A guide to the Grand National
Aintree Festival Trends by Tony Ward Get our free newsletter for Grand National and other tips. The 2011 John Smith’s Grand National Meeting -Day 1 2:00 – BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 110y Key Trends • 5 of the last 7 renewals were won by a horse placed in 1st 3 in the World Hurdle • All 7 winners had won or finished 2nd at this meeting previously • 6yo and 7yo have won all 7 renewals • All 7 winners started in the first three in the betting Recent Festival Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Big Buck’s 7 Paul Nicholls 30/100F 2009 Big Buck’s 6 Paul Nicholls 5/6F 2008 Blazing Bailey 6 Alan King 6/1 2007 Mighty Man 7 Henry Daly 15/8 2006 Mighty Man 6 Henry Daly 11/4 2005 Monet’s Garden 7 Nicky Richards 11/2 2004 Iris’s Gift 7 Jonjo O’Neill 4/7F 2:35 – Matalan Anniversary 4yo Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 110y Key Trends • 9 of the last 11 winners contested the Triumph Hurdle • 17 of the last 21 winners had won at least twice over hurdles • 6 of the last 12 renewals have been won by French bred horses Recent Festival Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Orsippus 4 Michael Smith 40/1 2009 Walkon 4 Alan King 2/1F 2008 Binocular 4 Nicky Henderson 11/8F 2007 Katchit 4 Alan King EvsF 2006 Detroit City 4 Phillip Hobbs 3/1F 2005 Faasel 4 Nicky Richards 11/4F 2004 Al Elle 4 John Queally 25/1 2003 Le Duo 4 Paul Nicholls 33/1 2002 Quazar 4 Jonjo O’Neill 16/1 2001 Bilboa 4 Francois Doumen 7/4F 2000 Lord Brex 4 Phillip Hobbs 15/2 3:10 – Totesport Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f Key Trends • 19 of the last 27 winners ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup • 8 of the last 13 winners finished in the first three in the King George VI Chase • Irish trained horses have won only 3 of the 27 renewals Recent Grand National meeting Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 What A Friend 7 Paul Nicholls 5/2 2009 Madison Du Berlais 8 David Pipe 12/1 2008 Our Vic 10 David Pipe 9/1 2007 Exotic Dancer 7 Jonjo O’Neill 6/4F 2006 Celestial Gold 8 Martin Pipe 8/1 2005 Grey Abbey 11 Howard Johnson 7/2 2004 Tiutohev 11 Martin Pipe 11/2 2003 First Gold 10 Francois Doumen 14/1 2002 Florida Pearl 10 Willie Mullins 5/2 2001 First Gold 8 Francois Doumen 7/4F 2000 See More Business 10 Paul Nicholls 5/4F
3:45 – John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase 2m 5f 110y Key Trends • 8 of the last 9 winners were not from pointing or hunting backgrounds • 16 of the last 18 winners won or were placed last time out • 25 of the last 27 winners were aged 9 or older • 16 of the last 18 winners started in the first four in the betting • 15 of the last 16 winners raced predominantly • Only 1 Irish winner in the last 28 years Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Silver Adonis 9 Dr Richard Newland 50/1 2009 Trust Fund 11 Richard Barber 13/2 2008 Christy Beamish 11 Paul Jones 6/1 2007 Scots Grey 12 Nicky Henderson 9/2 2006 Katarino 11 Robert Waley-Cohen 11/2 2005 Katarino 10 Robert Waley-Cohen 100/30F 2004 Forest Gunner 10 Richard Ford 13/2 2003 Divet Hill 9 Ann Hamilton 11/2 2002 Torduff Express 11 Paul Nicholls 8/1 2001 Gunner Welburn 9 Caroline Bailey 4/1JF 2000 Bells Life 11 Phillip Hobbs 11/2
4:20 – Matalan Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m Key Trends • 21 of the last 23 winners were aged 9 or younger • 6 of the last 9 winners were novices • 7 of the last 9 runners carried under 11st Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Chaninbar 7 Milton Harris 20/1 2009 Oh Crick 6 Alan King 7/1CF 2008 Stan 9 Venetia Williams 25/1 2007 Bambi de L’Orme 8 Ian Williams 13/2 2006 Jaoks Oralo 7 John Spearing 10/1 2005 Fota Island 9 Mouse Morris 100/30F 2004 Tidour 8 Paul Webber 5/1F 2003 Golden Alpha 9 Martin Pipe 7/1 2002 Dark ‘n’ Sharp 7 Richard Phillips 6/1F 2001 Aghawadda Gold 9 Tom Tate 12/1 2000 Jungil 7 Paul Webber 12/1
