Lee-Chung: Meeting Due Monday

Grand National Party (GNP) and President Lee Myung bak Chairman Rep. Chung Mong joon will meet over breakfast today at Cheong Wa Dae to discuss pending political issues, GNP officials said Sunday. On the agenda will be the National Assembly's planned inspection of ministries and government agencies, which will start Thursday, the result of the by-elections last week and the growing controversy over the government's move to modify the Sejong City project, the officials said. It will the third one-on-one meeting between Lee and Chung since the latter replaced Park Hee tae as the chairman of the governing party in early September. Park was one of the two GNP candidates who won Assembly seats in the by elections to pick five lawmakers. The main opposition Democratic Party won the other three seats. The gathering is taking place at a time when junior GNP lawmakers are calling for restructuring of the party's leadership and post election measures to regain public confidence.Some critics said the outcome of the elections indicates weakening public backing for Lee's major policies, such as the project to refurbish four rivers nationwide and the amendment of the Sejong City plan."Lee and Chung will focus on setting up a future course of action to get more public support for state policies,'' a spokesman said. "Lee is expected to call for the GNP's support for policies for working class families and low income earners, while suggesting measures to ease conflicts with opposition parties."

Represented in Cabinet to Four Lawmakers

The announcement of a new Cabinet lineup Thursday marks a major turning point for President Lee Myung bak and the governing Grand National Party (GNP) in their try to spur economic recuperation and promote social integration, analysts say.One of the key characteristics of the new Cabinet is that it has become younger, reflecting Lee's push for political and economic reform. Of the seven ministers assign, including former Seoul National University president Chung Un chan, named the next Prime Minister, five are in their 40s and 50s. The average age of ministers will fall to 59 from the current 62.4 if all the nominations are sanctioned by the National Assembly.The comprehension of three GNP lawmakers Choi Kyung hwan, Yim Tah hee and Joo Ho young also came as a surprise.Recently, Lee has only one lawmaker turned minister Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Minister Jeon Jae hee."The GNP has requested more opportunities for lawmakers to come into the Cabinet as most presidential staff and ministers have little experience in politics," a GNP spokesman said. "The current reshuffle reflects these concerns and indicates Cheong Wa Dae will strengthen communication with the governing party in setting up a future course of action."Lee's choice of Rep. Choi, connected with former GNP Chairwoman Rep. Park Geun hye, also advise that he will reflect opinions from diverse political factions in managing state affairs. Some GNP officials said the decision means that Lee has offered an olive branch to Rep. Park to address physical conflicts ahead of the by elections next month."Considering Park's influence on her GNP colleagues, it will be almost impossible for the governing party to win the elections and overcome future political challenges," the spokesman said.Cheong Wa Dae officials said the reshuffle is also aimed at addressing regional and ideological divisions.Premier nominee Chung, a veteran economist, will interchange Han Seung soo to become the second prime minister since Lee's inauguration in February last year.Chung's appointment was largely unexpected as he had been touted as a potential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) for the next presidential race."Chung is the best choice for prime minister as he has rested neutral over ideological and regional conflicts," a presidential spokesman said. "We believe he will realise President Lee's goals of overcoming the economic crisis, stabilising the livelihood of common people and resolving political and ideological divisions."In his autobiography, published in 2007, Chung said he was a realist, adding he was neither a pro government person nor conservative. He picked Deng Xiao Ping as a perfect example of a leader for a country.

GRAND NATIONAL WINNER FOR SUMMER CAMP

Cowdray Hunt Pony Club members had a special treat when Grand National winner Liam Treadwell joined them for the last night of their week-long senior camp.
Parents also arrived to watch the match and there was very happy to see win of there son
the Eventers Challenge grand finale of the camp and see Liam, a former member of the Cowdray Pony Club, present the prizes. Branch secretary Zoe Jones, who organised the event with district commissioner Maggie Mockett, said: "He came for the day to meet the members, have a tour of the stables, watch the competition and hand out the trophies to the prize-winners.
He gave an physically interesting talk about his early ridding career with cowdray pony club, showing capture of his ridding jumping one of his first ponies, Huckleberry, who is still being ridden today by a pony club child.
After passed his racing suddenly which he used in the Grand National, he gave answer which belongs to race itself and the preparation required to race
at this level. "We all felt very proud that his riding career started with the Cowdray Pony Club. He went on to say that many of the jockeys today were members of the Pony Club."The camp was held on the Hammerwood estate at Iping for members aged between 11 and 16."It teaches them to look after their ponies and the importance of tack and turnout," said Mrs Jones.

The 2009 Grand National was won by Liam Treadwell

The 2009 Grand National was won by 100/1 rank-outsider Mon Mome ridden by Grand National debutant jockey Liam Treadwell. He is the biggest-priced winner since Foinavon in 1967 and the first winner trained by a woman (Venetia Williams) since the days of Jenny Pitman. The horse came 10th in the Grand National last year and carried 11 stone for the race

Grand National Course and Fences

The Grand National is the ultimate test of horse and jockey. The race comprises two full circuits of a unique 2¼ mile (3,600 metres) course, where challengers will face 30 of the most testing fences in the world of jump racing.

Each of the 16 fences on the course are jumped twice, with the exception of The Chair and the Water Jump, which are jumped on the first circuit only.

The Start

There is a hazard to overcome even before the race starts - the build up, parade and re-girthing prior to the off lasts for around 25 minutes, over double the time it takes for any other race.

With 40 starters, riders naturally want a good sight of the first fence and after the long build-up their nerves are stretched to breaking point, which means the stewards' pre-race warning to go steady is often totally ignored.

Becher's Brook: Although the fence looks innocuous from the take-off side, the steep drop on the landing side, together with a left-hand turn on landing, combine to make this the most thrilling and famous fence in the horse racing world. The fence actually measures 6 ft 9 in on the landing side, a drop of 2 ft from take off.

