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2015 Grand National

74 go forward for the 2015 Crabbies' Grand National​
There are 74 horses going forward for the £1-million Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree following today's scratchings' stage. Last year 73 went forward at this stage and 57 in 2013. A maximum of 40 runners can line up for the 168th running of the world's most famous jump race at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 11. One of the main talking points this year is the participation of A P McCoy for the final time in the Crabbie's Grand National, which he won on Don't Push It in 2010. At the moment, he is expected to partner the favourite, Shutthefrontdoor, who is owned by J P McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill in Gloucestershire. Shutthefrontdoor is 8/1 with Betfred, official betting partner of the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National Festival. McManus retains the rider who is about to win his 20th and final jockeys' championship. McCoy will break another record if participating as expected in the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National. Last year he equalled the record for the most rides in the race - 19, matching Tom Olliver, who was successful three times (1842, 1843 & 1853). The weights continue to be headed by Lord Windermere (trained by Jim Culloty) on 11st 10lb. The nine-year-old won the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2014 and could bid to become only the third horse to win both races following Golden Miller and L'Escargot. Six of the first seven horses home in last year's Crabbie's Grand National remain engaged, headed by the victorious Pineau De Re (Dr Richard Newland). The 2014 runner-up Balthazar King (Philip Hobbs), fourth Alvarado (Fergal O'Brien), fifth Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls), sixth Chance Du Roy (Philip Hobbs) and seventh Monbeg Dude (Michael Scudamore) also go forward. A P McCoy said: "The Grand National is the most famous horserace in the world and to be able to take part each year is very exciting. "It was one of the greatest moments of my racing career to win the Grand National on Don't Push It. I had 14 attempts before Don't Push It came along. Jonjo (O'Neill) had him in unbelievable form and to win the Grand National for Noreen and J P McManus was amazing. It is a day I will never forget - I felt a lot of fulfilment. "We have Shutthefrontdoor and the Cheltenham winner Cause Of Causes - they are two I am most likely to have to choose from. Shutthefrontdoor won the Irish National and has not run since winning at Carlisle in November. If you look through the form book, the Carlisle race and the Irish National were not particularly strong, but he is trained by Jonjo O'Neill who has an unbelievably good record in training horses for staying chases. If I am on Shutthefrontdoor, he has a very good chance. "I have dreamt a lot in my life but I would not be silly enough to dream about winning the National again - it would be nice if it happened. Looking at the betting, the bookmakers seem to think it is going to happen and hopefully they are right. "I am sorry for all the failures I have had in the Grand National over the years and this will be the last time I let anybody down but hopefully I will go out on a high and shut the front door behind me! "Outside of the Grand National my favourite moment at Aintree was beating Istabraq on Pridwell." McCoy and other jockeys visit Alder Hey Hospital every year during the Crabbie's Grand National Festival. He added: "Going to Alder Hey is a very humbling experience. The staff, the nurses and the doctors do a fantastic job. You go there in the morning and it puts a lot of things into perspective." Rose Paterson, Chairman of Aintree Racecourse, said: "We have made a few innovations this year which we hope will enhance the Carnival atmosphere and give our racegoers the most fantastic time. We are also likely to have the classiest racing over the three days of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival that we have ever had. I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Halewood International for their