Al Haq's Daily Thoughts

The most prestigious sporting event held in the United Kingdom is the Grand National Race. It is held on a Saturday afternoon in April and for this year (2010) the d day happens to be 10^th of April. Over hundred horses and jockeys gear themselves for such a huge event and about millions of spectators gather in Aintree race course to watch the most tenacious horse racing event of the year. This year the race course will witness one of the toughest competitions as 112 horses with their respective jockeys have already registered themselves.

If you are not one of the horse race fans or followers, you can still participate in this huge sporting event by betting on the horses. As the event has gained immense popularity over the years, betting on the horses has become a casual affair. On one hand while millions of spectator enjoy the racing while another thousands bet on the horses and gamble on their luck. All you require is to either follow the racing trends or go through the guides that are available on the internet. The winner’s profile have remained more or less same. Try your luck out in Grand National 2010.

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the major features of the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom. National Hunt racing is the British name for Horse Racing. It is a very historically significant event, which dates backs to 1902. The festival lasts four days and the best of British and Irish trained horses take part in this event. The race is made more exciting by the prospect of prize money which is second only to the Grand National.

The event is organized in March every year at the Cheltenham race course in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. This festival is as popular among the Irish as it is with the British. The participation of the Irish people is very high. The event usually coincides with St Patrick day – a national holiday in Ireland; this possibly explains their high attendance.

The betting at Cheltenham Festival takes place at as grand a scale as the scale at which the event is organized. The sum of all bets placed during the four days is to the tune of hundred million pounds. The stakes only add to the enthusiasm of the people which is quite evident from the awesome atmosphere that lasts throughout the festival. You have to be there to feel the palpable excitement!

There is one thing, however, for which the event draws some criticism. The high number of injuries and the fatalities among horses each year is something that the organizers are not proud of. There have been a number of changes to address this issue in the recent years. Now the event is safer than before which makes the festival all the more enjoyable. You can find out more about this festival by visiting www.cheltenham-races.com.