Becher's Brook earned its name when a top jockey, Captain Martin Becher, took shelter in the brook after being unseated. "Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky" he reflected.

The Chair: The final two jumps of the first circuit form the only pair negotiated just once - and they could not be more different. The Chair is both the tallest (5ft 3in) and broadest fence on the course, with a 6ft wide ditch on the take-off side.

Water Jump: This 2ft 9in fence brings the first circuit to an end and the sight of the runners jumping it at speed presents a terrific spectacle in front of the grandstands.

The Finish

The 494-yard long run in from the final fence to the finish is the longest in the country and has an acute elbow halfway up it that further drains the then almost empty stamina reserves of both horse and jockey.

For numerous riders over the years, this elongated run-in has proved mental and physical agony when the winning post seems to be retreating with every weary stride.

Don't count your money until the post is reached as with the rest of the Grand National course, the run-in can - and usually does - change fortunes.

Grand National Legends

The Grand National is a enormous British institution where each year the nation is trapped up in Grand National Betting as a once in a year opportunity to have a bet on a horse race where anything is possible. Each year a single story emerges that confines the imagination of the Public. The Grand National has lots of such stories throughout the years that touch the nation.

One of the most well-known of these stories was when Aldaniti won the Grand National in 1981. In 1979, Bob Champion, the jockey of Aldaniti, was informed he had cancer and only months to live, not only that but the horse also was almost retired because of leg trouble. In 1983, Jenny Pitman became the most popular women in the racing game by becoming the first women to train a winner of the Grand National with Corbiere. Jenny had a second victory in 1995 with Royal Athlete and also trained the winner of the void race in 1993.


The late Captain Tim Forster, who received an OBE in the 1999 New Year's Honours List, saddled three Grand National Winners. His first success came in 1972 with Well to Do. Forster, not renowned for his optimism declared to run with 15 minutes to spare as he was uncertain whether to risk the horse at Aintree.


The Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien successful with jump and flat horses had great success in the 1950s with three successive Winners of the Grand National - Early Mist (1953), Royal Tan (1954) and Quare Times (1955).

Grand National - Travel

Aintree Racecourse is situated on the outskirts of Liverpool on the A59 Ormskirk to Liverpool road, five miles from Liverpool city centre.Getting to Aintree Racecourse By Road from the south: Leave M6 at J 21A and join M62 west. Leave M62 at J 6 to join M57, follow signs for races. From the North: Leave M6 at J 26 and join M58, follow signs for races. From Mersey Tunnel: Follow signs for Preston, then for A59, then signs for races.

Car Parking

This is very important if you have not visited the racetrack before as there is limited space and as such the parking around the racecourse is minimal. It is recommended to use the park and ride scheme operational at Brookfield School in Kirkby. This hard standing car park is free and is well signposted from the M57 motorway [J6]. The free coach transfer transports you to the Seeds Lane entrance of the racecourse and returns at the end of racing. The free on-site coach park is for parties who have pre-booked the Tattersalls or Steeplechase car parks.

Travelling By Train
Trains One of the best ways to get to the racecourse is to take the train. The nearest mainline train station to Aintree is Liverpool Lime Street. Liverpool Central Station is just a short walk from Lime Street, where you can catch a train to Aintree. Aintree Station is directly across the road from the main entrance to the racecourse where race trains run frequently. Rail enquiries: 08457484950 Mersey travel: 0870 608 2608.

Aintree Racecourse History

The first official races at Aintree were set up by the vendor of Liverpool's Waterloo Hotel, Mr William Lynn. Mr Lynn let the land from Lord Sefton, laid out a course, built a grandstand and staged the first Flat fixture on July 7, 1829.
Aintree is the home of world most popular races. The Aintree Grand National was first begin in 1839 and was won by the 5-1 favourite "Lottery". This was also the year in which the notorious Captain Martin Becher fell from his horse "Conrad" into the brook when in the lead, thus beginning the legend that is Becher's Brook.
In recent years the Aintree racecourse has gone from strength to strength and a large part of the credit can go to Martell who offered much needed funding at an important time. New Sponsors John Smiths Beer took over the Grand National sponsorship in 2005 and this ties in nicely with future plans for the course which include a new grandstand, as well as a redeveloped Parade Ring and Winner's Enclosure.

Aintree Racecourse - England

Aintree Racecourse is managed by Aintree Racecourse and is located in or near Aintree Village. You can see what other attractions are near Aintree Racecourse if you follow this link to other attractions and event locations in the area of Seftonon this website or you can get detailed information regarding opening times and other facilities if you follow this link to it's own website (if available)
We classify this location into our section about Racecourse's and we will be adding below a summary description, and possibly pictures, of Aintree Racecourse over time.

Aintree racecourse is now enjoying its most successful period in modern times. While many courses rely on subsidies, the Aintree management is very much commercially minded and on non-racedays all of Aintree's grandstands host wedding receptions, conferences and exhibitions. In the heart of the racecourse the belongs the Aintree Golf Centre, featuring a superb driving range and one of the longest nine-hole courses in the UK. Future plans include a new grandstand, as well as a redeveloped Parade Ring and Winner's Enclosure. Aintree's ambitious £30million plan will be complete for the 2007 Grand National meeting.

Grand National Reality

Grand National Facts from William Hill

More than half the adult population will have a excitement on the Grand National, at an average of £10 per bet. It is the one day of the year where women bet nearly as much as the men. One in three Grand National bets are placed by women

William Hill’s online sports book will process up to 10 bets per second at peak time. The Grand National is truly a world event as Hills have taken bets from as far a field as Australia, Bermuda, China, Kazakhstan and Iraq.