Grand National Blog

2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time has been ruled out of this year’s race after suffering tendon damage.

Trainer Martin Lynch stated earlier today that the horse will not run again this season but as the injury is slight connections are hopeful that the horse will make a full recovery and be back for the Grand National in 2013.

The eleven-year-old gelding had made one racecourse appearance this season with a very respectable return over hurdles at Thurles behind Zaidpour.

Bookmakers had been quoting Oscar Time at around the 16/1 mark for the 2012 Grand National and with the recent setback to Beshabar as well punters are now turning to 2011 winner Ballabriggs who is the 16/1 clear favourite with
Skybet

Hi, I understand some of you have been experiencing some technical problems over the last few days – apologies for that. If you are still having problems can you list the details here and I will get someone to look into as soon as possible Thanks Darren

2010 Grand National winner Don’t Push It has been retired. Jonjo O’Neill reported that connections had not been happy with the home work of the twelve-year-old and despite what seemed a promising return to the track in a hurdle race in November the decision had been made to call time on Don’t Push It’s racing [...]

Please use this page as collection point for your top six selections on the Grand National 2012. This is a page requested by our readers so if you are new to our site please follow the instructions offered by our regulars at the start of the thread.

Apologies everyone but responsibilities elsewhere have not left me as much time as I would like to devote to the blog in recent weeks – I hope things will improve after Xmas. The Welsh National is fast approaching and I see that you have all started work on this excellent race so I will keep [...]

We are heading into a very busy time for racing with the King George and Welsh National just around the corner as well as some excellent racing in Ireland over Christmas. I will be opening a Welsh National thread up in the next couple of days but in the meantime here is a general thread [...]

Hi everyone, Please can we make this the main thread for all your comments, suggestions and trends for the Grand National 2012. Some new names have sprung up over the last few weeks as contenders for the Grand National in the likes of Galaxy Rock, Shakalakaboomboom and Planet Of Sound but the horses with the [...]

Hi all, I’ve updated where I can so far for the current season (New winners NOT in capitals) and will continue to amend as we go – any ideas for further races that you think might be worthy of Grand National consideration please let me know. I thought it might be a good idea to [...]

Alan King’s West End Rocker was the dominant force in the 2011 Becher Chase romping to a twenty-two length victory over the ever gallant Niche Market and Ballyvesey. West End Rocker’s winning distance at the finish line was an impressive twenty-two lengths with over a further thirty lengths back to Ballyvesey. Bookmakers understandably reacted by [...]