Grand National 2012: I'm on the Bleu team for the big quiz

Jamie Lynch / Jamie Lynch / 22 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

How many did you get right in Jamie's Grand National Quiz?

"Cappa Bleu ticks many of the right boxes for a National horse. In fact, he's already proven as a quasi-National horse, having come through the Welsh version with flying colours."

Based on the theory that participation is better than preaching, Timeform Chief Correspondent Jamie Lynch invites you to take his Grand National Quiz on his way to trying to answer the key question...

Preliminary Question
iPhones have revolutionised the world, but what aspects of society have been ruined by the iPhone?
a) Betting discipline
b) Texting while driving
c) Pub quiz

Answer: all of the above. There was a time, not many years ago, when, having completed your betting for the day, you'd drive to the pub while texting an eta to your mates, then indulge in an old-fashioned, good-humoured quiz in which knowledge won out. Not now. Because of the iPhone and its touchscreen, texting behind the wheel really is too dangerous to even contemplate, and because of the iPhone and its internet function, the answer to any quiz question can be (and is) found in seconds, be it under the table or outside amongst the smokers, and because of the iPhone and the fact you're just two taps away from Betfair wherever you are, your betting day is never done.

Still, everybody loves a quiz - especially those with an iPhone - and everybody loves the Grand National - especially those with a grudge who hop aboard racing once a year to have a go - so I thought let's combine the two and do a Grand National Quiz, including a potential prize in question 10.

Question 1
How many fences are jumped in the Grand National?
a) 16
b) 30
c) It depends
Answer: C. The scheduled number is and always has been 30, comprising 16 individual fences which are jumped twice bar The Chair the Water Jump, but I suppose the truest answer now - and it's a good thing - is 'it depends', because of the bypassing areas which were seen in effect last year when just 28 fences were jumped in total.

'Question' 2
Which horse 'finished' 'second' in the 'National' of 1993 'won' by Esha Ness?
a) Givus A Buck
b) Cahervillahow
c) Just So
Answer: B.

Question 3
In terms of prize money, which race is more valuable than the Grand National?
a) Gold Cup
b) Champion Hurdle
c) King George VI Chase

Answer: None of them. It's a staggering pot for the Grand National, and Ballabriggs earned almost as much as the winners of those 'big' races combined did last season. The prize fund for the 2012 Grand National is more than Big Buck's has accumulated in his 17 wins over hurdles. How about that.

Question 4
Talking of Big Buck's and Paul Nicholls, the Grand National is one of the few high-profile races that has so far eluded Nicholls. How many attempts has he had? (And for a bonus point, which horse got him closest by finishing second)?
a) 36
b) 44
c) 52
Answer: C. (And Royal Auclair in 2005)

Question 5
Which former National winner's remains remain at the course?
a) Reynoldstown
b) Red Rum
c) Wild Man From Borneo

Answer: B and C. Most people know that Red Rum is buried near the winning post, but not many people might know that the stuffed head of 1895 winner is mounted on the wall of an interview room at Aintree.

Question 6
Fill in the blank. _______ Smith's Grand National.
a) John
b) Phil
c) Some John but mainly Phil
Answer: C.

Question 7
After partnering Rough Quest in 1996, how did Mick Fitzgerald describe winning the Grand National?
a) Amaaazing
b) Better than sex
c) Amaaazing
Answer: B, but no doubt in conjunction with A and C.

Question 8
Jenny Pitman, the Queen of Aintree, wanted only what of her Grand National contenders?
a) To come back safe and sound
b) To win at all costs
c) To help her engineer some one-on-one time with Lynam
Answer: A.

Question 9
In the widespread media condemnation of the 2011 National, which critical expert was referenced most in the tabloids (the same tabloids that gave away sweepstake kits and free bets the day before)?
a) David Muir, equine consultant for the RSPCA
b) Tony Tyler, Deputy Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare
c) Alesha Dixon, formerly one-third of Miss-Teeq and current celebrity panelist
Answer: C.

Question 10
Which horse - in my humble opinion - looks a good bet for this year's National?
a) Junior
b) Cappa Bleu
c) West End Rocker
Answer: B. Cappa Bleu ticks many of the right boxes for a National horse. In fact, he's already proven as a quasi-National horse, having come through the Welsh version with flying colours. He shaped really well for third at Chepstow, where he came from behind while the first two dominated virtually throughout, and it showed he has the due qualities to get him far at Aintree, namely stamina and sure jumping.

The only time Cappa Bleu has fallen was in the 2009 Hennessy, when he was 12/1 ([18.38] on Betfair) against Denman and co, reminding of his touch of class, and he'd jumped brilliantly when winning the Foxhunter at Cheltenham the season before.

His latest third at Ascot was another encouraging run with Aintree in mind, especially as he didn't look altogether comfortable going right-handed, and his trainer, Evan Williams, knows how to train one for National; getting State of Play in the frame in three consecutive renewals is an exceptional achievement.

More than any other race, a lot of theories will be peddled about the Grand National and the horses involved between now and April 14, and all I can do for now is put forward mine and hope there's some sense to be seen in it. Finding the National winner is a big ask, but it's also a big price and a potentially big reward, and I'd much rather win the National than win a pub quiz, with or without an iPhone.

Recommendation
Back Cappa Bleu @ [25.0] in the Grand National