Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Brend'Watkins on April 05, 2013, 10:18:25 AM

Title: Grand National
Post by: Brend'Watkins on April 05, 2013, 10:18:25 AM
Who's got a tip for me? 
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: jamestownvilla on April 05, 2013, 10:25:18 AM
don't put black polish on brown shoes      where's me coat
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: TopDeck113 on April 05, 2013, 10:26:36 AM
Who's organising the H&V Sweepstake?
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 05, 2013, 10:45:23 AM
My bet for this year is four deaths.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: SteveN on April 05, 2013, 10:49:55 AM
Roberto Goldback - trained by Nicky Henderson specifically for the National.   Henderson has never won it and there should be a first time and also decent odds.  The N shilling is on at 33-1.

All sounds promising and I backed the winner last year, but...prior to that my record was poor, buttock clenchingly piss poor.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Brend'Watkins on April 05, 2013, 10:53:00 AM
Thanks Steve, Henderson had a good Cheltenham so that will be my EW bet.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on April 05, 2013, 11:02:11 AM
Don't eat any Lasagne they serve up at Aintree after the race. 
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: garyshawsknee on April 05, 2013, 11:21:55 AM
Stay out of the bookies.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: richard moore on April 05, 2013, 11:40:27 AM
My bet for this year is four deaths.

But the horses really like it. No honestly, I've asked them...
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Dave Cooper please on April 05, 2013, 12:11:38 PM
Glue Factory or Findus Crispy Pancakes for me, put your house on them.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Clampy on April 05, 2013, 02:15:07 PM
There's a horse running tomorrow called Nineteethminute.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: nigel on April 05, 2013, 08:40:09 PM
Sunnyhillboy will be my tip.
2nd last year, caught on the line.
The course is 90m shorter this year, he'd have won had it been 90m shorter last year :-)

If only it had been Nineteenth minute instead of Ninetieth minute
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: eric woolban woolban on April 05, 2013, 10:20:15 PM
Dusty Carpet - it's never been beaten.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Confusious says on April 05, 2013, 11:26:33 PM
My tip don't eat yellow snow

Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Fergal on April 06, 2013, 12:34:47 AM
My bet for this year is four deaths.
6 in 2 years, I will go for 3...
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Fergal on April 06, 2013, 12:47:35 AM
http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
Bit of an eye opener....
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 06, 2013, 01:29:13 AM
I can't be bothered this year. If I want to see dead horse I can pop into Tesco*.





* I claim the award for most predictable joke of 2013.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: belgiumbrummie on April 06, 2013, 10:06:58 AM
1.teaforthree
2.on his own
3.roberto goldback
4.colbert station
5.quiscover fontaine 8)
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: MonsXI on April 06, 2013, 01:06:22 PM
I've had 19th minute for obvious reasons.

Edit: technically it's 90th minute but I'm calling it 19th
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: flybo on April 06, 2013, 03:04:10 PM
I've had 19th minute for obvious reasons.

Edit: technically it's 90th minute but I'm calling it 19th
me to
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: London Villan on April 06, 2013, 04:34:14 PM
1st and 2nd in the office sweep... Which i organised... Oh dear.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: richard moore on April 06, 2013, 04:58:43 PM
I sincerely hope almost no one won a penny on this....London Villan excepted of course and only because he follows the Villa!
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: usav on April 06, 2013, 08:03:49 PM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.

Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: dave.woodhall on April 06, 2013, 08:05:53 PM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Dave Cooper please on April 06, 2013, 11:33:08 PM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



I hope not. Breeding horses to race so that they are so fragile that the slightest fall causes injuries that mean they have to be killed is an abomination. All sports are dangerous but generally it's us humans that take the risks, the horses have no choice.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: usav on April 07, 2013, 01:37:03 AM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.

The horses are bred to race and they love doing it.  It's not like they are plucked out of a field and thrown in with the lions.   There are accidents in any form of horse racing and indeed riding in general.  Aintree have listened to their critics and have made some changes accordingly, for that at least they should be commended.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: dave.woodhall on April 07, 2013, 01:39:15 AM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.

