Grand National Board Game - They're Off!

The horses are off and running. 2nd favourite Brown Sugar leads the field closely followed by Miserlou and Golden Boy.

The horses on the outside of the track are all off to a flyer! This middle bunch contains Connemara Lad, Gun Metal, Bouncing Czech, Runaway Train and Bates Motel.

Bringing up the rear is Mr Pitiful.

Two of the cards drawn, showing how some horses benefited, two horses with blue caps Hi Ho Silver and Marathon Man picked up two extra handicap for the entire race. The second card explains why the horses on the outer tracks are advancing so quickly.

End of turn two, Brown Sugar and Maggie May are three lengths clear having successfully negotiated the Canal Turn.

The chasing group have cleared Bechers Brook consisting of Golden Boy, Gun Metal, Hot Pursuit and Runaway Train mid jump, followed by Bouncing Czech.

The rest of the field are jostling for position as they tackle the fences.

The back marker is now Marathon Man, who was badly blocked in and couldn't move.

The first faller is Flying Tart who fell at Fence 4, very unlucky as the horse had just picked up a +2 to its handicap mark.

End of turn three and Brown Sugar pulls far ahead, too far in fact, as it incurs a -2 to his stamina for the remainder of the race.

Eleven lengths behind are Hot Pursuit and Mountaineer. Fourth, fifth and sixth are Maggie May, Joliet Jake and Golden Boy respectively.

A four length gap to the main chasing pack.

The three tail enders are Doctor Marvellous, Housewives Choice and Mr Pitiful.

Overview of the race so far.

6/1 favourite Gun Metal went lame at the 10th fence and had to be pulled up.

To be continued...

Grand National Board Game

The latest board game to the collection, a second hand but barely played eBay purchase.

A bit different for me again, a horse racing game but with a lot of thought and tactics needed, no dice are used in this game.

The famous Aintree Racecourse and the horses lined up for the start of the Grand National.

Both Jump and Turf cards can and will make a big difference to the fate of each horse.

Horses drawn randomly for this solo game, little point in holding an auction as would be the case in a multiplayer game. Each card gives information about the horse including its all important handicap mark as well as adjusted handicap ratings, dependent of the going on the day of the race. This is the four horses of Primrose Lodge Stables.

Meadowlands Stables

The Paddocks Stables.

Waterside Gallops Stables.

The Chase Stables.

Whitehouse Racing Stables.

The horses at the start line, each stables horses carry their stable colour on the jockey's silks, each horse within that stable is identified by either a red, black, white or blue cap. The cap colour is matched by the horses base for easier identification. Each stables most valuable horse wears a read cap, then next most a black cap etc.

The all important spin for today's going. Firm it is, so all horses have the maximum 64 speed points for use in this race.

Now the going is known, all horses Handicap Mark is adjusted to match the conditions. Some horses gain a big advantage on this going, others lose out dramatically. Yellow Stable is a good example, though Mr Whiplash in the red cap was the most valuable horse, his handicap dropped due to the conditions. However, Gun Metal in the white cap improved his handicap significantly.

Poor old Mr Pitiful has a handicap now of zero! He has to rely on his speed points and any bonus he may pick up along the way, it is doubtful he will even finish the race.

With the revised handicap ratings I can now make up the bookmaker's flimsy with all the odds. You can also bet in this game, but again, as I am solo I didn't bother.

Gun Metal is the clear favourite on 6/1 with Brown Sugar second favourite on 8/1 etc.

Mr Pitiful and Housewives Choice with a zero handicap rating are 150/1 long shots.

Now we are ready for starters orders and get the Grand National underway.

A small American Civil War Battle

Setting up for a small fictitious battle. A sleepy town somewhere along the Pennsylvania and Maryland Railway (P&M).

The town of Barnett's Meadow

Deep in the Union heartland.

The railway line carries vital supplies to the Union Army of the Potomac, currently far to the south.

After a long, sweeping ride, a Confederate cavalry brigade with attached horse artillery arrives in the town. Its mission to close the line and prevent further supplies reaching the Union troops.

A Division of Longstreet's Corps has been diverted from Lee's Army to take over the defence of the area and it is hoped to draw in Union troops currently attempting to track Bobby Lee's main force.

I shall use Black Powder for this encounter with the Glory Hallelujah supplement.

War of the Ring Board Game - Second Expansion.

Picked up the second expansion today from my local gaming store.

A shed load of new tarot sized cards, two new dice and 48 new miniatures.

From left to right, for the shadow we have Giant Spiders, Corsairs of Umbar and Wild Hillmen of Dunland. For the Free Peoples we have Ents, Dead Men of Dunharrow and Great Eagles of the Misty Mountains.

There are eight of each sculpt.

They are now all having a bath in warm soapy water in readiness for basing and priming.

War of the Ring Board Game

My newest game is a monster. A classic for sure.

Received an extra 15% discount at my local game store.

The first expansion, the second 'Warriors of Middle Earth' has been ordered for me.

Though not really a fantasy fan, Lord of the Rings was a classic I read as a young teen, loved it and the movies too of course. I shall attempt to paint all the figures this year and make it a unique copy to me. Plus I don't really like playing with unpainted pieces.

From watching unboxings and play throughs, it seems the minis will need swords and spears straightening (hot and cold water dip) flash clean up, soapy wash and finally priming before the actual painting can begin.

It should be fun to do as I have never attempted to paint anything like this before.