At the Randox Grand National 2023, a maximum of 40 runners will compete. It’s happening on Saturday, 15 April at Aintree Racecourse in England at 17:15 BST and if you want to follow it, you can hear commentary on SportNewsCenter Radio 5 live and check for updates on their website/app. The 175th running of this race is sure to be exciting as it usually produces great stories.
Davy Russell’s Uncertain Fate
Davy Russell, a famous jockey in the racing world, seemed to be done with his career four months ago. But, things were far from over and sadly there’s still more to come! At 43 years old, Russell decided to retire in December but only for a short time because he wanted to help out Gordon Elliott (a trainer) when Jack Kennedy (his stablemate) broke his leg.
Robbie Power is teaming up with Galvin to ride the horse owned by Ronnie Bartlett in the National event. He may also get a chance to ride for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud at Aintree. But, last month, during Cheltenham Festival, there was some tension between Robbie and Michael because Michael said that Robbie should prioritize his family instead of coming out of retirement, while Robbie replied that he had no respect for Michael’s opinion either.
Russell was feeling sore, so he decided not to ride Conflated in the Gold Cup. The trainer thought that participating in the Grand National would be a good way for Russell to end his riding career. Sam Waley-Cohen won his last race last year and Noble Yeats is entering it again this time with Sean Bowen. Could they get a double victory? You can check out the Grand National entries and weights, as well as their schedule and SportNewsCenter coverage.
The chances of winning are different for different horses. Corach Rambler has the best chance to win, at 6-1 odds. Noble Yeats is slightly less likely at 8-1 odds, Delta Work even less likely at 10-1 odds and so on up to the horse with the least chance of winning (at 25-1) whose name is Bar. Russell won a race twice with Tiger Roll who was owned by Elliott and O’Leary.
Jessica Harrington’s Fight Against Breast Cancer as she Strives to Complete Her Racing Accomplishments
Jessica Harrington, an Irish horse trainer, has won races like the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, she still needs to win the Grand National to totally complete her accomplishment list. Lifetime Ambition is a horse she suggested as it has already done great in the Grand Sefton Chase earlier this year. Unfortunately, Harrington recently told RTE (a TV station) that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now having chemotherapy treatment.
She was really happy, “I can now see the end of this hard time. I’m so lucky to be living in the countryside where every morning I get to enjoy looking at the lovely horses.”
Since she’s trying to avoid getting any infections, she has chosen not to attend races yet. But, there is still a little more for her to do like having an operation and some radiotherapy before she possibly gets her hair back – which would be great!.
Harrington is a trainer who had the 2019 National runner-up Magic Of Light. Harrington’s friend, Nicky Henderson, has been trying to win the National for 41 years since 1979! If he wins, it would complete his journey. But if he does, he won’t suddenly decide to retire right away. He said, “Well I’m not going to suddenly leap up and say ‘that’s it’ and retire. But on the other hand it would complete the journey, if you like.”
The journey has been tough but I’m still not done. Everyone wants to finish something as successful as possible and that’s what I want to do too.
Fighting to Win
It’s been a long time since a Welsh-trained horse won the Aintree race – it was 1905 when Kirkland came out triumphant. But this year, there are three horses that have a good chance of emerging victorious!
Tim Vaughan from South Glamorgan is entering with Eva’s Oskar which has already proven itself to be a winner at Cheltenham in December. Meanwhile, former Summer Plate champion Francky Du Berlais has been sent by Peter Bowen who operates stables in Pembrokeshire. Finally, Sam Thomas who is also an ex-jockey, will put up Coral Trophy victor Our Power for the race having won the 2008Cheltenham Gold Cup on Denman himself.
Thomas had a scary experience when he was in the helicopter crash back in November, which had injured Dai Walters, the part-owner of Our Power and previous owner of Ffos Las Racecourse. Thomas works on a property owned by Dai near Cardiff and mentions that it has been difficult for him and his family but that he is now home recovering. Everything looks like it will be alright.
He really likes watching horses race and it motivates him to do better with his own horses. Everything is going great, which makes me wonder what would happen if all goes well. In February, Our Power won a horse race at Kempton by a small margin against Flegmatik.
“Making History
“This year has caused me to think about life more carefully,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead. This victory was even more meaningful for him since his 13-year-old son, Jack, passed away in a riding accident last year. The win of Honeysuckle, the horse ridden by Rachael Blackmore, at the Cheltenham Festival last month touched everyone’s hearts. Rachel said: “We all wished that very special kid was here today but he’s watching us from above.”
Two years ago, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey ever to win the National Race with Minella Times for trainer Henry De Bromhead. This time around she has to choose between two horses; Ain’t That A Shame and Gin on Lime, and many people will bet on her selection. Lastly, both Blackmore and De Bromhead want to make history by having another consecutive win in the National Race.
“Ted Walsh
Ted Walsh and his horse Any Second Now have been trying really hard to win the 2020 race. They had a good chance of winning, but unfortunately the coronavirus pandemic cancelled it. The year after that, they still finished third even though they got accidentally knocked over during the race. Lastly, last year they were so close to victory, but sadly got passed just before the finish line.
Walsh, who won a big race called the National in 2000 and was ridden by his son Ruby, has never been scared to speak his mind. Someone once asked him what he thought of those who don’t like horse racing and he said that they should go watch something called Peppa Pig instead.
When Walsh heard that Any Second Now had been chosen as top weight for this year’s race, he was totally surprised.
Celebrating Ancestral Success
Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell, is the favourite to win the National Race after winning the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham twice. Ms Russell was also responsible for training One For Arthur, who won in 2017 and sadly passed away three weeks ago. John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s horse Cape Gentleman has a chance of completing a perfect symmetry of success.
in 2020, Pierre Manigault from America bought the Irish Cesarewitch winner. His great-grandfather, Stephen Sanford, won a big race called the Grand National with his horse Sergeant Murphy back in 1923. Pierre wanted this win to be remembered and so he bought a runner to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of when his great-grandfather won!
