The 2017 Grand National: Horse Racing's Shining Moment
As all Irish horseracing fans know, the minute the winner is declared at Cheltenham - this year it was Sizing John, trained by Kildare-based Jessica Harrington and jockeyed by Robbie Power - all eyes turn to Aintree Racecourse in anticipation of the one and only Grand National. Part of the annual Grand National Festival - the most important part most would say - this year's Grand National race will be run on Saturday 8 April, with Grand Opening Day on Thursday the 6th and Ladies Day on Friday the 7th.
Great Races at Aintree
The three days of the Grand National Festival are packed with brilliant races, as follows:
Thursday, 6 April, Grand Opening Day 2017
1:40 pm Aintree Manifesto Novices Chase
2:15 pm Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle
2:50 pm Betfred Bowl
3:25 pm Aintree Hurdle
4:05 pm Foxhunters Chase
4:40 pm Red Rum Handicap Chase
5:15 pm Aintree Mares Flat Race
Friday, 7 April, Ladies Day
1:40 pm Aintree Handicap Hurdle
2:15 pm Aintree Top Novices Hurdle
2:50 pm Betfred Mildmay Novices
3:25 pm Aintree Melling Chase
4:05 pm Topham Steeple Chase
4:40 pm Sefton Novices Hurdle
5:15 pm Champion Standard NH Flat Race
Saturday, 8 April, Grand National Day
1:45 pm Aintree Handicap Hurdle
2:25 pm Mersey Novices Hurdle
3:00 pm Maghull Novices Chase
3:40 pm Liverpool Hurdle
4:20 pm Betfred Handicap Chase
5:15 pm Randox Health Grand National
6.10 pm Aintree Conditional Handicap Hurdle
Betting is Always a Thrill ahead of the Grand National
So many elements go into making the Grand National the epic race that it is; however, suspense is perhaps the most powerful factor. Due to the Grand National course - and its mega-challenging fences, such as The Chair, Becher's Brook, and Canal Turn - it is almost impossible to predict the winner, despite the many online sites, such as William Hill, that offer ante-post odds that are based on history, pedigree, and training. Last year's Grand National is the ultimate case in point, with only one horse - second-place finisher The Last Samuri - starting the race with "short" odds at 8-1. Winner Rule The World had pre-race odds of 33-1; third-place finisher Vics Canvas began the race at 100-1; and Gilgamboa, who finished fourth, had ante-post odds that were set at 28-1. Due to the unpredictability, the betting is always fierce before the Grand National and savvy punters know where to place Grand National bets - William Hill.