stupendous generosity and enthusiasm." John Baker, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, said: "We have put a lot of our focus into Ladies Day (Friday, April 10) after it had fallen back a bit over a period of time. "This year, with the help of Halewood International, Crabbie's and Liverpool One, we are working hard on the day. This year's prize for the style contest is a Mini Roadstar and also £6,000 worth of goodies from Liverpool One. The winner will be announced in the parade ring. "Sales at the moment are tracking about 3,000 ahead which will get us up to an attendance of 45,000 to 46,000. "It will be A P McCoy's 20th Grand National ride, which is a record. I think he has a great chance of winning on Shutthefrontdoor. Whatever he rides will go off favourite and it would be a fairytale if he won." Peter Eaton, Deputy Chairman of Halewood International, said: "We have lots of good memories from our first year of sponsorship last year. It has generated more awareness of Crabbie's internationally and certainly put Crabbie's on the map. The sponsorship of this great race touches everybody around the world. "We joined with Help For Heroes to try and raise over £1 million for the charity. I am really excited that we are going to give them a global reach. It is so important we have this social responsibility at Aintree, Halewood International and Crabbie's." Andrew Tulloch, Clerk of the Course at Aintree Racecourse, reported the course in good condition and described the going as currently Good to Soft, Good in places on the National Course and Good, Good to Soft n places on the Mildmay & Hurdle Courses. Rain is forecast next week but watering may be necessary at some point. Last year's winning trainer Dr Richard Newland said: "Winning the Crabbie's Grand National last year with Pineau De Re was absolutely awesome. "I think Pineau De Re's form is OK - it has been a different campaign. Last year, we had to get in the race and so we raced him a lot to get him qualified. "This season we have always known he was going to be in the race and we have been trying to get him there in one piece. We have deliberately gone slowly, slowly. I think at one stage, I was going too slowly, slowly. I have been happy with his last two runs - not many National winners are running in the Pertemps Final over hurdles and he is twice the age of most of runners and giving weight away. "I have a phone call to make later on after Many Clouds, who Leighton (Aspell - winner on Pineau De Re) rides, was left in the national. "We have said to Leighton it is his ride if he is available. So many things can go wrong and it is pointless getting too bothered about the situation. Our horse is not a hard ride and we will find a jockey. "It was astonishing the reaction locally in Worcestershire after we won last year - most people seemed to have backed him. The Grand National is such a massive event. Why not back him this year. "Pineau is a superb horse and it is a great privilege to train him. I am sure he will run a very good race. "My other horse Royale Knight is not guaranteed a run yet. He is a super horse. We don't know whether he is up to this grade as he has never taken on horses of this quality before. Long distance races seem to suit him and he has been prepared for the race. He is in good form and we will definitely give it a shot if he gets in." John Provan, the owner of Pineau De Re, declared: "It has been very busy since winning last year - we have had lots of press and phone calls, with people from all over the world and lots of relatives congratulating us. "The preparation has been different this year - we were a bit behind but have caught up now. We are hoping Pineau De Re is a four and a half mile horse - at three miles he is very beatable but at four and a half miles he has never been beaten. We go there again trying to make history." Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, an Ambassador for Aintree Racecourse, said: "I owe a lot to Hello Bud for being the perfect introduction over the National fences. He loved them and was a stone better there than over regulation fences. "It did not work out for me on Tidal Bay last year but I will give it another go this year on Rocky Creek who schooled well yesterday. He is in great order and you need a bit of luck." Phil Smith, Head of Handicapping at the British Horseracing Authority who was responsible for framing the weights, said: "Whenever you have a Gold Cup winner as top-weight as there is in Lord Windermere you are pretty happy. "Unusually, there is a four-week gap between Cheltenham and Aintree this year which has encouraged trainers to run their horses at Cheltenham and be confident they have plenty of time to recover. "Rocky Creek won at Kempton about five weeks ago and he would be 9lb higher if I could change the weights. Rubi Light won a veterans' chase in Ireland about 10 days ago and he would be 7lb higher. "The Druids Nephew won at Cheltenham and has gone up 10lb. Soll is 7lb higher, Broadway Buffalo is 4lb higher, The Package, another Cheltenham winner, is 10lb higher and Goonyella, who won the recent Midlands National, would be 10lb higher. They are main horses who are well in and David Pipe, who is obviously a very shrewd trainer, has three horses who are ahead of the handicapper. "There are more of these well-in horses than I can remember and the cut-off point to get a run in the race will be around 10st 1lb." Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has six going forward for the Crabbie's Grand National, said: "Silviniaco Conti is on target for the meeting. As far as the Grand National goes, Unioniste's form looks a whole better as he was third to Coneygree - we have obviously trained him for the Grand National and he is an improving horse. The trip will suit him as long as there is plenty of cut in the ground. He and Rocky Creek have been trained specially for the race and we missed Cheltenham. "Sean Bowen is lined up for Mon Parrain, Nick Scholfield will ride Sam Winner, Sam (Twiston-Davies) is obviously on Rocky Creek, Noel Fehily is riding Unioniste, Ryan Mahon may ride Rebel Rebellion and I will sort the other one(s). Rocky Creek was very impressive at Kempton and he is in a better place this season. He and Unioniste are the main two but you never know - all of them deserve to run in the National." Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins said: "I hope to have a bigger than normal team for the Crabbie's Grand National Festival but have only one left in the Grand National, Ballycasey. I think the spring ground will be better for him and his breeding suggests he will stay the trip. I am looking forward to running him there. "All our Champion Hurdle horses will be entered in the Aintree Hurdle along with Annie Power who has been in good form since Cheltenham. Boston Bob will probably go the Melling Chase while I have entered a few in the Topham."Crabbie's Grand National - Betfred bet: 8/1 Shutthefrontdoor; 10/1 Rocky Creek; 12/1 Balthazar King, The Druids Nephew; 20/1 Cause Of Causes, Godsmejudge, Merry King, Spring Heeled, Unioniste; 25/1 Alvarado, Goonyella, Pineau de Re, Rebel Rebellion, Royale Knight, Soll, Teaforthree; 33/1 Al Co, Dolatulo, First Lieutenant, Lord Windermere, Many Clouds, Monbeg Dude, Night In Milan, Saint Are, Sam Winner; 40/1 Across The Bay, Benvolio, Chance du Roy, Corrin Wood, Court By Surprise, Double Ross, Gallant Oscar, Hadrian's Approach, Home Farm, Wyck Hill; 50/1 Any Currency, Ballycasey, Broadway Buffalo, Carlito Brigante, Duke Of Lucca, Mon Parrain, Mountainous, Oscar Time, Raz de Maree, Renard, Super Duty, The Package, Vintage Star; 66/1 Alpha Victor, Baileys Concerto, Bob Ford, Gas Line Boy, Guess Again, Harry The Viking, Owega Star, Portrait King, Rigadin de Beauchene, Rubi Light, Standing Ovation, Sydney Paget, The Rainbow Hunter, Tranquil Sea; 100/1 Ballyoliver, Ely Brown, Glenquest, Ikorodu Road, Lackamon, Maggio, Mart Lane, Neptune Equester, River Choice, Rose Of The Moon, Tales Of Milan; 200/1 American Spin. ¼ 1-2-3-4. NON-RUNNER NO BETCrabbie's Grand National Specials - Betfred bet: 4/5 Winner to carry 11st or over; Evs Winner to carry under 11st; 7/2 Irish-trained winner; 5/1 Paul Nicholls to train winner; 6/1 AP McCoy to ride winner; JP McManus to own winner; 10/1 Ruby Walsh to ride winner, Willie Mullins to train winner; 25/1 Female to ride winner. WIN ONLY

