The Grand National is famous for challenging the skill of both horse and rider. It began when an entrepreneurial innkeeper sponsored a hare coursing event that proved so successful he leased land in Aintree with the purpose of hosting regular race meetings. It was advertised for “gentlemen” riders, but horses from all backgrounds were eligible. The horse that placed second would receive its stake back while the winner would be sold. It was popular from the start. The Grand National has grown since its first race in 1839 to become the most celebrated and grueling steeplechase in the world. The race was subsequently renamed The Grand National, The Liverpool and The National Handicap Steeplechase. In 1847 it was finally titled The Grand National Handicap Steeplechase. 
Grand National Level Weight 3Y C - Gr 1Grand National Level Weight 3Y F - Gr 1Grand National A Division 4-7Y F - Gr 1Grand National A Division 4-7Y C - Gr 1Saddle up- and rope your friends into the Grand National too! The future of horse racing is online at RaceClubs.com
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Celebrate The Grand National experience with Raceclubs.com and you will experience the best virtual horse racing game ever!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Preview the runners in tonight's St Leger Challenge Final 3YO Colts
 St Leger Challenge Final 3YO Colts  3200m Turf 30th March 2011Last Season's Final
 Without doubt the best three year old colt in training. Creative Chaos will be featruing prominently in both finals over classic and staying distances and is not without a chance of winning both and cleaning up. It is likely that his challenge career will end in this race so as is always with one that may be too weighty for a hilt in future season's, he would like to go out with a bang. The yard is strong in this race.
If any horse is going to rain on Creative Chaos' parade in this race, it will be Chicarito. You would probably get very short odds on the stable winning this with his two muscular entries. The trip is of no consequence for him and he is sure to handle the going with relish. I would go as far to say that he will beat his stable mate in this race. If there is a one-two for the yard, that wouldn't suprise me either.
 Herminator is a competant horse on a yielding track. He has never been out of the money when running yielding and this race would be very lucrative to continue that good form. The unfortunate thing for Herminator is that he is a horse who will not stay this extended trip and on that, must be opposed.
Yabba Dabba Do is another horse that will enjoy the underfoot conditions but like Herminator before him, the jury is out whether 3200m is trip he can handle. He has only ran over the trip during his juvenile season and it is hard to read that form if he were being sand bagged. I get the impression he wasn't doing such a thing and he could struggle here.
 No such worries with the trip for Nashville Boy as he will take this trip with relative ease. The concern is the going and his lack of efforts on it. The expensive auction buy has failed to deliver the goods for his yard in a final, bar his fourth place finish in a Ladbrokes final and it looks like he will have to wait another season in hope of a challenge title that his talent definately deserves.
 Sixth in the juvenile last season looked a sound enough effort in defeat. He doesn't have the greatest form over 3200m and a yielding surface is likely to favour some of his closest rivals here. All in all, the race could be a little too hot to handle and despite a probable good effort from the yard, he is likely to be more midfield than a championship contender.
Emprise To Avalon is a horse that would have benefitted with a surface void of any rain by the looks of things. His obvious liking to the trip helps his cause here but his only effort on a yielding track is a form line that is dificult to survey. I think his chance lies if all others fail and he may not be the one for the yard in this.
Chew Stoke will be making his challenge final debut in this race. He has winning form over the trip on a firm and muddy going, proving his versatility. This race will need to see him at his very best. The going of yielding has not posed any threat to him in the past and with a little luck in the race he could be a lively outsider for the championship. He has done well for the yard since his auction purchase and he may continue to do so in this race.
Ran Creative Chaos to a length and a half when fourth behind in the classic juvenile final over a far shorter trip last season. His two other finals have come on a muddy surface and his runs in them have been below par. There maybe better horses in this race over the trip and for me the task for this horse looks a difficult one.
Emperor Alexander was a consistent horse at last seasons festival and will look to continue the trend this term with an appearance in The Derby as well as this Leger final. He has only ever had the one qualifying race over the trip of 3200m and that fact pays to think that he will not secure a run in this. I just don't think he is as highly regarded over the marathon distance as much as he is over 2850m.
Tannery is another horse in the race that will be making a first start in a challenge final. His lack of yielding runs may look a bit sparse on the face of things but that may not be a statistic to be taken in a negative way. He has the necessary form on soft going to indicate he may well be as effective on yielding. His auction price seems a snip and his trainer has an eye for this type of runner and he is sure to go well. The trip is right up his street, so can we expect a bold show.
Northerly Sky has been unfortunate in the challenge finals of the past, running midfield in most. The horse will have difficulty with the trip and for me is the weakest of the three runners in the race that carry the famous black and yellow colours. We can't expect this one to be in the shake up at the line.
