Weird Al: The Horse!

[ludovica64]

That's not any old race That's The Grand National


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_National

[algonacchick]

Thanks for telling us how important this race is, Lou!

[ludovica64]

Thanks for telling us how important this race is, Lou!

Its HUUUUGE.. Like the SuperBowl is for you guys I guess


but... horses die in it pretty much every year.. it is SO tough and dangerous.. Keep your fingers crossed Weird Al gets the round trip.

[algonacchick]

We have the Kentucky Derby here for horse racing. It's not steeplechase like the Grand National, but it's a pretty big deal. Here's hoping Weird Al can make it through the Grand National without serious injury. Wow, all those fences...hope he can clear them.

[Wizzerkat]

Good luck to Weird Al at the Grand National today! Here is one preview:

Weird Al: Weird Al was a big disappointment when pulling up behind Synchronised in the Gold Cup. He is lightly raced and so open to improvement, but will need to be to win this off of a mark of 164. He is reportedly best fresh and so the gap between the Gold Cup and this race may not have been sufficient for him to be in peak shape here.

[ludovica64]

Well that was incredibly traumatic...
Weird Al fell at the TWENTY-SEVENTH fence and needed track side treatment from a vet. Rumours abounded that he was the third horse to die in the race.. "Synchronised", the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and another "According to Pete" were both put down directly, but Weird Al and Killyglen's status was unknown

It was fully two hours before Weird Al's jockey Timmy Murphy tweeted

@TJm555: weird al gave me a great ride in national. Got a nasty cut to his leg but he will be ok...


There were only 15 finishers from a field of 40 runners.
The grey Neptune Collonges won in a photo finish, the closest ever. First time a grey has won since 1962

RESULTGrand National
1. Neptune Collonges D A Jacob 33-1

2. Sunnyhillboy R P McLernon 16-1

3. Seabass Ms K Walsh 8-1 Jt Fav

4. Cappa Bleu Paul Moloney 16-1

The British Horse Racing Authority have also commented on the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete.

"We are very sad about the fatal injuries suffered by Synchronised and According to Pete in the Grand National," said Professor Tim Morris, the body's director of Equine Science and Welfare.
"In both cases the horse incurred a fracture to the leg and the humane option was to put the injured horses down.
"The Grand National undoubtedly represents a challenge to both horse and rider. It has inherent risks, but, working closely with Aintree and other stakeholders, we do all we can to minimise these risks while maintaining the unique character of the race.
"We will examine closely the circumstances which led to both incidents."

According to a lady whose uncle has horses at Donald McCain's stable, the person who led Weird Al out in the paddock was a French jockey called... Ludo...

[algonacchick]

Thank you for all the info, Louise. Sad those two horses had to be put down. So glad Weird Al was not so seriously injured. Maybe he'll run again next year?

[Orthography Enthusiast]

Weird Al is "bright and well." He skinned up one of his legs pretty good, but he's expected to run again next season.

I'm just glad that Weird Al the human is having a better run of luck than Weird Al the horse.

[Orthography Enthusiast]

Weird Al has retired.

[DrSteggy]

Nice to see a race horse retire sound enough that a career fox hunting is considered a possibility.