 
The Crabbie's Grand National
Grade 3, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 11, 2015. Four miles, three and a half furlongs. For seven-year-olds and upwards which, up to and including March 23, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 15. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 15 would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 15. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Entries closed February 3, entries revealed January 4 (98 entries - 1 subsequently scratched, 1 not qualified). Weights revealed Tuesday, February 17. First scratchings' deadline March 3 (87 remained). Second scratchings' deadline March 24 (74 remain). Five-day confirmation stage April 6. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 9. MAXIMUM 40 RUNNERS


Horse
Age
Wgt
Owner
Trainer
1)
LORD WINDERMERE (IRE)
9
11-10
Dr Ronan Lambe
Jim Culloty IRE
2)
MANY CLOUDS (IRE)
8
11-09
Trevor Hemmings
Oliver Sherwood
3)
SAM WINNER (FR)
8
11-08
Angela Yeoman
Paul Nicholls
4)
UNIONISTE (FR)
7
11-06
John Hales
Paul Nicholls
5)
ROCKY CREEK (IRE)
9
11-03
The Johnson & Stewart Families
Paul Nicholls
6)
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE)
10
11-03
Gigginstown House Stud
Mouse Morris IRE
7)
BALTHAZAR KING (IRE)
11
11-02
The Brushmakers
Philip Hobbs
8)
HOME FARM (IRE)
8
11-02
Chris Jones
Henry de Bromhead IRE
9)
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE)
8
11-02
J P McManus
Jonjo O'Neill
10)
DOUBLE ROSS (IRE)
9
11-01
Options O Syndicate
Nigel Twiston-Davies





11)
HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE)
8
11-00
Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes
Nicky Henderson
12)
PINEAU DE RE (FR)
12
11-00
John Provan
Dr Richard Newland
13)
BALLYCASEY (IRE)
8
10-13
Susannah Ricci
Willie Mullins IRE
14)
SPRING HEELED (IRE)
8
10-12
Dr Ronan Lambe
Jim Culloty IRE
15)
REBEL REBELLION (IRE)
10
10-12
Woodhouse, Sutton & Dobson
Paul Nicholls
16)
DOLATULO (FR)
8
10-11
Chasemore Farm
Warren Greatrex
17)
MON PARRAIN (FR)
9
10-11
John & Barbara Cotton
Paul Nicholls
18)
CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE)
9
10-10
06 Zoo Ltd
Karen McLintock
19)
NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE)
9
10-09
Richard Collins
Keith Reveley
20)
RUBI LIGHT (FR)
10
10-09
Bill Hennessy
Robert Hennessy IRE





21)
THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE)
8
10-09
The Stonehenge Druids
Neil Mulholland
22)
CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA)
7
10-09
J P McManus
Gordon Elliott IRE
23)
GODSMEJUDGE (IRE)
9
10-08
Favourites Racing (Syndication) Ltd
Alan King
24)
BENVOLIO (IRE)
8
10-08
Patricia Thompson
Paul Nicholls
25)
AL CO (FR)
10
10-08
Frank Lloyd
Peter Bowen
26)
MONBEG DUDE (IRE)
10
10-07
Oydunow
Michael Scudamore
27)
CORRIN WOOD (IRE)
8
10-07
Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield
Donald McCain
28)
THE RAINBOW HUNTER
11
10-07
May We Never Be Found Out Partnership
Kim Bailey
29)
TEAFORTHREE (IRE)
11
10-07
Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman
Rebecca Curtis
30)
SAINT ARE (FR)
9
10-06
David Fox
Tom George





31)
ACROSS THE BAY (IRE)
11
10-06
Scotch Piper Syndicate
Donald McCain
32)
TRANQUIL SEA (IRE)
13
10-05
Jean & Clemmie Shipp
Warren Greatrex
33)
MERRY KING (IRE)
8
10-05
Frank Gillespie
Jonjo O'Neill
34)
OSCAR TIME (IRE)
14
10-05
Robert Waley-Cohen
Robert Waley-Cohen
35)
BOB FORD (IRE)
8
10-04
The Bob Ford Partnership
Rebecca Curtis
36)
SUPER DUTY (IRE)
9
10-04
Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden
Ian Williams
37)
WYCK HILL (IRE)
11
10-04
J P McManus
David Bridgwater
38)
GAS LINE BOY (IRE)
9
10-04
Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club
Philip Hobbs
39)
CHANCE DU ROY (FR)
11
10-04
Daphne Du Pre
Philip Hobbs
40)
ALVARADO (IRE)
10
10-03
William & Angela Rucker
Fergal O'Brien