Last season saw Selwyn's Bog fly the flag for the Squeaky Clean Stable and he tackles familiar company here, looking to score an impressive double by taking the three year old crown. Unfortunately, it will not be the same outcome as last term. He will struggle to stamp any authority on the race. I'm not convinced that the going or trip are to his strengths and success here is going to be extremely difficult.
Tie The Knot is definately the pick of the trio from the yard, if form is anything to go by. He likes the trip but it appears that the going has come to his weakness. Although maybe not as strong on the going, he has been very unlucky in my opinion and would have been a contender bar for that. This race is not looking like being one for the Sky Castle yard. Best watched. |
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Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile Fillies Preview @ Raceclubs.com
| Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile Fillies  3200m Dirt 30th March 2011Last Season's Final
This Season's Contenders
Divine Diva has so many good horses it is often a shame to see championship runners carrying so many weight penalties. Divine Sensation is no exception. It is likely that the horse will get the 3200m and with so many fillies that struggle at this trip it is still not beyond her running well. 126lbs will be difficult to win off in any championship final and the same will apply here.
Miss Fergie has ran a few tidy races at 3200m on a muddy track. She is another tarred by conceding weight. She is a very similar runner to Divine Sensation and the comments made would apply to her also. Could run well but would have run better with a lighter weight.
Maktree has run a couple on a muddy surface and it doesn't appear that she handles the surface too well. She has participated in two challenge finals this term and has run down the field. An improvement in this would have been on the cards if we were on a turf track and this race may see a struggle to cope with the sticky conditions.
Queen Of Chelt drew my attention when she was put to auction. The final hammer price was a little too much for me on that day and my interest in here was obviously given a boost when she went to the champions yard, so I must have been doing something right. I like her chance in this but she may not have enough boot to compete with her stable companion.
Special Reserve has given her owner a run for their money in both challenge finals she has appeared in this term. Her lack of races over 3200m suggests that she doesn't stay the marathon distance and could well be struggling to go with some of these. Preperations for next season may already be in place at the Bottlebrush yard.
Lozza has racked up three wins this season and will run here with a 4lb penalty, provididng she doesn't win the classic. She is likely to be better suited at the classic final distance of 2400m and this trip could well be too far for her. She looks a tidy enough filly but this race is set up for the out and out stayer and I just don't think Lozza is one of them.
Danish Dictionary is certainly suited by the trip but whether she is suited to the conditions is another story. She only has a maiden race line of form on the surface and failed to win there so with that in mind you would have to think that the going has come wrong for her. A fast track was likely to suit her better and she is another one that you can safely say will not be winning this.
Tint Of Class looks solid enough and will relish the trip but like Danish Dictionary before her, would probably have been at her best on a faster surface. She did run well enough though, in an earlier qualifier on a yielding surface, to indicate she may not be a hopeless chance when there is a little give beneath. She will probably run well enough without scoring.
Zulu Raid is just not going to stay the trip and is far better in when they tackle a 2850m. She may be able to handle the going but seems a little stronger on a more sound surface, so generally things have not quite worked out this season for this filly. Look to see more from her next season under level conditions.
She put in a right good effort in the Ladbrokes Monthly Final when fourth behind The Great Pyramid. She is one of a few that will easily take this trip in her stride, making her a strongish fancy for this race. The dounbt that she can win this sets in when we consider the going. Muddy may not exactly be what she would have liked to produce her best and for that reason she is likely to miss out on championship glory. She is still a threat in the race and should go very well.
The Ladbrokes Monthly champ is carrying far too much weight in this to have any sort of chance. She may not have been considered by her yard as able to get this trip which has influenced their decision to run her regularly. She is an obvious classy filly evident by her runs against the older horses and she is definately one to watch next season. Easily opposed in this race.
City Of Dreams got into this race off the back of just two runs. She is an obvious choice to hold solid claims on a muddy track. The only negative you can find with this horse is the lack of true form over the trip. I have a sneaky feeling she can run well but I am not too sure that she has the extra lung capacity to last home. Sitting on the fence with this one, it could go either way.
Bag it once, bag it twice but bag it as much as the champion has with this one and you know there is a big run in this baby. She could be entering this race already a challenge champ, however, the fast going in the classic is stark contrast to this going but she will definately have her switch turned for her full attention on this race. Of course she can win but as we have seen so many times in the past with one of the champs more fancied runners, they often don't get the run of the race. I think she will run extremely well.
