Nothing is more frustrating for a trainer than to see his horse falling at the first fence at Aintree. It is also highly disappointing for the racing enthusiasts who back their favourites only to see them lose at the start. These fans are always on the lookout for latest horse racing odds OR best horse racing odds events and they put a lot of effort into getting their predictions right. In the long history of the Grand National, there have been many famous horses who got themselves ruled out of the competition in this manner, and below we have listed some of them.
1- Aldaniti
Aldaniti and Bob Champion became a source of inspiration for many when they overcame great adversity to win the coveted Grand National. Champion was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979 but he recovered in time before the 1981 Grand National while Aldaniti also made a return to horse racing after sustaining a serious leg injury. And then the two went on to win the prestigious race at Aintree in 1981.
Most people are familiar with the astonishing modern fairytale of the turf but what followed is not very well known. The amazing racehorse tried his luck at Aintree in 1982, despite not looking in good form in the 1981-82 season. He was 12 at that time, carrying 10lb more than the previous year.
The 12-1 joint-third favourite fell at the first fence, surprising all his supporters. Champion later admitted that he was "gutted. I hit the floor hard with my stick and my first thought was: 'Can't we start again?'
2- Hallo Dandy
Red Rum achieved the incredible feat of winning three Grand Nationals. Many horses tried to imitate his feat but failed. One such horse was Hallo Dandy, the British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was trained by Gordon W. Richards.
Hallo Dandy competed in four Grand Nationals, with the promising horse making his first attempt in 1983 and finishing fourth that time. He wasn’t rated very highly the following year as he had been pulled up in the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup before the prestigious race. However, Neale Doughty and Hallo Dandy surprised everyone with an impressive performance. Despite facing tough competition from Corbiere (the 1983 winner) and Greasepaint, the Gordon Richards trained horse went to win by a comfortable four lengths.
Hoping to claim back-to-back victories, he entered the Grand National once again, but that time with Graham Bradley as his rider. However, it proved to be a huge disappointment for Hallo Dandy as he fell at the first fence.
At the age of 12, the amazing racehorse tried his luck once more at Aintree but finished last in the race.
3- Double Thriller
Double Thriller looked a promising horse for the 1999 Grand National. He had finished fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup that season and was aiming for glory at the Aintree Racecourse. His jockey Joe Tizzard was so confident that he reported to have told the Post. “I’ve got the perfect ride.”
He was sent off the 7-1 joint-second favourite, but suffered the same fate as the other two horses mentioned above – he fell at the first fence.
There are lots of interesting stories in our section on Racing & Wagering.