41)
PORTRAIT KING (IRE)
10
10-03
Marie Davis
Maurice Phelan IRE
42)
OWEGA STAR (IRE)
8
10-03
Anthony Callan/Siobhan Callan
Peter Fahey IRE
43)
RIVER CHOICE (FR)
12
10-03
Fergus Wilson
Richard Chotard FR
44)
COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE)
10
10-03
Nick Mustoe
Emma Lavelle
45)
ELY BROWN (IRE)
10
10-02
Countrywide Vehicle Rentals Taxi Hire
Charlie Longsdon
46)
RENARD (FR)
10
10-02
ROA Arkle Partnership
Venetia Williams
47)
ROYALE KNIGHT
9
10-02
Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan
Dr Richard Newland
48)
DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE)
10
10-02
Lesley Field
Philip Hobbs
49)
SOLL
10
10-02
Derrick Mossop
David Pipe
50)
BAILEYS CONCERTO (IRE)
9
10-02
United Five Racing & Andrew Sayer
Dianne Sayer





51)
RAZ DE MAREE (FR)
10
10-01
James Swan
Sandra Hughes IRE
52)
THE PACKAGE
12
10-00
The Johnson Family
David Pipe
53)
BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE)
7
10-00
Jo Tracey
David Pipe
54)
MAGGIO (FR)
10
10-00
Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont
Patrick Griffin IRE
55)
GUESS AGAIN (IRE)
10
10-00
Malcolm Denmark
Tony Martin IRE












56)
GOONYELLA (IRE)
8
9-13
Ann & Alan Potts Partnership
Jim Dreaper IRE
57)
GALLANT OSCAR (IRE)
9
9-13
Garrett Kelly
Tony Martin IRE
58)
SYDNEY PAGET (IRE)
8
9-13
Roger O'Byrne
Donald McCain
59)
VINTAGE STAR (IRE)
9
9-13
Trevor Hemmings
Sue Smith
60)
MOUNTAINOUS (IRE)
10
9-12
Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter
Richard Lee





61)
ALPHA VICTOR (IRE)
10
9-12
Denton, Kinsey, Osborne Hse, Wesley-Yates
William Kinsey
62)
MART LANE (IRE)
10
9-11
Geoff Thompson
Sophie Leech
63)
IKORODU ROAD
12
9-11
John Odell
Graeme McPherson
64)
RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR)
10
9-09
Andrew Wiles
Venetia Williams
65)
HARRY THE VIKING
10
9-09
Jim Beaumont, Douglas Pryde & Quona Thomson
Sandy Thomson
66)
ANY CURRENCY (IRE)
12
9-09
Cash Is King
Martin Keighley
67)
BALLYOLIVER
11
9-08
Richard Britten-Long
Venetia Williams
68)
GLENQUEST (IRE)
12
9-08
Coolglen Syndicate
Stuart Crawford IRE
69)
STANDING OVATION (IRE)
8
9-07
The Bravo Partnership
David Pipe
70)
LACKAMON
10
9-07
Sue Smith
Sue Smith





71)
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE)
10
9-05
Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners
David O'Meara
72)
AMERICAN SPIN
11
9-03
George Collacott & R Gadd
Luke Dace
73)
TALES OF MILAN (IRE)
8
9-01
Phil Middleton
Phil Middleton
74)
NEPTUNE EQUESTER
12
9-00
Jim Beaumont
Sandy Thomson

<tbody>
</tbody>

74 entries remain after March 24 scratchings deadline
15 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING 13 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE), ROLLING ACES (IRE), ALDERWOOD (IRE), BOSTON BOB, SHOTGUN PADDY, THEATRICAL STAR, ROI DU MEE (FR), KATENKO (FR), LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE), MAKE A TRACK (IRE), PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR), CEDRE BLEU (FR), BUDDY BOLERO (IRE)
 
Going to start kicking them up and guess at cut off ...

Wayne
Aintree on April 11 is still very much the plan for Godsmejudge, with Wayne Hutchinson set to renew acquaintances on Merseyside, where he is a general 20-1 chance.

"He's fine, all is OK," said King.

"He didn't like going back hurdling and the plan didn't work. All roads still lead to Aintree and Wayne will ride him."
 
Could Ruby end up on The Druids Nephew or Cause of Causes?
 
Martin said on Wednesday: "We'd love to give him a shot at Aintree and we're planning to wait and hope that he might get in.

