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Silver proves National is still a lottery
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 23:36:35 GMT

NEVER throw any old horses out, you have no idea when you might need one of them to win the Grand National.

HRA pledge to end starting concerns
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 23:36:35 GMT

THE Horseracing Regulatory Authority has vowed to eradicate the potential starting problems which threatened to wreck the Grand National on Saturday.

Irish in wonderland as Birch brings back the National
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:25:27 GMT

A TYRO Irish trainer barely a year into his solo career with a horse sold as a reject from a British yard won a thrilling John Smith's Grand National at Aintree yesterday.

Aintree's makeover tops the lot in fashion stakes
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:25:27 GMT

IF DR Who or Sam Tyler or any other of television's time travellers dropped into Aintree yesterday after, say, a two or three decades' absence, they simply wouldn't recognise the place.

Blinkers are on, so fast-improving Billyvoddan eyes National prize
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:06:22 GMT

THE Grand National comes with few guarantees, but if the previous 159 runnings are anything to go by the one thing we can be sure about is that whichever horse eventually lords it over his rivals will have a tale to tell.

Odds stacked against repeat win
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:06:22 GMT

IT'S just as well the ability to read doesn't figure among Numbersixvalverde's talents, otherwise last year's winner might conclude he'd have been as well staying at home in County Clare rather than going to all the trouble of boarding a ferry and...

Saunders leads distinguished line of audacious amateurs
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:06:22 GMT

IF YOU have to be daft to be a goalkeeper, how many sandwiches short of a picnic must you be to risk life and limb by riding in the Grand National?

Joes Edge may be best backed ever for Aintree showpiece
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:11:49 GMT

JOES Edge remains favourite for tomorrow's 2007 John Smith Grand National after he crept into the race at the 48-hour final declaration stage.

Miinnehoma returns to scene of glory
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:11:49 GMT

IF A brilliant jockey could encapsulate a career of 1,699 British winners in one ride, then Richard Dunwoody would point to 9 April, 1994.

Ideal conditions prime Aintree for Mac attack
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:27:35 GMT

PROVEN form over the mighty Aintree fences and value-for-money odds are vital when it comes to the Grand National and several who line up tomorrow for the biggest race of the year come into that category.

How to place a bet on the Grand National
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:27:35 GMT

1: On entering your local bookmakers, pick up a blank betting slip, normally located in holders or dispensers around the walls of the shop.

Mighty Man can illustrate power
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:13:31 GMT

IF CHELTENHAM is the arena which can leave a horse's reputation in tatters, Aintree might be looked upon as the place where the poor beast gets an opportunity to stitch it back together again.

Hedge your bets
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:42:08 GMT

HEDGEHUNTER heads the 40 declared runners for the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday. The Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-old will shoulder top weight of 11st 12lb in his bid to regain his crown in the nation-stopping four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

Dobbin back in National reckoning
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:23:31 GMT

IT THREATENED to be a pretty miserable anniversary but it looks as if Tony Dobbin will be fit to ride in Saturday's John Smith's Grand National after all.

Carefully refining your Grand National selections can pay off even if you don't end up a millionaire
Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:19:45 GMT

PAY attention! This column could well enhance your wealth. Only by a few quid, but that's better than nothing.