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4th in 2014
The exert below was before the 2014 race
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Alvarado (IRE) 9-10-02
Breeding: ch g Goldmark (USA) - Mrs Jones (IRE) (Roselier (FR))
Breeder: P Joyce
Born: March 23, 2005
Owner: William & Angela Rucker
Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Form: 21/0112P/111/R2/U156R3-51P
*Entered Crabbie's Grand National picture when relishing the step up to just short of three and a half miles in the Grade Three Murphy Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November, scoring decisively by two lengths.
*Purchased privately by William & Angela Rucker after recording a three-timer over fences for northern handler Howard Johnson in March, 2011.
*Will be bidding to continue a brilliant record for the Ruckers in the Crabbie's Grand National, who have had a horse placed in the last five renewals; State Of Play was fourth twice (2009 & 2011) and third in 2010, while Cappa Bleu was fourth in 2012 and second last year - all trained by Evan Williams.
*He was pulled up in a Cheltenham long-distance handicap chase run on very soft ground on January 1.
Race record: Starts: 21; Wins: 8; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £60,239
William & Angela Rucker
Background: William Rucker, born on June 18, 1963, has been chief executive of Lazard's London operations and has been since June, 2004. He is also deputy chief executive of the European investment banking business at Lazard. The bank dates back to 1848 and is one of the world's pre-eminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operating from 40 cities across 24 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. William joined Lazard in 1987, having previously qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He is also non-executive chairman of Quintain Estates and Development plc and Crest Nicholson Holdings Ltd, and was a non-executive director of Rentokil Initial from 2008 to March, 2013. His wife Angela is from a legendary point-to-point family, as the grand-daughter of Major Harold Rushton, who rode 86 winners, and the daughter of Pat Tollitt, who partnered 171 winners between the flags and was champion lady rider on six occasions. Racing interests: amazing, five of their six runners in the Crabbie's Grand National have been placed. Angela herself is also a talented rider and trains pointers and the couple's daughter Emily also rides in point-to-points. The Ruckers are based at Himbleton in Worcestershire and also have horses with Evan Williams and a variety of point-to-point trainers, including Sheila Crow, who trained their Cappa Bleu to win the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. Horses that progress to run under Rules are principally sent to Evan Williams, who has been well supported by Angela's family since he began training in 2003. Major wins: Hennessy Gold Cup (2006 State Of Play), Charlie Hall Chase (2008 State Of Play), Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (2008 High Chimes), Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase (2009 Cappa Bleu). Crabbie's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th); 2012 Cappa Bleu (4th); State Of Play (UR 5th); 2013 Cappa Bleu (4th)
Fergal O'Brien (Coln Saint Dennis, Gloucestershire)
Born August 19, 1972 Background: started riding ponies at the age of nine. Worked at Andrew McNamara's at weekends and during school holidays, before spending two months in England with Doug Francis at the age of 14. After finishing his schooling, he went to the British Racing School in 1989 and shortly afterwards was sent to Tim Forster's yard, where he worked for three years. Joined private trainer Colin Cowley to pursue a career as a jockey, but, after two rides, realised it was not for him and joined the Nigel Twiston-Davies' team in July, 1992. Spent 19 years at Grange Hill Farm, including 17 as head lad. Successfully started training point-to-pointers in 2005, while working for Nigel and was champion point-to-point trainer in West Midlands area for four seasons. Took out his own licence in September, 2011 and has progressed each season, with the current one being his best. He is based at jockey Timmy Murphy's Cilldara Stud near Fossebridge in Gloucestershire. No previous runners in Crabbie's Grand National
The exert below was before the 2014 race
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Alvarado (IRE) 9-10-02
Breeding: ch g Goldmark (USA) - Mrs Jones (IRE) (Roselier (FR))
Breeder: P Joyce
Born: March 23, 2005
Owner: William & Angela Rucker
Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Form: 21/0112P/111/R2/U156R3-51P
*Entered Crabbie's Grand National picture when relishing the step up to just short of three and a half miles in the Grade Three Murphy Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November, scoring decisively by two lengths.
*Purchased privately by William & Angela Rucker after recording a three-timer over fences for northern handler Howard Johnson in March, 2011.
*Will be bidding to continue a brilliant record for the Ruckers in the Crabbie's Grand National, who have had a horse placed in the last five renewals; State Of Play was fourth twice (2009 & 2011) and third in 2010, while Cappa Bleu was fourth in 2012 and second last year - all trained by Evan Williams.
*He was pulled up in a Cheltenham long-distance handicap chase run on very soft ground on January 1.
Race record: Starts: 21; Wins: 8; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £60,239
William & Angela Rucker
Background: William Rucker, born on June 18, 1963, has been chief executive of Lazard's London operations and has been since June, 2004. He is also deputy chief executive of the European investment banking business at Lazard. The bank dates back to 1848 and is one of the world's pre-eminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operating from 40 cities across 24 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. William joined Lazard in 1987, having previously qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He is also non-executive chairman of Quintain Estates and Development plc and Crest Nicholson Holdings Ltd, and was a non-executive director of Rentokil Initial from 2008 to March, 2013. His wife Angela is from a legendary point-to-point family, as the grand-daughter of Major Harold Rushton, who rode 86 winners, and the daughter of Pat Tollitt, who partnered 171 winners between the flags and was champion lady rider on six occasions. Racing interests: amazing, five of their six runners in the Crabbie's Grand National have been placed. Angela herself is also a talented rider and trains pointers and the couple's daughter Emily also rides in point-to-points. The Ruckers are based at Himbleton in Worcestershire and also have horses with Evan Williams and a variety of point-to-point trainers, including Sheila Crow, who trained their Cappa Bleu to win the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. Horses that progress to run under Rules are principally sent to Evan Williams, who has been well supported by Angela's family since he began training in 2003. Major wins: Hennessy Gold Cup (2006 State Of Play), Charlie Hall Chase (2008 State Of Play), Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (2008 High Chimes), Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase (2009 Cappa Bleu). Crabbie's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th); 2012 Cappa Bleu (4th); State Of Play (UR 5th); 2013 Cappa Bleu (4th)
Fergal O'Brien (Coln Saint Dennis, Gloucestershire)
Born August 19, 1972 Background: started riding ponies at the age of nine. Worked at Andrew McNamara's at weekends and during school holidays, before spending two months in England with Doug Francis at the age of 14. After finishing his schooling, he went to the British Racing School in 1989 and shortly afterwards was sent to Tim Forster's yard, where he worked for three years. Joined private trainer Colin Cowley to pursue a career as a jockey, but, after two rides, realised it was not for him and joined the Nigel Twiston-Davies' team in July, 1992. Spent 19 years at Grange Hill Farm, including 17 as head lad. Successfully started training point-to-pointers in 2005, while working for Nigel and was champion point-to-point trainer in West Midlands area for four seasons. Took out his own licence in September, 2011 and has progressed each season, with the current one being his best. He is based at jockey Timmy Murphy's Cilldara Stud near Fossebridge in Gloucestershire. No previous runners in Crabbie's Grand National
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