蜜芽传媒

Sue Barker and Clare Balding are at Aintree for the 160th running of the Grand National, the world's most famous horse race. Year after year the National never disappoints in its capacity to produce remarkable stories. From the majesty of Red Rum and his record three triumphs - the last of which was 30 years ago in 1977 - to the emotion of Bob Champion's triumph on Aldaniti in 1981, less than two years after being told he had cancer and only months to live.
Irish-trained horses have dominated the National in recent years, winning five of the last eight races including in 2006, when Numbersixvalverde held off the challenge of the 2005 winner Hedgehunter to take the honours.
Will it be another Irish success in 2007, and will champion jockey Tony McCoy finally win a National after so many years of trying?
Before the big race itself gets underway, there are four other quality races, the highlight of which is the 拢160,000 Aintree Hurdle, won last year in such fine style by the Tom Mullins-trained Asian Maze. Races include: The John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle, the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase, the Scottish and Newcastle Aintree Hurdle, the John Smith's Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle and the John Smith's Grand National.