My late father, who was the kindest man I have ever encountered, introduced me to horse racing when I was a small boy. Although he died all of 33 years ago, I still remember his advice to me when betting on the world’s most famous horse race: ‘The best form for the Grand National is… the Grand National.’
He was convinced that very few horses were capable of both jumping the unique Aintree brush fences and truly staying the marathon trip, which is now 4 miles 2 and a half furlongs. So he concentrated his bets on horses that had done well in the race the year before.
A few trainers seem to share my father’s thinking because the first three home a year ago all return once again tomorrow (5.15 p.m. race), along with plenty of other horses who fared with varying degrees of success, or otherwise, 12 months ago.
I put up my
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