The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

UK travel

How Do Horse Races Around the World Compare to the Grand National?

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The British Grand National is one of the most popular competitive sporting events in the world with up to over 600 million people tuning in each year. Held at the famous Aintree Racecourse near the city of Liverpool, thousands of spectators come together to see which horse and jockey team will become that year’s winner of the coveted title.

This year, the prize amount for the Grand National stands at £3.2 million, and williamhill.com has contenders Blaklion or Cause of Causes as two of the favourites to take that pot home. However, it isn’t the only competition of its kind; there are horse racing competitions all around the world which are hugely popular, but what are they and how do they compare to the British Grand National? Let’s dive right in and find out now.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby was started all the way back in 1875, making it the oldest sporting event in the whole of the United States, and continues annually to this day in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a sporting event which has been honored throughout time in the classy Southern American style, by spectators sipping on mint juleps and wearing big and beautiful hats as they watch the race unfold. The most prestigious award a horse can win in American horse racing is the Triple Crown, which is achieved when a horse has been the winner at the three biggest racing events, the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Peakness Stakes. The last winner of the Triple Crown was American Pharaoh back in 2015. Will 2018 be the year we see another winner?

Source: Pexels.com

Melbourne Cup

Like the Grand National is to the UK, the Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in Australia. Each November, finely dressed spectators gather to watch the horses race around the 32000 metre Flemington Racecourse to compete for the $6.25 million cash prize. High fashion is one of the strongest aspects of the Melbourne Cup and attendees will be likely to stand amongst huge celebrities and possibly encounter some drama, making this event more than just about the sport. We wonder what this year’s event will have in store!

Source: Pixabay.com

Dubai World Cup 

Dubai is the playground of the rich and famous, so it comes as no surprise that their horse racing event, the Dubai World Cup, is just as gaudy. Although thoroughbred horse racing had been in place since 1981, the Dubai World Cup wasn’t started until 1996. For the inaugural race, the prize pot was a whopping $4 million, a world record at the time, which was won by Cigar and cemented the World Cup as a legitimate sporting event in the UAE. This year, the stakes are even higher as the prize pot now stands at $11 million, and the three-time Grade One winner Forever Unbridled is in the running to become this year’s champion. Only time will tell if luck is on her side this year.

Source: Pixabay.com

Competitive horse racing is a hugely popular sporting event for countries all around the world, and whether you prefer the luxury and gaudiness of Dubai, the fashionable and dramatic environment of Melbourne, or the classy affair of the Kentucky Derby, there can be no doubt that these events help to bring the nation together for a sport we can all enjoy.

Liverpool is the Perfection Destination for Long Weekends and Staycations

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The word ‘Staycation’ may be a relatively recent addition to our modern day parlance but the concept is certainly not a new phenomenom. There are a number of destinations positioned around the UK that are ideal for those searching for a short hassle-free, relaxing few days to get away from the stresses and strains of modern life. Liverpool is a hugely popular place for party-goers, culture vultures, and sports fans to venture and the historic city still pulls in thousands of visitors each and every year with tourists flocking to Merseyside from far and wide.

Source: Dave Wood via Twitter

Staycations have increased by almost a quarter since the Brexit negotiations were passed in the UK, whilst visitors from further afield have remained steady, with many travellers opting to enjoy some of the gems situated within Great Britain – and Liverpool is high on many lists. The World Museum is a great place to start and is ideal for visitors of all ages. Exhibitions range from the big bang through to a detailed look at the terracotta warriors and there is plenty of information to absorb as well as a number of fun activities to keep younger minds occupied. The Albert Dock points heavily towards the city’s significant maritime history and caters for both naval enthusiats and those looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy something to eat and drink.

Sports fans have multiple options with Anfield and Goodison Park situated within a stones throw from one another with regular Premier League matches staged at both stadiums throughout the season. For the bigger matches, tickets must be purchased in advance, although Liverpool FC are planning on increasing their capacity in the future, which will be make it easier to secure entry on the day. Aintree Racecourse is also situated reasonably close to the centre and is just a 20 minute drive away. Regular meetings are held throughout the year with April’s Grand National meeting the showcase event on the calendar. Few experiences can match watching the iconic steeplechase from the grandstand and, for those who are looking to get a step ahead, Oddschecker details the latest free bets available on the Grand National, including a £20 risk fee bet from Paddy Power, which can be used on the four mile event.

Source: Racegoers Club via Twitter

Liverpool is also a shoppers paradise with all major stores situated within the centre, whilst the spacious Echo Arena hosts a number of top artists on an almost nightly basis. Finally, you can’t visit the city without taking a magical mystery tour of the Cavern Club or enjoying the audio/visual experience served up by the Beatles Story providing numerous tales and facts on the Fab Four.

Visiting the City is a hugely enjoyable experience and it is advised to book at least a two night stay, which should allow enough time to cover the many delights that Liverpool has to offer. Whereever you may be travelling from and whatever type of trip you’re after, the city successfully caters for every kind of visitor.

From A To B – Tips For Picking The Right Delivery Method For You

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Are you a small business owner who needs something sent from your location to another location but you don’t want to shell out high prices for lacklustre service? Maybe the Post Office’s “Special Delivery” service just won’t cut it for what you need doing. What are some other options for getting those deliveries from A to B without breaking the bank? Check out some of the top ideas that you may not have considered.

Courier Services

If you have been looking for the perfect courier service that isn’t too expensive you might have had a look at all the major labels like FedEx and UPS. These companies are great for bigger businesses or budgets, but what about little guys like you? If you have a small budget or are a small business needing to get important documents, supplies or merchandise to a specific location in record time, Shiply is the place to check out. With their price comparison website, you can measure up the services and quotes from various local courier companies in your area which are well placed to provide quality service for a fraction of the cost of the bigger names.

Special Delivery Postal Service

Special Delivery is often guaranteed before 1PM but in order to take advantage of this specific postal option you need to adhere to a lot of requirements including getting the documents to the post office by a certain time or even getting them ready to go the night before. Special Delivery can also be quite hefty in price depending on what is being shipped, and so sometimes it’s a better option to look into smaller firms that work locally to hire for your shipping and couriering needs. Stop being held hostage at the hands of high courier or post office prices and check out other options available. You will be glad you did.

Taking It There In Person

When all else fails, if the item or documents are being delivered locally, sometimes the best thing to do is to do it yourself. Aside from petrol or fuel costs and time, taking it there yourself is ultimately free. This can be great for small businesses who have the time and next to no budget even if the document is going a bit further afield, otherwise you could be spending more money and time that would be better placed hiring someone through sites like Shiply to do it for you. So if it needs to go local but it’s not within a short drive or walk, consider hiring a local independent courier to take it for you. You might be surprised how many local couriers your locality has.

So there you have three ways to get documents or items from A to B without spending too much time or money. When it comes to courier services, it can be difficult to save money, especially with the bigger names. Don’t be just another kink in their chain and consider opting for a local courier who has your best interests at heart. You’ll be thrilled with the experience.