"We'll probably leave him in the Irish National at the forfeit stage on Wednesday but we'll be keeping a close eye on how the field for Aintree is shaping up. Hopefully, we'll keep inching closer to the top 40."

Martin also trains Guess Again, who is number 55 in the Aintree list. However, he is likely to have another target.

"It's more likely that Guess Again will be aimed at either the Scottish National at Ayr or the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown," Martin said.
 
Druids has a jock...Aidan Coleman

Mulholland told the Racing Post: "A few names were put to the owners of the horse and Aidan was one of them. They have plumped for him to ride the horse in the Grand National.

"Obviously we are delighted as Aidan is a top class jockey and he will be schooling the horse in the coming days."
 
If the top 3 come out then the gamble on Shutthefrontdoor will start to look shaky, 11st 6lbs isn't a weight that I'd like a short priced fav with my money on to be carrying, 11st 3lbs is the cut off for me, lower than that if the ground comes up soft, then I'd be looking for something well under 11st.
 
Just 2/8 carrying 11 st or more finished in 2014.

Ground Good to soft.

2014 Grand National Result

1. Pineau De Re 25-1 (Leighton Aspell) 10-6

2. Balthazar King 14-1 (Richard Johnson) 10-13

3. Double Seven 10-1 J/F (AP McCoy) 10-11

4. Alvarado 33-1 (Paul Moloney) 10-2

5. Rocky Creek 16-1 (Noel Fehily) 11-5

6. Chance Du Roy 33-1 (Tom O'Brien) 10-6

7. Monbeg Dude 16-1 (Paul Carberry) 10-9

8. Raz De Maree 50-1 (Davy Condon) 10-3

9. Swing Bill 66-1 (Conor O'Farrell) 10-1

10. Kruzhlinin 100-1 (Wilson Renwick) 10-6

11. Buckers Bridge 66-1 (AE Lynch) 10-10

12. The Package 14-1 (Tom Scudamore) 10-4

13. Vesper Bell 40-1 (Katie Walsh) 10-5

14. Across The Bay 50-1 (Henry Brooke) 10-11

15. Mr Moonshine 20-1 (Ryan Mania) 10-12

16. Prince De Beauchene 20-1 (Paul Townend) 10-10

17. Hunt Ball 50-1 (Andrew Tinkler) 11-7

18. Hawkes Point 50-1 (Ryan Mahon) 10-6

Non-finishers:

Fence 1: Twirling Magnet (fell)

Fence 2: Burton Port (unseated)

Fence 3: Big Shu (fell)

Fence 6 (Becher's Brook): Last Time D'Albain (unseated)

Fence 8 (Canal Turn): Tidal Bay and Our Father (unseated), Golan Way (fell)

Fence 9 (Valentine's Brook): Long Run and Mountainous (fell), The Rainbow Hunter (unseated)

Fence 15 (The Chair): Teaforthree unseated

Fence 20: Shakalakaboomboom (pulled up)

Fence 21: Quito De La Roque (pulled up)

Fence 22 (Becher's Brook): Tricolo D'Alene (pulled up), One In A Milan (fell)

Fence 25 (Valentine's Brook): Colbert Station (pulled up)

Fence 26: Vintage Star (pulled up) Rose of the Moon (fell)

Fence 27: Lion Na Bernai (pulled up)

Fence 28: Wayward Prince (fell)

Fence 29: Walkon (pulled up)