4:55 – Totepool Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f Key Trends • The race has only had two renewals • Both winners were in the first three in the betting • Both winners ran in the Arkle • No winning favourite so far Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Mad Max 8 Nicky Henderson 4/1 2009 Tartak 6 Tom George 11/2
5:30 – Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 4f Key Trends • 18 of the last 22 winners had won earlier in the season • 9 of the last 11 winners started at double figure prices • Only 1 of the last 22 winners carried less than 10st 4lb Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Sir Harry Ormesher 7 Alan King 16/1 2009 Sunnyhillboy 6 Jonjo O’Neill 8/1 2008 Auroras Encore 6 Sue Smith 50/1 2007 Two Miles West 6 Jonjo O’Neill 25/1 2006 Strangely Brown 5 Eric McNamare 10/1 2005 Genghis 6 Peter Bowen 10/1 2004 Zibeline 7 Brain Ellison 12/1 2003 Patriot Games 9 Charlie Swan 16/1 2002 Ravenswood 5 Martin Pipe 7/4F 2001 Crazy Horse 8 Len Lungo 20/1 2000 Quakers Field 7 Gary Moore 16/1
Grand National Meeting Day 2 2:00 – John Smith Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 110y Key Trends • 15 of the last 20 winners were in the front 4 in the market • 11 of the last 14 winners finished first or second last time out • Only 2 four year old winners in the last 13 renewals Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 General Miller 5 Nicky Henderson 7/1 2009 El Dancer 5 Lucy Wadham 14/1 2008 Pierrot Lunaire 4 Paul Nicholls 5/1 2007 Blythe Knight 7 John Quinn 14/1 2006 Straw Bear 5 Nick Gifford 2/1F 2005 Mighty Man 5 Henry Daly 3/1 2004 Royal Shakespeare 5 Steve Gollings 25/1 2003 Limerick Boy 5 Venetia Williams 5/1 2002 In Contrast 6 Phillip Hobbs 5/2 2001 Illoo II 5 Phillip Hobbs 16/1 2000 Phardante Flyer 6 Phillip Hobbs 5/1
2:35 – Matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f Key Trends• 26 of the last 29 winners had won at least twice over fences • 18 of the last 20 winners had won over 3 miles plus • 20 of the last 23 winners were aged no older than 8 • 21 of the last 22 winners started at single figure odds • 5 of the last 6 winners ran in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Burton Port 6 Nicky Henderson 9/2 2009 Killyglen 7 Howard Johnson 7/1 2008 Big Buck’s 5 Paul Nicholls 11/4 2007 Aces Four 8 Ferdy Murphy 5/2F 2006 Star De Mohaison 5 Paul Nicholls 11/4F 2005 Like-A-Butterfly 11 Christy Loche 6/1 2004 Simply Supreme 7 Sue Smith 13/2 2003 Irish Hussar 7 Nicky Henderson 3/1 2002 Barton 9 Tim Easterby 3/1F 2001 What’s Up Boys 7 Phillip Hobbs 12/1 2000 High Game 6 Simon Sherwood 9/1 3:10 – John Smith’s Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f Key Trends • 19 of the 20 winners had won over 2m4f • 12 of the last 16 winners started favourite or second favourite • 14 of the 20 winners had placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd at this meeting previously • Horses aged 7yo or younger have won 1 renewal since 1991 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Albertas Run 9 Jonjo O’Neill 8/1 2009 Voy Por Ustedes 8 Alan King 11/8F 2008 Voy Por Ustedes 7 Alan King 5/1 2007 Monet’s Garden 9 Nicky Richards 4/1 2006 Hi Cloy 9 Michael Hourigan 14/1 2005 Moscow Flyer 11 Jessica Harrington 4/9F 2004 Moscow Flyer 10 Jessica Harrington EvsF 2003 Native Upmanship 10 Arthur Moore 6/4F 2002 Native Upmanship 9 Arthur Moore 100/30JF 2001 Fadalko 8 Paul Nicholls 9/2 2000 Direct Route 9 Howard Johnson 11/8F
