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A certain cohort of racing fans, myself included, still lament the old days of the pin-sticking unpredictability of the Grand National with 40 moderate horses and their riders trying to negotiate 30 monstrous obstacles in an attempt to etch their names into the history books.
These days the majority of the fences are smaller than on a standard park course and with six fewer runners to get in each other's way, it has become a far more predictable affair, but surprisingly none of this has diminished its public appeal. At least not in Ireland.
My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
I'm from Moyglass, Co Tipperary and I had a pony at home which I rode out around the gallop at my grandfather's (trainer Matty Tynan) place. I'd see the lads riding out at home and I'd want to ride out with them. I kept asking my grandad and uncle, and they kept saying to wait a while, so I rode the ponies for a few years. Even before I started riding out, my grandad would come out with me after school every day on the pony. He taught me what to do and what not to do. He also helped me a lot when I was pony racing and he has been great in giving me that start.
Aintree Review
The team look back on all the big talking points from last week's Grand National meeting at Aintree
By John O'Riordan - John Gleeson looks to have strong claims of landing this prize on ZIPSTER. Mid-division in a big field at the Curragh on his reappearance, the Gerard O'Leary-trained five-year-old took a significant step forward when third at Gowran Park. A winner off this mark at Killarney last summer, the son of Zoustar looks well handicapped at present. Star Mind, representing the same connections, could well prove the biggest danger. Successful at Naas off 5lb higher last season, she has shaped with promise at Dundalk in recent starts and it would be no surprise to see her improve further. Teffian Warrior needs to find more but is very lightly raced and has the services of Alan O'Sullivan.