Did not start: Battle Group

Distances: 5, 1¼, 10, 2½, sh, 3, 16, sh, 4½, 2½, 18, 6, 2, 7, 37, 33, 1

Time: 9m 09.90s
 
2013 Grand National Result

15 horses carried 11st or more just 4 finished - only 1 in first 10



1. Auroras Encore (Ryan Mania) 66-1 10-3

2. Cappa Bleu (Paul Moloney) 12-1 10-11

3. Teaforthree (Nick Scholfield) 10-1 11-3

4. Oscar Time (Sam Waley-Cohen) 66-1 10-1

5. Rare Bob (Bryan Cooper) 16-1 10-11

6. Swing Bill (Conor O'Farrell) 80-1 10-6

7 . Soll 10-2

8. Tarquinius 10-2

9. Saint Are 10-8

10. Always Waining 10-10

11. Major Malarkey 10-1

12. Join Together 11-2

13. Seabass (11-2 favourite) 11-6

14. Across The Bay 11-2

15. Balthazar King 10-12

16. Quiscover Fontaine 10-7

17. Any Currency 10-0
 
2012 Grand National

10 horses carrying more than 11st

4/10 finished including winner and 6th placed horse

Ground Good, Good to Soft in places

1. Neptune Collonges (Daryl Jacob) 33-1 11-6

2. Sunnyhillboy (Richie McLernon) 16-1 10-5

3. Seabass (Ms Katie Walsh) 8-1JF 10-12

4. Cappa Bleu (Paul Moloney) 16-1 10-10

5. In Compliance (Niall Madden) 100-1 10-0

6. Ballabriggs 11-9

7. Hello Bud 10-0

8. Tharawaat 10-4

9. Shakalakaboomboom 10-12

10. Swing Bill 10-3

11. The Midnight Club 10-8

12. Planet of Sound 11-5

13. Neptune Equester 10-5

14. Calgary Bay 11-6

15. Midnight Haze 10-0
 
In my mind these are the most important nationals as run over new fences etc. Also inclined to think last two are the really important ones as we will not be allowed to have good ground again.

Very reluctant to back anything over 11st based on this.
 
Pineau De Re in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree a week on Saturday, according to John Provan.
Pineau De Re is looking to make it back-to-back victories at the showpiece event, following on from victory under Leighton Aspell 12 months ago.

However, Aspell is set to partner Many Clouds this year and Jacob has been called on to step in and go in hunt of the victory.

Jacob, who won the Grand National aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges three years ago, has been backed by Provan, who feels he has more than enough experience.

Provan said: "We spoke to Leighton on Saturday and he's going to ride Many Clouds, so we've booked Daryl Jacob to ride our horse.

"Daryl is a top-class jockey and was Richard's main rider until he got the big job with Paul Nicholls a while back.

"We then used Sam Twiston-Davies quite a lot until Paul Nicholls also spotted him and Sam replaced Daryl.

"We've always thought a lot of Daryl and he's a Grand National-winning jockey. He has plenty of experience riding in the race, which counts for a lot.

"Daryl will come and school the horse this week and we'll see if he can go and win back-to-back Grand Nationals, which would be quite an achievement."
 
runner in the National.

"A lot can happen in the next fortnight, but we've not done a lot with him since the Gold Cup and that is the plan.

"There's nothing else for him, but I've always thought he would be a National horse at some stage.

"It was a teamwork decision (to run him in the National). He did his first bit of light work on Saturday and we were very happy with him.

"It has always been a dream for Mr Hemmings and whether we've made the right decision, time will tell.

Profiles Many Clouds Saint Are
"I presume [Leighton Aspell] will ride him, rather than Pineau, as he rides most of mine

Meanwhile, Tom George has confirmed Saint Are on course for the race and "in great form".

"We had a trip away with him on Friday (March 27) and went down to Lambourn," said the trainer. "He did some work and had a schooling session over the Grand National fences. Obviously, he has jumped over them before but it was good to have a day out with him.

"We couldn't be happier with him at present. He looks like he has really come on for the spring weather, which he has done in the past. He really looks fantastic."
 
Court by Surprise thoughts ?

Court By Surprise, an overpriced 50-1 shot allotted 10st 3lb, has overcome two serious problems — a leg injury when falling on his point-to-point debut and an infected leg which kept him off the course for almost two years and could have ended his career.

Lavelle added: 'Having missed the best part of two years, he has not had much racing but maybe it is a blessing in disguise; he is so much stronger. Now, he's the best he's ever been.'
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Positive report on Alvardo


Fergal O'Brien was delighted with last year's Crabbie's Grand National fourth Alvarado after he warmed up Aintree with a work-out at Newbury this morning.