3:45 – John Smith’s Topham Chase (Listed) 2m 5f 110yds Key Trends • 13 of the last 18 winners had raced 7 or more times in the season • 34 of the 37 winners of the race were aged 8 or over • 8 out of the last 10 winners were Irish or French bred • Only 1 winner has carried more than 11st since 2000 • Horses aged 11 and over are 0 – 90 since 1993 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Always Waining 9 Peter Bowen 22/1 2009 Irish Raptor 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies 8/1 2008 Gwanako 5 Paul Nicholls 7/1JF 2007 Dunbrody Millar 9 Peter Bowen 25/1 2006 Liberthine 7 Nicky Henderson 16/1 2005 Cregg House 10 Shane Donohoe 50/1 2004 Cassia Heights 9 Steve Brookshaw 33/1 2003 Clan Royal 8 Jonjo O’Neill 12/1 2002 Its Time For A Win 10 Willie Mullins 10/1 2001 Gower-Slave 9 Phillip Hobbs 14/1 2000 Northern Starlight 9 Martin Pipe 7/1
3:45 – John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 110yds Key Trends • 15 of the last 16 winners had won at least twice over hurdles • 11 of the last 17 winners had won over 3 miles plus • 11 out of the last 13 winners were aged 6 or over Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Wayward Prince 6 Ian Williams 9/1 2009 Ogee 6 Renee Robeson 25/1 2008 Pettitfour 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies 16/1 2007 Chief Dan George 7 James Moffatt 20/1 2006 Black Jack Ketchum 7 Jonjo O’Neill 8/13F 2005 Asian Maze 6 Tom Mullins 7/1 2004 Accipiter 5 Toby Balding 14/1 2003 Iris’s Gift 6 Jonjo O’Neill 10/11F 2002 Stromness 5 Alan King 8/1 2001 Garruth 7 Tim Easterby 16/1 2000 Sackville 7 Frances Crowley 12/1
4:20 – John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 110yds Key Trends • 15 of the last 16 winners had won at least twice over hurdles • 11 of the last 17 winners had won over 3 miles plus • 11 out of the last 13 winners were aged 6 or over Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Wayward Prince 6 Ian Williams 9/1 2009 Ogee 6 Renee Robeson 25/1 2008 Pettitfour 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies 16/1 2007 Chief Dan George 7 James Moffatt 20/1 2006 Black Jack Ketchum 7 Jonjo O’Neill 8/13F 2005 Asian Maze 6 Tom Mullins 7/1 2004 Accipiter 5 Toby Balding 14/1 2003 Iris’s Gift 6 Jonjo O’Neill 10/11F 2002 Stromness 5 Alan King 8/1 2001 Garruth 7 Tim Easterby 16/1 2000 Sackville 7 Frances Crowley 12/1
4:55 – John Smith’s smithythehorse.com Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m 110yds Key Trends • 22 of the 23 winners had run at least 4 times in the current season • The last 15 winners has a pre race official rating of 124 – 134 • 11 out of the last 13 winners were aged 6 or over • Only 2 winning 5yo in the last 20 years Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Ringaroses 9 Jonjo O’Neill 10/1 2009 Time For Rupert 5 Paul Webber 50/1 2008 Forest Pennant 6 Paul Nicholls 9/2F 2007 Albertas Run 6 Jonjo O’Neill 9/2F 2006 Refinement 7 Jonjo O’Neill 11/4F 2005 Holland Park 8 Sarah Williams 10/1 2004 His Nibs 7 Venetia Williams 14/1 2003 Carlovent 8 Martin Pipe 16/1 2002 Sudden Shock 7 Jonjo O’Neill 33/1 2001 Carlovent 6 Martin Pipe 25/1 2000 Ross Moff 7 Tony Martin 9/2
5:30 – John Smith’s Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) 2m 1f Key Trends • 5 of the 6 winners had been placed first or second last time out • John Kiely’s runners have finished 4-1-2 in 2009 and 2010 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Big Time Billy 4 Peter Bowen 28/1 2009 Candy Creek 5 John Kiely 9/2 2008 Carole’s Legacy 4 Nicky Henderson 25/1 2007 Turbo Linn 4 Alan Swinbank 5/2F 2006 Rhacophorus 5 Chris Down 7/1 2005 Senorita Rumbalita 4 A King 9/2