The Greatest Day's chances in this race relied too much on a fast going. The muddy track will ultimately prove her downfall. Should the going had come in her favour then I would be confidently tipping this one up as potential champion. The trip holds no fear but for the second challenge final running she has not be shone upon by the random Gods. Look to next season for a lot more in the way of success. |
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Sunday, March 27, 2011
Extended: Challenge Series Tipping Closes 18:30 (GMT) Monday on Raceclubs.com
Due to popular demand the deadline for RaceClubs.com's 29th Season Challenge Series Tipping Competition has been extended until18:30 (GMT) Monday, Mar 28, 2011. Click Here to submit your FREE tipping entry and WIN! RaceClubs.com has created the most exciting tipping competition for the 29th season’s Challenge Series. It’s free to enter and its worth £310.00 bonus credits. All you have to do is tip the horses that you think will win their respective Challenge Series races. Rules are simple: Tipping is easy: The challenge is tipping the winning horses. Monday, March 28, 2011 Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Wednesday, March 30, 2011
One entry per player. Entry is free.
The total prize is £310.00 bonus credits. Winner takes all.
The tipster with the most correct selections wins the £310.00 bonus credits prize.
In the event of a tie the prize will be shared between the winners.
The following template allows you to tip your horses in order of their races.
Copy your selections under the designated Challenge Series Tipping Competition thread in the Competitions Forumbefore 18:30 (GMT) Monday, Mar 28, 2011.
All entries must be submitted through the designated forum thread.
The competition will be kindly managed by Celtic F.C.
That’s eighteen races over three days filled with 252 potential champions.
It begins with you studying their racing form today!
Sprinters Challenge Final Juvenile C
Sprinters Challenge Final Juvenile F
Nunthorpe Sprint Final 3Y C - Gr 1
Nunthorpe Sprint Final 3Y F - Gr 1
Newbury Colts Sprint Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Newbury Fillies Sprint Challenge Final 4-7Y F
Classic Challenge Final Juvenile C
Classic Challenge Final Juvenile F
The Derby 3Y C - Gr 1
The Oaks 3Y F - Gr 1
Queen Elizabeth Classic Challenge Final 4-7Y F
King George Classic Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile C
Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile F
St Leger Challenge Final 3Y C
St Leger Challenge Final 3Y F
Cesarewitch Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Cesarewitch Challenge Final 4-7Y F
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It's free, it's fun and its worth $500! If you know your virtual horses you will win $500 in Raceclubs.com's free to enter Tipping Competition.
Click Here to submit your FREE tipping entry and WIN!
RaceClubs.com has created the most exciting tipping competition for the 29th season’s Challenge Series. It’s free to enter and its worth £310.00 bonus credits. All you have to do is tip the horses that you think will win their respective Challenge Series races.
Rules are simple:
One entry per player. Entry is free.
The total prize is £310.00 bonus credits. Winner takes all.
The tipster with the most correct selections wins the £310.00 bonus credits prize.
In the event of a tie the prize will be shared between the winners.
Tipping is easy:
The following template allows you to tip your horses in order of their races.
Copy your selections under the designated Challenge Series Tipping Competition thread in the Competitions Forum before Sunday, March 27, 2011 19:00 (GMT).
All entries must be submitted through the designated forum thread.
The competition will be kindly managed by Celtic F.C.
The challenge is tipping the winning horses.
That’s eighteen races over three days filled with 252 potential champions.
It begins with you studying their racing form today!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sprinters Challenge Final Juvenile C
Sprinters Challenge Final Juvenile F
Nunthorpe Sprint Final 3Y C - Gr 1
Nunthorpe Sprint Final 3Y F - Gr 1
Newbury Colts Sprint Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Newbury Fillies Sprint Challenge Final 4-7Y F
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Classic Challenge Final Juvenile C
Classic Challenge Final Juvenile F
The Derby 3Y C - Gr 1
The Oaks 3Y F - Gr 1
Queen Elizabeth Classic Challenge Final 4-7Y F
King George Classic Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile C
Stayers Challenge Final Juvenile F
St Leger Challenge Final 3Y C
St Leger Challenge Final 3Y F
Cesarewitch Challenge Final 4-7Y C
Cesarewitch Challenge Final 4-7Y F
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Preview the royal lineup in the Queen Elizabeth Classic Final for 4-7YO Fillies before tipping your winners. You could win $500!
| Queen Elizabeth Classic Final 4-7YO Fillies 2400m Turf 29th March 2011Last Season's Final
This Season's Contenders
Legend Of The Sea is more effective over an 1800m or 2200m trip. Her wins are starting to add up so look beyond this race and a switch back to 2200m that will suit her far better. She will struggle to go the extra 200m on level terms and with a concession of weight to a good few others, her chance in this race is closer to zero than hero.
Xtreme Diva looks capable of handling a soft surface but whether it is her optimum level is a lot to be disired. Nevertheless, she is a contender in almost every race she runs and is already a dual challenge champion and she runs in two finals this term also. She is likely to favour her chance in the stayers race rather than this but ultimately she remains a threat. She may find one or two in the race that will relish the going, each way chances for sure.