The horses are bred to race and they love doing it.  It's not like they are plucked out of a field and thrown in with the lions.   There are accidents in any form of horse racing and indeed riding in general.  Aintree have listened to their critics and have made some changes accordingly, for that at least they should be commended.

Of course they love doing it. I bet they love breaking their necks as well.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Dave Cooper please on April 07, 2013, 02:22:32 AM


The horses are bred to race

Exactly. Ban racing and then no horses die.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 07, 2013, 02:26:08 AM
How does anyone know they love doing it? They can hardly tell anyone if they do or don't.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: usav on April 07, 2013, 03:31:19 AM


The horses are bred to race

Exactly. Ban racing and then no horses die.

On the contrary, if you ban racing a lot more horses will die as there will be no industry for them and nothing to sustain them.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: *shellac* on April 07, 2013, 04:19:42 AM
How does anyone know they love doing it? They can hardly tell anyone if they do or don't.
Neigh once, like.  Neigh twice, don't like.  Neigh thrice, try again.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 07, 2013, 05:01:57 AM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.

The horses are bred to race and they love doing it.  It's not like they are plucked out of a field and thrown in with the lions.   There are accidents in any form of horse racing and indeed riding in general.  Aintree have listened to their critics and have made some changes accordingly, for that at least they should be commended.

Haven't two horses died this week, at Aintree?
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Fergal on April 07, 2013, 08:28:20 AM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.

The horses are bred to race and they love doing it.  It's not like they are plucked out of a field and thrown in with the lions.   There are accidents in any form of horse racing and indeed riding in general.  Aintree have listened to their critics and have made some changes accordingly, for that at least they should be commended.

Haven't two horses died this week, at Aintree?
It's only the Grand National that counts...
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: richard moore on April 07, 2013, 09:04:06 AM
No fallers until the 7th and still 35 horses left at the 13th.   No fatalities.   Hopefully that will keep the naysayers quiet for a little while.



It was a success because no horse died. What a lovely race it is.

The horses are bred to race and they love doing it.  It's not like they are plucked out of a field and thrown in with the lions.   There are accidents in any form of horse racing and indeed riding in general.  Aintree have listened to their critics and have made some changes accordingly, for that at least they should be commended.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. See any slight flaw in your argument perchance? That is a rare skill you have there being able to talk to animals, you need to get off here and make your fortune. What a success, no horses killed
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Dave Cooper please on April 07, 2013, 12:03:43 PM


The horses are bred to race

Exactly. Ban racing and then no horses die.

On the contrary, if you ban racing a lot more horses will die as there will be no industry for them and nothing to sustain them.

No, there will be no need for thoroughbred race horses so they will gradually grow old and die naturally.
All that will happen is that a breed of horse that is in no way natural (like pit bull terriers in a way) will be phased out just like it was phased in just to jump fences.
Won't happen of course, too much money in it for the betting industry, horses die so bookies can make money.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: richard moore on April 07, 2013, 02:04:35 PM


The horses are bred to race

Exactly. Ban racing and then no horses die.

On the contrary, if you ban racing a lot more horses will die as there will be no industry for them and nothing to sustain them.

No, there will be no need for thoroughbred race horses so they will gradually grow old and die naturally.
All that will happen is that a breed of horse that is in no way natural (like pit bull terriers in a way) will be phased out just like it was phased in just to jump fences.
Won't happen of course, too much money in it for the betting industry, horses die so bookies can make money.

Ah, the old fox hunting argument. Ban fox hunting and all those sweet little hounds will die.

Oh and don't forget, Radio 5 needs to have its annal story about how the eldest cousin of the winning rider's sister used to childmind the the daughter of the nephew of the woman who used to sweep out Red Rum's stable. I wonder how many people who bet on the race every year can even remember the name of the winner by Monday morning?
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Brend'Watkins on April 07, 2013, 02:25:35 PM
Just noticed I backed the 4th place so £18 up on the race.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: taylorsworkrate on April 07, 2013, 02:33:32 PM
Just kill every horse at birth. No arguments then.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 07, 2013, 02:36:28 PM
How does anyone know they love doing it? They can hardly tell anyone if they do or don't.
Neigh once, like.  Neigh twice, don't like.  Neigh thrice, try again.

