The Grand National Ghost
49The Ghost of the Grand National
People all over England flock to see the most exiting horse racing event. It is over four miles long and has the highest hurdles ever. It is believed to be the most challenging steeple race for both the jockey and the race horse alike. This event has racing fans getting dressed up to the nines and buzzing with excitement in their most expensive outfits, hoping to be picked as the best dressed at the national. The whole country is then betting on what horse will win many forget about the pressure that is placed on the horses that are at times pushed to their deaths. Though the first winner of the national (who was called Lottery) was so strong and resilient there was no chance of him being killed. He and his jockey Jem Mason had a clear win despite the dangers, this is said to have upset some of the competitors and Lottery was stopped from entering the Grand National again.
Lottery was so outstanding he was barred from the national and was possibly cheated of any future wins. Lottery is said to have died ploughing fields on a farm. His spirit is said to return to Aintree and witnesses say they have seen a dark shadowy figure of a horse and jockey speeding along and after jumping the massive thirty three foot hurdle at the end of the course disappears into the night – some say he is possibly trying to claim back what he could have won all those years ago.