Grand National Meeting Day 3 1:45 – John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 2f Key Trends • 10 of the last 13 winners were in the first two in the betting • 8 of the last 11 winners had finished in the top 6 at Cheltenham • 1 four year old winner from 31 runners since 1996 • Only 1 horse older than 6 has won since 1989 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Peddlers Cross 5 Donald McCain 5/4F 2009 Bouggler 4 Emma Lavelle 16/1 2008 Elusive Dream 7 Paul Nicholls 7/2 2007 Tidal Bay 6 Howard Johnson 9/4 2006 Natal 5 Paul Nicholls 7/2JF 2005 Turpin Green 6 Nicky Richards 14/1 2004 Garde Champetre 5 Paul Nicholls 9/2 2003 Leinster 6 Dessie Hughes 12/1 2002 Classified 6 Martin Pipe 9/2 2001 Montalcino 5 Venetia Williams 100/30 2000 Best Mate 5 Henrietta Knight 4/11F 2:15 – John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m Key Trends • 13 of the last 13 winners were in the first three in the betting • 15 of the last 16 winners had run in the Arkle • 6 of the last 11 winners were French bred • No Irish trained winner since 1989 • Paul Nicholls has had 5 winners and 5 second places since 1999 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Tataniano 6 Paul Nicholls 10/3 2009 Kalahari King 8 Ferdy Murphy 9/4 2008 Tidal Bay 7 Howard Johnson 6/4F 2007 Twist Magic 5 Paul Nicholls 9/4F 2006 Foreman 8 Thierry Doumen 4/1 2005 Ashley Brook 7 Kevin Bishop 3/1 2004 Well Chief 5 Martin Pipe 15/8F 2003 Le Roi Miguel 5 Paul Nicholls 9/4 2002 Armaturk 5 Paul Nicholls 5/2 2001 Ballinclay King 7 Ferdy Murphy 6/1 2000 Cenkos 6 Oliver Sherwood 7/2
2:50 – John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f Key Trends • 10 of the last 17 winners were Irish trained • 23 of the last 26 winners had won over 2m4f/2m5f • All 18 British trained winners ran at the Cheltenham festival • Only 2 winning 5 year olds in the last 22 years Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Khyber Kim 8 Nigel Twiston-Davies 7/2 2009 Solwhit 5 Charles Byrnes 6/1 2008 Al Eile 8 John Queally 11/4JF 2007 Al Eile 7 John Queally 12/1 2006 Asian Maze 7 Tom Mullins 4/1 2005 Al Eile 5 John Queally 11/1 2004 Rhinestone Cowboy 8 Jonjo O’Neill 5/2F 2003 Sacundai 6 Edward O’Grady 9/1 2002 Ilnamar 6 Martin Pipe 9/1 2001 Barton 8 Tim Easterby 9/1 2000 Mister Morose 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies 16/1
3:25 – John Smith’s Handicap Chase (Listed) 3m 1f Key Trends • 12 of the last 14 winners were aged 9 or younger • Jonjo O’Neill has won 4 of the last 11 renewals • 8 of the last 14 winners ran at the Cheltenham festival • Only 3 winning favourites since 1988 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 From Dawn To Dusk 11 Phillip Hobbs 12/1 2009 Don’t Push It 9 Jonjo O’Neill 9/1 2008 Oedipe 6 Nicky Henderson 20/1 2007 Reveillez 8 James Fanshawe 9/2F 2006 State Of Play 6 Evan Williams 22/1 2005 Sleeping Night 9 Paul Nicholls 3/1 2004 Lord Of The River 12 Nicky Henderson 9/1 2003 Master Tern 8 Jonjo O’Neill 5/1 2002 Carbury Cross 8 Jonjo O’Neill 3/1F 2001 Kingsmark 8 Martin Todhunter 14/1 2000 Radiation 7 Jonjo O’Neill 12/1
4:15 – John Smith’s Grand National (Grade 3) 4m 4f Key Trends • Horses carrying 11st 6lb or more are 0-93 since 1977 • Every winner since 1970 has won over 3m • 13 of the last 21 winners were 10 years’ old or older • No winner younger than 8 for 71 years • Only one French bred winner since 1910 Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Don’t Push It 10 Jonjo O’Neill 10/1JF 2009 Mon Mome 9 Venetia Williams 100/1 2008 Comply Or Die 9 David Pipe 7/1JF 2007 Silver Birch 10 Gordon Elliott 33/1 2006 Numbersixvalverde 10 Martin Brassil 11/1 2005 Hedgehunter 9 Willie Mullins 7/1F 2004 Amberleigh House 12 Ginger McCain 16/1 2003 Monty’s Pass 10 Jimmy Mangan 16/1 2002 Binderee 8 Nigel Twiston-Davies 20/1 2001 Red Marauder 11 Norman Mason 33/1 2000 Papillon 9 Ted Walsh 10/1
