Gearing up for Aintree
The land on which Aintree Racecourse in England now stands once belonged to William Philip Molyneux, who was the second Earl of Sefton. It was Molyneux who founded the prestigious Aintree Grand National. It is said that the first race was run in 1836, with a spectacular horse by the name of The Duke winning the event for two years consecutively. Since its inception the Aintree Grand National has grown into one of the leading events in the National Hunt horse racing industry.
Run over a distance of just over seven kilometers, horses participating in the Aintree Grand National will face thirty fences. Hosted by the Aintree Racecourse each April, this year’s event will take place on 10 April 2010. A host of deserving horses have been entered into the race, and amongst the hundred and twelve entries, three names stand out, namely Silver Birch, Mon Mome and Comply or Die. Silver Birch was victorious at the Aintree Grand National in 2007, with Comply or Die taking the title in 2008, and Mon Mome being crowed last year’s winner. With names such as these looking at competing, this spectacular event for six-year-old horses and older, is gearing up to be a spectacular event.
Other names to take note of are Big Fella, State of Play, War of Attrition and My Will that placed third in 2009. War of Attribution is also the 2006 winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and trainer David Pipe has entered another eight horses, over and above Comply or Die. Trainers such as Paul Nicholls, Venetia Williams and Gordon Elliot will also be seen on race day. Speculation and excitement is building with every passing day leading up to the 2010 Aintree Grand National, as so many top class horses have entered this year. Speaking to the media, Phil Smith, from the British Horseracing Authority, commented on the entries saying: “There are more horses rated 140 or above among the entries in this year’s race than in the previous 11 years that I have handicapped the contest.”
