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Released to coincide with the world's greatest steeplechase, Grand National puts you in the saddle as you race around the legendary Aintree circuit, coping with the likes of The Chair, Beecher's Brook and Canal Turn. The combination of top-down and side-on views works very well. You need to pace your race carefully, watching your energy levels, avoiding other horses and using the whip wisely. On top of all this horse-foolery, you can even place bets on the race yourself. By the way, in 1985 the real race was won by West Tip. So there.

AFICIONADOS of the turf will doubtless be queueing up for the latest Elite game, Grand National. If, however, you are seeking quick and easy reparations for your failure to back Last Suspect a few weeks ago, forget it.

The game is part simulation, part arcade in style. The first section involves choosing a mount for the race. You are offered a selection from the field, and information for the condition of the course.

Then it is into the arcade section for the race itself. An overhead view of the course shows other horses attempting to get into position. A further screen in the corner shows a view of the horse from the side, to enable you to judge the jumps as they come. That is the difficult part. You have to jump at just the right point to clear the fence, and must have built up a fair speed through constant use of the whip.

The graphics are a little lacklustre and the excellent animation does mean the horses, although realistic, move somewhat slowly. More of an amble than a gallop, one might say. The frustration of falling off your horse at the first fence 25 times in a row is off-putting, but you will eventually find it possible to complete at least one lap before your nag finally flops to the ground in total exhaustion.


Publisher Elite Price £6.95
Memory 48K
****

Chris Bourne

GRAND NATIONAL
Elite / £6.95

Roger: Offering an each-way bet on punter interest (aarghh!), Elite has combined most facets of Aintree's only claim to be anything other than a centre of unusually high unemployment. After all, isn't it better to train people to infest the bookie's rather than hang about on street corners?
The packaging has the essential form guide, which introduced rank outsiders to the opening screens of listed equestrian delights, whose odds change as racing history progresses. Besides the opportunity to spread basic stake money through the field, a player is also given the chance to take Spectrum reins in hand, riding a chosen nag.
The thunderous assault in Liverpudlian turf is represented by a sectionalised action profile of your trusty steed. This allows judgement of fearsome hedge approaches, and an aerial 'plan' view of fences, jumps and all the other old donkeys thrashing about, to facilitate barging one's way through to the front ... This is one game that ain't gonna be pulling a 48K milkfloat the day after. 5/5

Dave: This is a pretty safe bet. It could be a touch faster in the race sequence but the horsey graphics are well observed and the betting side of it adds just the right amour of excitement. Go on, 'ave a flutter! 4/5

Ross: Too slow for a true arcade and the graphics reminded me of those 'flick' books. If you don't go down the bookies, don't bother. 2/5