5:00 – John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle 2m 100yds Key Trends • 16 of the last 20 renewals have been won by 5yo and 6yo’s • The last 16 favourites have been beaten • 9 of the last 15 winners failed to win earlier in the season Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Dee Ee Williams 7 Nick Gifford 11/1 2009 Culcabock 9 Lucinda Russell 66/1 2008 Pearl King 6 Phillip Hobbs 10/1 2007 Kings Quay 5 John Quinn 16/1 2006 Wellbeing 9 Phillip Hobbs 7/1 2005 Definate Spectacle 5 Noel Meade 11/1 2004 Puck Out 6 Christy Roche 10/1 2003 Risky Reef 6 Andrew Lee 20/1 2002 Intersky Falcon 5 Jonjo O’Neill 10/1 2001 Docklands Limo 8 Nigel Twiston-Davies 20/1 2000 Sharpaten 5 Pat Hughes 16/1
5:30 – John Smith’s Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f Key Trends • 19 of the last 23 winners had run no more than 3 times • Only 2 Irish trained winners in all 22 renewals • 14 of the 22 winners went off at a starting price of 8/1 or higher Recent Winners Year Horse Age Trainer Odds 2010 Megastar 5 Gary Moore 9/1 2009 Sitting Tennant 6 Kate Walton 66/1 2008 Honest John 4 Tom Tate 14/1 2007 Theatrical Moment 4 Alan Swinbank 6/5F 2006 Pangbourne 5 Alan King 28/1 2005 The Cool Guy 5 Nigel Twiston-Davies 50/1 2004 Diamond Sal 6 Mary Reveley 33/1 2003 Classic Native 5 Jonjo O’Neill 25/1 2002 Kickham 6 Edward O’Grady 3/1F 2001 The Bajan Bandit 6 Len Lungo 9/4F 2000 Quadco 6 Pat Fahy 33/1 Sof ground will help Silver By Nature who ran out a convincing winner of the Grand National trial at Haydock last month, although ideally he would prefer heavy ground. The Midnight Club current favourite for the race will be ridden by Ruby Walsh for trainer Willie Mullins. Mullins said: "It's good news. The Midnight Club worked twice during the week and is in good form." His last race was a 3 mile chase at Fairyhouse in February which he won at SP 11-10 and will carry 10st 13lbs in the Aintree marathon. Niche Market Paul Nicholls popular chaser will be ridden by Harry Skelton. Winner of the Irish National in 2009 Niche Market came 8th over an inadequate 2 1/2 miles at Newbury this month and is as big as 20-1 for the Grand National. Paul Nicholls leading contender, What A Friend who came 4th in this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup will be partnered by Daryl Jacob. Tidal Bay will also take his chance in the National after finishing 6th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is set to carry 11st 9lb What A Friend owned by Sir Alex Ferguson will run in the JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL on Saturday April 9th 2011. His 4th in this year's Gold Cup at Cheltenham was a fine effort behind 3 of the best chasers seen in recent years and is currently priced up for the Aintree marathon at 16-1 and due to carry 11st - 6lb. The Midnight Club is currently installed as favourite for the 2011 renewal of the National after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse at SP 11-10. Stablemate Arbor Supreme (20-1) was runner up with Oscar Time (9-2)back in 3rd. Trainer W Mullins said: "I'm happy with both horses. The Midnight Club came on nicely from his Thyestes run and it is nice to see Arbor Supreme come back into a bit of form. "The Midnight Club probably showed normal improvement from his first run of the season and we're now happy that we're on track with both horses for the Grand National. They are unlikely to run again before that."
The JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL at Aintree sees last year's winner Don't Push It head the weights carrying 11st 10lb, up 5lb on last year. Paul Nicholls entries include What A Friend (11st 6lb)and Niche Market (10st 13lb) Howard Johnson has Tidal Bay (11st 8lb) Donald McCain runs the ante post favourite Ballabriggs (11st) Becauseicouldntsee (10st 8lb)is an interesting contender Evan Williams has Deep Purple (11st 7lb) and State Of Play (10st 6lb) David Pipe sends out Comply Or Die, winner in 2008 on (10st 8lb) Or Noir De Somoza returns to David Pipe's Pond House stables for a crack at the Grand National. The french bred horse returned to France after a short spell with Pipe in 2009 winning over £1.25 million in prize money including 3 wins at Grade 1 level, is as short as 40-1 for the National. Mon Mome, winner of the race in 2009, will miss the entire season due to a setback. Two favoured horses for the Grand National have been pulled out. A set back has ruled The Package out of running again this season and Grand Apalachi, runner up to National winner Don't Push It last year has a tendon injury and will miss the rest of the season. GRAND NATIONAL favourite Ballabriggs is among 43 entries for the Totesport.com National 2011 Trial at Haydock in February. The Donald McCain trained jumper for Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings, won the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 and this season made light work of winning a novice hurdle at Wincanton. McCain will strive to protect Ballabriggs' handicap mark over fences until the weights for the Grand National are published on February 16. The Haydock race three days later will not compromise his weight at Aintree. Possible opponents at Haydock may include West End Rocker who won the Totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick last time and the winner of the Coral Welsh National, Synchronised. Other entries in the 3m4f Grade 3 include Quolibet, for French trainer Francois Doumen and Telenor, the sole entry from Ireland trained by Jim Dreaper. Ballabriggs confirmed himself at the the head of the market for the Grand National after a smooth win over hurdles at Ayr on Monday 31st Jan 2011. Trained by Donald McCain whose father won the Grand National four times, Ballabriggs has won twice this season, both times over hurdles to protect his chase rating. Obviously very smart over hurdles he may well be aimed next at the Cheltenham Festival, perhaps the Albert Bartlett or Grimthorpe Chase, but in my opinion this could well compromise his chance in the Aintree marathon. Evan Williams reveals that State Of Play will contest the John Smith’s Grand National for a third time. 
The 11 year old has been placed in the last two renewals and can run with 3lbs off his back. Although State Of Play will not have had a run since contesting the race in 2010, his trainer believes this will only be to the good: “He’s a horse that we’ve always done things slightly differently with. He won the Hennessy off a layoff and both of his John Smith’s Grand National runs have come off the back of long breaks, so he’s shown that he is at his best when he’s fresh." Versatile with regards to the ground, soft to good is all the same to him and a horse who loves the Grand National course, at 33-1 State Of Play rates a cracking each way bet. is perhaps the world`s most famous horse race, run at Aintree Racecourse on the first Saturday in April. The 2009 running offered a total prize fund in excess of £900,000 with over £½ million going to the connections of the winner. Its marathon distance of 4m 4f, along with the jumping of 30 of Aintree`s unique fences, presents a particularly tough test for both horse and rider. Finding the winner, or even narrowing down a field of 40 to a manageable number, is a tricky business. The following considers the Grand Nationals run since 1990, in an attempt to highlight significant pointers to those runners likely to perform well and to pinpoint value bets Grand National betting. Nationality English-trained horses monopolised the event from 1990 to 1998 (the 1993 race was declared void after several false starts). However, 1999 saw a renaissance for Irish-trained horses, with back-to-back victories for Bobbyjo and Papillon. The Irish also won the race 4 times in 5 years, between 2003 and 2007. Amongst the jockeys, the now-retired Carl Llewellyn (Party Politics, 1992 and Earth Summit, 2002) and Rupert "Ruby" Walsh have 2 wins apiece. Walsh rode Papillon to victory for father Ted in 2000, won on Hedgehunter in 2005 and was runner-up in the Grand National on the same horse in 2006. Other races with decent records of producing runners that go on to perform well at Aintree are Chepstow`s Welsh National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Fairyhouse`s Irish National. With this in mind, the best strategy may be to look for runners with decent form over the fences, while being wary of previous Grand National winners that will have been reassessed by the handicapper and may have too much weight to repeat the feat. 
 Custom Search Since the fences at the Grand National course have been rendered less difficult in recent years, the ability to get round increasingly favours the class horse. The trends apparent in the race also offer strong pointers to those that will feature in the shake up. Because of this, it is possible to reduce the number of horses that can realistically be considered. New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