Heart Of Greed was a very expensive filly at auction during her juvenile season but has found her way to the Sky Castle yard for a fifth of that price. Her level of consistency is a joy to behold in challenge finals and although she has never scored a victory, her runs have been rewarded with a third in The Oaks and a second place in this race last season. It could be argued that her ability over 2400m is not quite as good as 2200m but she is no means a no hoper over the trip. She has never won at the distance and it is hard to see her breaking her duck here.
Passion Flower is another filly who has found it tough to score a victory over this trip. In fourteen attempts, she has ran close on many occasions, only to find one or two too good on the day. Although she has had many outings on soft ground, it is not her optimum surface and put all the factors together and it provides a definitive guide to suggest that she will not be winning here. She was a cheap buy at auction and is surely going to repay the investment ten fold.
It is unsual to see a horse that has competed in a Ladbrokes Monthly over the minimum trip, contest a final nearly two and half times the distance. We will not focus too much on her chances in this race. She doesn't stay, she has too much weight and the fact that her trainer has recently scored a Monday Madness WFA race win with her is a tip in itself. No chance in a race dominated by horses that do get the trip.
In her two finals to date, she hasn't had the best of luck in running. Her sixth place in The Oaks was an eye catcher but that was over a trip far better suited. She is another who falls into the category of not seeing out the extended classic distance and can also be overlooked. She is one that likes the going but that is no consolation if she doesn't stay.
Natalia From Mosc looks very tasty in this field carrying the minimum weight allowance. She would be an instant selection but were it for the fact that she has had limited experience on a soft track. She will certainly get the trip and what experience she has had on soft will need to be put to good use here. She cannot be omitted from having a squeak each way in the race but I would have looked to be more positive about her chance if the ground had come a little less mucky. I still believe she is a talent and she may even go close but her bigger effort might be saved for the Cesarewitch.
Surrounde lines up to defend her crown in this, a race she won well last term and she will not be forced into submission in this without a fight. It is certain that she will have no concern with the trip and given that she is a very effective muddy runner and has shown more than glimpes of her ability to handle a soft going, she must be a championship contender again. If she can transfer her form to the switch in conditions it may be a case of back-to-back success in the race. A few are coming to this festival looking to defend a title and of them all I would go as far to say that she is the strongest contender.
This is a first end of season challenge final appearance for Lucifers Mistress. She comes into the race with only one noteable line of form on a soft going, which makes it very awkward to assess her ability to handle the going. She did finish second behind Heart Of Greed over the shorter trip on that occasion and although that form may look good, on paper at least, it doen't really give many indicators and she may be best watched in this. Her five wins have kept the weight off and that must be a plus factor.
Arguably one of the most unluckiest horses in the race in terms of being let down by the Gods that dictate the going. There is no doubting her quality and ability to handle a stiff test over 2400m. The doubt comes when you consider that soft going is not going to help her cause in this race one single bit. I really would like to see her prove me wrong but the random has already put her in a position of noticeable disadvantage. I firmly believe that there is a challenge championship in her but it is not likely to come in this race. Maybe her crowning glory will come in the Cesarewitch.
Classic champion as a juvenile on a muddy surface will bode well when she goes to post. She has probably got the best line of soft going form of any in the race and a little transfer of ability from the dirt kickback will go a long way in proving that here. She only competed in four races to get to this final which is a measure of her consistency. The more I look at her, the more I get the feeling that she was brought to this race for a soft going and I think she could have exactly what is required to win the race. A major player.
We are looking at a bit of an all rounder here. Majestic Fantasy has proven her worth on most goings and has some winning form to boot. She did get the better of stable mate, Queen Of Satan, in a similar event on soft going but the way the race ran you would have to think that on the face of it, Queen Of Satan would have the upper hand. She will stay and is also likely to handle the going. With all that in mind, she has a definite chance in the race.
A champion juvenile, again coming out of the champions yard. She won her title over the marathon 3200m trip on a fast going. You may think that she would be partial to a sounder surface but snippets of form have suggested that she might act well enough to feature in this race. It's not a confident statement and she may have been appearing here with a different game plan in mind but you can never under estimate this type of runner. Low weight to carry is a bonus but her draw is a little unconvincing.
She is the second dual challenge champion in this field, one of which was The Oaks. A muddy track greeted her on that day but it was a fine victory over this trip. She has done most of her better running on a dirt track but one effort over 2400m on a soft going stands out like Peter Crouch cuddling a dwarf. October 12th 2010, was the date and a fine race in second place behind The Path Of Death. A couple of these rivals were behind her and she ran well without the aid of a top jockey allocation. She rates something of a lively outsider for me and Doug will have her best interests in preparing her for this. She could do well. |
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