The famous Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool last Saturday lived up to its testing four and a half mile, thirty fence reputation.
It was anybody’s race a couple of fences from home, and even at the last fence it was neck and neck, but all credit must go to the stable crew that got Mon Mome there and jockey Liam Treadwell who, riding for trainer Venetia Williams, was on his first ‘National’ mount.

On the home run in Liam created a twelve length space between Mon Mome and the runner up at the post.
Carrying 11 stone he was a few pounds better off than some but there were quite a few carrying less, which helps enormously over such a distance. Even so, a handicap supposed is supposed to give all an equal chance in the weight department.
If you were reading the info about the horse you could wonder why the odds stayed out at 100-1 … “Mon Mome is generally a good jumper and has a proven record over this distance.”
Knowing the course is fine if you are a jockey, and some walk the course first to understand it. The horse, unless it’s been there before and has a remarkable memory is faced with the unknown.
Some fences have a take off level higher than the landing level and some visa versa, unseen by the horse until it happens, which must require some degree of mid-air adjustment by the hard working animal when faced with the looming landing height!

It was the bookies day, why don’t try not to let them have another good day this week, go for it

later mav
My Chinese friend asked me when my horse was running,
I said “Two thirty.
He said, “You shouldn’t be here then, you should be at the dentist.”

yea, I know, my jokes are my handicap.