It's the luck of the draw.....
Nostrils quivering in anticipation? Ears back, alert for the starter's pistol? Gently pawing the ground?
Well, wait no longer, because the runners and riders have been announced, and the draw has taken place!
Obviously strict rules were adhered to and the latest scientific methods employed:
I wrote all the horse names on a piece of paper:
Cut it up:
And stuck them in 2 pint glasses:
Then agitated to randomise (that's the science bit ;)):
Why two glasses? Well, to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, we divdied the field in two using the latest betting odds - so everyone gets one of the top 19 horses, and then an outside chance.
Since I lack a fabulous assistant in a sparkly leotard, the draw was made by Mr Bracknell, and overseen by a couple of impartial adjudicators:
Who, to be fair, were more intent on eating the paper than adjudicating:
Horses were drawn and assigned in the order you signed up, and - drum roll - here they are:
gilpin25 gets Billyvoddan and Kandjar D'Allier.
dracothelizard, you drew Eurotrek, and Tikram.
godricgal's hopes rest on Bothar Na, and Slim Pickings.
joely_jo, you'll be cheering for ooh, Clan Royal, and Puntal.
mrstater's gee gees are Hedgehunter, and Knowhere.
wildmagelet will be rooting for Liberthine and Silver Birch.
shimotsuki gets Homer Wells, and Kelami.
kileaiya will be hoping Longshanks or Naunton Brook is first past the post.
gloryforever's eyes will be on Simon and Le Duc.
drumher's hopes rest on Jack High and Philson Run.
kerrymdb hopes Bewleys Berry or Sonevafushi will romp home.
r_scribbles hopes Point Barrow and Livingstonebramble don't come a cropper.
bratanimus has fingers crossed for McKelvey and Ballycassidy.
molly_coddles gets Idle Talk and Gallant Approach.
bratty_jedi draws Joes Edge and Cloudy Bays.
phe_o 's horses are L'Ami and Zabenz.
ladybracknell pulls Numbersixvalverde and Graphic Approach out of the hat.
devonwood 's hopes rest on Dun Doire and Royal Auclair.
and
phoenixfyre13 gets Monkerhostin and Celtic Son.
Phew.
Best of luck to everyone!
Well, wait no longer, because the runners and riders have been announced, and the draw has taken place!
Obviously strict rules were adhered to and the latest scientific methods employed:
I wrote all the horse names on a piece of paper:
Cut it up:
And stuck them in 2 pint glasses:
Then agitated to randomise (that's the science bit ;)):
Why two glasses? Well, to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, we divdied the field in two using the latest betting odds - so everyone gets one of the top 19 horses, and then an outside chance.
Since I lack a fabulous assistant in a sparkly leotard, the draw was made by Mr Bracknell, and overseen by a couple of impartial adjudicators:
Who, to be fair, were more intent on eating the paper than adjudicating:
Horses were drawn and assigned in the order you signed up, and - drum roll - here they are:
gilpin25 gets Billyvoddan and Kandjar D'Allier.
dracothelizard, you drew Eurotrek, and Tikram.
godricgal's hopes rest on Bothar Na, and Slim Pickings.
joely_jo, you'll be cheering for ooh, Clan Royal, and Puntal.
mrstater's gee gees are Hedgehunter, and Knowhere.
wildmagelet will be rooting for Liberthine and Silver Birch.
shimotsuki gets Homer Wells, and Kelami.
kileaiya will be hoping Longshanks or Naunton Brook is first past the post.
gloryforever's eyes will be on Simon and Le Duc.
drumher's hopes rest on Jack High and Philson Run.
kerrymdb hopes Bewleys Berry or Sonevafushi will romp home.
r_scribbles hopes Point Barrow and Livingstonebramble don't come a cropper.
bratanimus has fingers crossed for McKelvey and Ballycassidy.
molly_coddles gets Idle Talk and Gallant Approach.
bratty_jedi draws Joes Edge and Cloudy Bays.
phe_o 's horses are L'Ami and Zabenz.
ladybracknell pulls Numbersixvalverde and Graphic Approach out of the hat.
devonwood 's hopes rest on Dun Doire and Royal Auclair.
and
phoenixfyre13 gets Monkerhostin and Celtic Son.
Phew.
Best of luck to everyone!