O'Brien took his stable star to Newbury as part of his prepartions for a return to Merseyside on April 11.

The 10-year-old, who is a best-priced 25-1 chance with most bookmakers for the National - worked well under big-race jockey Paul Moloney, who been placed in the last six Aintree marathon aboard Alvarado, and the Evan Williams-trained duo Cappa Bleu and State Of Play - all owned by the Rucker family.

Alvarado was fifth in a veterans' chase at Doncaster on his only start this season and speaking shortly after the gallop, O'Brien said: "He worked over a mile and six furlongs with a stablemate and went really well. Paul was happy with him and he was very good. Fingers crossed for Aintree - we're very happy with him."

Although Aintree have encouraged big-race contenders to use National-style fences at four locations in Britain and Ireland as preparation, O'Brien doesn't feel he needs to do so with Alvarado before the big day.

He added: "We didn't do it last year so we won't do it this year."
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Ballycasey to run ?

"Ballycasey looks like our only runner in the National, and I'll have to see about the novice chases and hurdles."
 
David Bass is booked for the rainbow hunter.

Tom Scudamire expected to be on Soll. Pipe thinks rest of his will miss out.
 
Bass reported The Rainbow Hunter full of enthusiasm following the session at Lambourn and the jockey is hoping his mount can put in a clear round after not getting far in the last two Nationals.

"He's been there the last two years and the furthest he's got is Valentine's (ninth fence), so hopefully we can get a bit further," Bass told Racing UK.

"He's got the right attitude. He hasn't got a lot of weight, so a clear round and we'll see what happens. I jumped off him after the gallops (on Monday morning) and he nearly ran away with me.

"I told Kim it was as though he was two or three, he's got so much enthusiasm. The fact he's 11 and he's had a long absence is not going to worry me."

Donald McCain has booked Henry Brooke for Across The Bay and Wilson Renwick for Corrin Wood after Jason Maguire decided to miss the rest of the campaign to give him time to cure a back problem.

Maguire, who gained Aintree glory on Ballabriggs for McCain in 2011, has been struggling with the injury since taking a fall at Catterick last month, but is aiming to be 100 per cent for the start of next season.

McCain is hoping Across The Bay fares better than last year when he was almost carried right off the track by a loose horse when leading the field as they were about to set off on the final circuit.

"He's been so unlucky, it's not true," the Cheshire trainer told the Guardian.

"He was running a good race at the Cheltenham Festival (in the Kim Muir) when he got brought down last time. He's in good order."

Corrin Wood is now pleasing McCain after pulling muscles at Haydock in January.

"He had a racecourse gallop the other day, so we're getting close," said McCain. "I've always thought of him as an Aintree horse. Wilson Renwick rides."

Rocky Creek and Unioniste will head Paul Nicholls' four-strong team, supported by Royal Rebellion and Mon Parrain.

The Ditcheat handler has, however, has yet to make a final decision on his two other entries, Sam Winner and Benvolio.
 
Monbeg Dude, owned by a trio of former rugby players from the county, is on course for a second crack at the Crabbie's Grand National.

James Simpson-Daniel, Nicky Robinson and Mike Tindall saw the 10-year-old finish seventh last year for their Oydunow syndicate, run in partnership with his trainer, Michael Scudamore.

Monbeg Dude would have to bounce back from a rare disappointing run at the Cheltenham Festival, where he ran wearing a new piece of equipment.

The trainer said: "He was disappointing at Cheltenham. He was in good form going into it and has been bright and happy since, so all we can put it down to is that he didn't like the tongue-strap. He was never travelling the way he can during the race.

"All going well we'll head on to Aintree now, because as I say, he seems really well and happy in himself at the moment.

"I'm not sure who will ride him. I'll have a chat with the owners and make a decision nearer the time."

Scudamore's brother Tom is the most likely candidate if he is not required to ride for David Pipe.



Read more: http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.u...tory-26228776-detail/story.html#ixzz3VwUYRQ3E

Thought Carberry would be up ?
 
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