» David Brayshaw

April 7th 2021, 10:08 am

Virtual Grand National Results

The Virtual Grand National has been developed with Inspired Entertainment’s Manchester-based animation team. They use past form, the views of a panel of experts and the going and weather conditions to assess the likely outcome, but the computer makes the final decisions. Leading commentator Stewart Machin takes the mic as the race plays out virtually […]

March 19th 2020, 2:03 pm

New names to watch on the Grand National 2021 trail

By David Brayshaw

The Conditional Not since Rough Quest in 1995 and 1996 has a horse won the Festival Trophy currently known as the Ultima Handicap Chase and Grand National the following season but The Conditional, who is currently disputing favouritism with some firms, could very easily go close at Aintree next April. He defeated two other horses […]

March 19th 2020, 12:00 pm

Grand National 2020 – Who ‘would’ have won

By David Brayshaw

With the sad news that there will be no 2020 Grand National, we will never know what might have been but using a point-based simuation based on past results we will attempt to unlock how the mystery might have played out. The following differentials will earn runners points: Win last time out (10 points). The […]

March 9th 2020, 11:19 am

Big names face anxious wait over Grand National participation

By David Brayshaw

With less than a month to ‘The People’s Race’ fingers crossed and hands much washed many well-fancied runners’ connections still don’t know whether they will get a run in the Randox Health Grand National. The 40 runner safety limit and current 105 strong entry leaves plenty of connections set to be disappointed. The 40 highest […]

March 9th 2020, 11:13 am

Beware the Henderson hoodoo

By David Brayshaw

As has been much discussed in recent season Nicky Henderson, one of the greatest trainers in history is yet to win a Grand National. Indeed his win in the American Grand National last season was his first win in a National of any type. Henderson, who received his OBE from the Queen last week, has […]

March 3rd 2020, 12:16 pm

Leinster National the last pre-Cheltenham Grand National Trial

By David Brayshaw

On Sunday Naas host the Leinster National, a 3m handicap worth £59,000 to the winner. Its timing is ideal for the Grand National itself with just one month to Aintree and with Irish horses dominating recent Nationals it could very easily throw up this year’s Aintree hero. Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins, who won the […]

March 3rd 2020, 12:01 pm

French-breds struggle in the National – Myth or fact?

By David Brayshaw

Among the many perceived wisdoms regarding the Randox Health Grand National one of the most spoken of is the apparent ‘fact’ that French-bred chasers aren’t up for the challenge. In an era when French-bred chasers are a dominant force advertised by last year’s Cheltenham Festival where four of the six Grade 1 chases went to […]

February 27th 2020, 10:39 am

Burrows Saint continues to be conspicuous by his absence

By David Brayshaw

Burrows Saint @WillieMullinsNH leads from start to finish to win the @thetotecom @punchestownrace Hurdle with @rachaelblackmor pic.twitter.com/CBRxrhIwXT — David Betts (@davidbetts3213) 31 December 2019 Perennial Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins’ Grand National team continues to gather pace for the April spectacular, but his apparent first string Burrows Saint has still only made the racecourse once […]

February 27th 2020, 10:33 am

The task facing Tiger Roll in his bid to make history

By David Brayshaw

After his pleasing return over hurdles, a Grand National all-clear from owners Gigginstown House Stud, and clean bill of health going into Cheltenham, one could be forgiven for thinking we will see a familiar tale on Merseyside in April with Tiger Roll landing a third National. Of course, the dual champion is the horse that […]