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Princess Anne and Family

Zara Tindall’s horse Monbeg Dude to race in today’s Grand National

Monbeg Dude at last years Grand National where he finished in 7th place

Monbeg Dude at last years Grand National where he finished in 7th place

It’s Grand National day, the time of year where the eyes of the horse racing world descend to Liverpool where the world’s most famous horse race takes place.

This year, Monbeg Dude, the horse part owned by Zara and Mike Tindall, will be aiming to get his hooves on the £561,300 first place prize and earning his right of passage into the history books.

Today is Monbeg Dude’s second visit to Aintree after finishing a respectable 7th position in last year’s race.

The Michael Scudamore trained horse will be ridden at the helm this year by Liam Treadwell, who has previously won the National in 2009 on board 100/1 shot Mon Mome.

Monbeg Dude cost the Tindall’s a total of £12,000 at auction. However, he has won £156,497 of prize money so far in his career and has raced in some of the UK’s biggest events.

Mrs Tindall allegedly called her then boyfriend, Mike, an ‘idiot’ for paying that much money for a quarter share in a ‘hopeless’ horse. However, she will have now almost certainly changed her tune!

The Crabbie’s Grand National will get underway at 16:15 BST where Shutthefrontdoor and Balthazar King are currently the Bookies’ favourite to win the four mile steeplechase.

The Grand National is attended by just under 100,000 people each year at Aintree. It is also watched by more than 600 million people in 140 countries, making it one of the most watched sporting events worldwide.

In total, there are 30 jumps over the 4 miles 3½ furlongs with the horses taking around ten minutes to complete the course. Last year, Pineau de Re, at 25/1, ridden by Leighton Aspell, won the race.

Photo Credit: Charlie Proctor 2014 ©