Another big race and the Irish just dish out more embarrassment for the Brits
At the outset of my career, I was told by the boss of the first paper I worked for – a keen racing man – that "shorthand is the Becher's Brook of journalism". I suspect if he were dishing out advice today, he'd change his analogy.
I would imagine it is still as hard today to get up to 120 words per minute in Pitman 2000 – if for some unfathomable reason you ever needed to – but nowhere near as hard to get over Becher's. In fact, the principal barrier to winning the Grand National these days seems to be nothing to do with clearing the spruce; not being Irish is what'll stop you.
Five of the last seven winners have been Irish. Corach Rambler pegged one back for the Brits last year, but the home team had 13 of the 39 runners that day (itself a paltry figure), whereas in this season's field – well, we don't quite know, but it's not going to be good.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- The time is right for racing's answer to Pep Guardiola to shine once again
- A striker in need of a goal: Kieran Shoemark hasn't become a bad jockey overnight, he just needs a break
- Cartmel's unique experience makes a refreshing change - it must be protected at all costs
- Farcical contradiction in the Gambling Bill will see racing and betting pushed closer together
- Should private equity or sovereign wealth be offered a slice of racing's crown jewels? We won't know until we take a look
- The time is right for racing's answer to Pep Guardiola to shine once again
- A striker in need of a goal: Kieran Shoemark hasn't become a bad jockey overnight, he just needs a break
- Cartmel's unique experience makes a refreshing change - it must be protected at all costs
- Farcical contradiction in the Gambling Bill will see racing and betting pushed closer together
- Should private equity or sovereign wealth be offered a slice of racing's crown jewels? We won't know until we take a look