapped and showed signs of imminent form revival last time; strong contender. (16/1)

Shutthefrontdoor ** Unable to give AP McCoy the perfect send off when favourite and fifth a year ago; modest form since. (25/1)

Soll *** Tough and consistent; stays really well and loves the mud. Has successfully negotiated the fences on four occasions. (50/1)

Buywise ** Consistent and proficient jumper; type to run well if perhaps not quite being good enough to win. (50/1)

Boston Bob ** Returned to form last time and has to have claims, but tends to be inconsistent. (33/1)

Aachen *** Solid performer and good jumper, but age is against him as only one 12 year-old has won in past 20 years. (100/1)

Morning Assembly *** Looks the right type as he jumps and stays well and has touch of class. Finds winning difficult and last success was in 2013. (33/1)

Double Ross ** Too inconsistent to have much confidence in; has got round both times he has been over these fences. (66/1)

Goonyella *** Stays really well and won Midlands Grand National last year; unseated rider at first on only previous attempt over the fences. (20/1)

Ucello Conti ** Showed modest form in France but has fared a little better since switching stables; more needed though. (33/1)

Unioniste *** An early faller last year; appears best with plenty of give in the ground. (33/1)

Le Reve ** Strong stayer and has recaptured form since being fitted with blinkers; acts on any going. (40/1)

Gallant Oscar ** Capable performer at best but has been well below par this season. (33/1)

OnenightinVienna ** Has shown useful form but has only run four times over fences and experience must surely be an issue. (40/1)

The Last Samurai **** Is progressing well and looks a live contender; appears to act on any going. (12/1)

Kruzhlinin ** Never got into race when distant 10th a year ago; also got round in Becher Chase over the fences in 2014. (25/1)

Rule the World * Hard to fancy; has not won more than 2 years and there are serious stamina doubts. (50/1)

Just a Par *** Useful and on fair mark; looks to be running into form; pulled up in Becher Chase two years ago on only previous try over the fences. (40/1)

Katenko * Rare winner and has not been showing much interest for a while. (66/1)

Vics Canvas *** Fair effort when fifth over the fences in December and certainly one to consider. (66/1)

Black Thunder ** Useful, but appears to run his best races in small fields so this represents a major challenge for him. (50/1)

Ballycasey * Brought down at Canal Turn when a 25-1 chance a year ago; stamina still an unknown. (80/1)

Hadrian's Approach ** Plagued by injuries in recent years and although once smart, he is definitely a light of former days. (66/1)

Vieux Lion Rouge ** Has bits of form that make him a player but is not that consistent. (66/1)

Pendra * Lightly-raced since finishing modest 10th in 2014 Irish National; does not always find much under pressure. (66/1)

Saint Are **** Runner-up in this race twelve months ago and has excellent record over the fences - 4 completions from four attempts. (25/1)

Home Farm ** Not one to trust and has a fair bit to prove over this sort of distance. (100/1)

The Romford Pele ** Useful stayer in 2014, but has had a few problems; two recent hurdles runs hinted that ability is still there. (50/1)



Last years

Brilliant video and gives you some idea what a gruelling and dangerous race this is for both Man and beast

This jockey, Leighton Aspell, is riding Many Clouds again and if he wins, Leighton will become the first jockey to win the National 3 years running

 

It is on channel 4

 

Hairy Buttcheek will win.

 

I'm not into horse racing so never bet big:



You get the e/w for free with Bet365

 

Dont know who to have yet

 

I pick randomly by what name I like the sound of. Do it early to get better odds

 

If I had a race horse I'd name it "slit the sheets" and hope the announcer got tongue twisted in the heat of the moment.

 

Many Clouds will certainlybe on my list

Great Jockey and amazing horse

 

Forgot about this... no ones done a sweepstake at work, not that I ever win anyway.

 

It's a slaughterhouse / killing field for horses like most horse races but especially cruel because of the race's length and the size of the fences

Educate yourselves and bet on something that isn't about torturing horses

 

Always one lol

Last fatality at the National was 2012. I know you like football and the last fatality in that was Aspas being putdown for his corner in 2014

#educateyourself

Also, the horses are tortured that much that they still run this race without a jockey! Amazing!

Fences have also been made a lot safer

 

Not in the main race but there were horse deaths in other support races at the event over the weekend between 2013-2015 ... of course they stand no chance in hell of any publicity since the organisers do everything possible to cover up the deaths in the main one to continue to make the spectacle palatable to the general public, but as I say people should be educating themselves about the cruelty and callousness of the racing industry which prizes these animals as meat for the grinder in order to make big bucks rather than the majestic natural specimens they are ...

And it's not just about actual deaths its about the torturous over-running of the horses beyond what they are comfortable with. Horses like running with other horses, it's natural for them, that's why the dismounts keep going, but you'll notice they're not straining / undergoing forcible straining by a jockey with a whip but going at a pace they are comfortable with and are also able to stop and pull up when they want ... it's the forcing of the horse to run outside it's limits for an unnecessarily gruelling distance over (too) numerous obstacles, several of which are extremely difficult for a fresh horse, nevermind one with four miles in its legs which is the issue here, it's barbaric and a form of torture.

And I'm not saying people shouldn't ride horses, recreational riding and running of horses is good for people and the animals themselves, it's the sadistic racing industry treating the animals like **** that is the issue

I'd prefer to see a piggyback race of LFC rejects

 

I know there was and I dont like it when there is

But horse racing wont stop, and these animals lead a very good life even if it is for greed but a lot of the time it isnt, owners/trainers genuinely love these animals

I know a couple of horses at my mates farm and they are incredible animals, physically and mentally, cant get too close though as im allergic! #truestory

So I hate it when one is put down. A horse with a broken leg/hip whatever cant rest on the sofa though, they need to stand so a professional vet is always there to give their opinion on whats best

You love Amreican Wrestling FFS, thats far more barbaric

 

2 died on opening day today.

 

Yes, very sad

You must realise horse racing in this country is every day, bar Christmas day. How many more you hear about?

One is enough though I agree, but it is the way it is

Would you and @TheStanleyParkSasquatch stop liking boxing if that guy put into a coma had died?

 

Boxers voluntarily get into the ring knowing that they might end up in a coma or dead, they're aware of the potential consequences but take the risk for the great rewards on offer

Horses are forced to race

 

How is WWE more barbaric than horse racing ?! Oh those poor wrestlers, choosing to do what they love and make millions of dollars off it in a year, tbf it takes its toll on there bodies and a lot of them are working matches with quite bad injuries

 

Being hit bya chair? Or a suitcase?

Barbaric mate

 

Again, they still run unseated, whats confusing you about that?

They have a great life (as they should) and the vet offers his advice, Its horrible when one dies but (im not making excuses, theyre amazing animals) with how many races happen, every single day, how oftendoes ithappen?

They love racing, it is what these incredible animal athletes do

 

I dont like boxing. Wasn't moaning about it, they said in the article that the death ratio is 0.2% and the average from horses exercising in the field is 0.3% so it's not a high proportion in comparison is natural deaths.