So does that mean Amos Brearly wanted to run the Grand National?
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 07, 2013, 02:42:04 PM
Can they not just have horse racing without the jumps?

Anyone looking at a horse's leg for more than two seconds can see they're not designed for landing on with their full weight from a great height. I managed to break my ankle just walking and my ankle is probably three times as thick as a horse's!
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: taylorsworkrate on April 07, 2013, 02:46:43 PM
I'd just ban every sport.

Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: taylorsworkrate on April 07, 2013, 03:10:03 PM
I'm a jumps racing fan, but don't particularly enjoy the national. It's a decent handicap race at best and despite the attempts to make the race safer, it can never be adequately so imo.

To add a little balance to the argument, over 6000 non thoroughbred horses were highlighted as at risk of neglect last winter. So whilst I respect the views of those anti racing, I don't think people truly understand just how badly non racing horses are treated in this country.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: usav on April 07, 2013, 04:26:35 PM
No, there will be no need for thoroughbred race horses so they will gradually grow old and die naturally.
All that will happen is that a breed of horse that is in no way natural (like pit bull terriers in a way) will be phased out just like it was phased in just to jump fences.
Won't happen of course, too much money in it for the betting industry, horses die so bookies can make money.

if you ban horse racing, you will have thousands of horses that will need to be killed as there will be no industry to sustain them.  As taylorsworkrate said, thousands of non-racing horses were at danger of neglect last year, who is going to take in all the retired race horses?

Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: usav on April 07, 2013, 04:27:20 PM
Can they not just have horse racing without the jumps?

I hate to tell you this, but they can break their legs in flat racing as well.......as they can in a pasture or a field.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Fergal on April 07, 2013, 05:17:18 PM
No, there will be no need for thoroughbred race horses so they will gradually grow old and die naturally.
All that will happen is that a breed of horse that is in no way natural (like pit bull terriers in a way) will be phased out just like it was phased in just to jump fences.
Won't happen of course, too much money in it for the betting industry, horses die so bookies can make money.

if you ban horse racing, you will have thousands of horses that will need to be killed as there will be no industry to sustain them.  As taylorsworkrate said, thousands of non-racing horses were at danger of neglect last year, who is going to take in all the retired race horses?


So it is self perpetuating then?
Perhaps it can be phased out over a few years, won't happen of course as there is too much money involved.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 07, 2013, 05:51:47 PM
Can they not just have horse racing without the jumps?

I hate to tell you this, but they can break their legs in flat racing as well.......as they can in a pasture or a field.

Well of course they could. Likewise you could walk on a landmine in Sussex, but it's a lot more likely if you were walking around Afghanistan.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Dr Butler on April 08, 2013, 12:53:02 PM
1.2.and 4th and a Villa win !  I have had a great weekend...
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on April 08, 2013, 01:47:03 PM
1.2.and 4th and a Villa win !  I have had a great weekend...
Good effort DB there weren't many on Auroras. I had 2nd and 3rd - dipped out on the placepot in the final leg for a £2k payout, gutted but the news of Lowtons missile soon cheered me up. Top day out, we were stood by the chair fence was an awesome sight as they jumped past.
Title: Re: Grand National
Post by: bob on April 09, 2013, 01:52:27 PM
The Channel 4 program, How to Win the Grand National, is still on 4OD. It is well worth a watch no matter what you think of horse racing.

I expect it will add weight to both sides of the arguement. Most here seem to have made up their mind despite not bothering to find out if their reasoning is actually accurate or not. For example, in it there is clear evidence that thoroughbred horses' legs are indeed extremely well equipped to jump large obstacles, and as herd animals, when left to their own devices will run together, race each other and jump things without influence from humans, perhaps because it is naturally what they enjoy doing.
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