11.02.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

DANCER TOPS 2009 JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL WEIGHTS

Exotic Dancer (11st 10lb) heads the weights revealed today for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National. The nine-year-old was a Grade Two winner at Aintree in 2007 and beat all bar Kauto Star in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He gained a richly-deserved Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last time out. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, Exotic Dancer also headed the weights for the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National.

In total, 61 of the remaining 120 entries are in the handicap (ie weighted down to and including the minimum 10 stone) for jump racing’s most famous prize, which is worth a record £900,000 this year. A maximum field of 40 will go to post at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 4.

The John Smith’s Grand National is the only race in which the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping Phil Smith can use his discretion in determining which weight he allots each horse. His findings were unveiled today at a lunch in London attended by a host of jump racing’s biggest names.

Second in the weights is Madison Du Berlais (11st 8lb), this season’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner and conqueror of Denman at Kempton on Saturday. He represents last year’s winning trainer, David Pipe. Comply Or Die (10st 12lb), the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National hero, must carry an additional 3lb if he is to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973/1974 to win consecutive renewals while Silver Birch has 10st 6lb this year - identical to the weight he carried to victory in 2007. Other horses that have winning form over the Grand National fences are Black Apalachi (10st 11lb), who landed the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree in November, Endless Power (10st 3lb), successful in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase at the same meeting and bidding to become only the second Scottish-trained winner following Rubstic in 1979, last season’s John Smith’s Topham Chase victor Gwanako (10st 12lb) and the 2006 totesport Becher Chase scorer Eurotrek (10st 9lb). The last two horses are both in the care of champion trainer Paul Nicholls who could also be represented by recent Sky Bet Chase victor Big Fella Thanks (10st 7lb) and My Will (10st 10lb), an eye-catching fifth on his seasonal reappearance in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, and five others.

Six of the last 10 renewals of the John Smith’s Grand National have gone the way of Irish-trained horses, while last year the Arthur Moore-trained King Johns Castle (10st 10lb) only found Comply Or Die too good with Snowy Morning (11st), from the Willie Mullins yard, in third place. The 35 Irish-trained entries this time around also include last season’s Irish Grand National victor Hear The Echo (10st 11lb), one of the leading ante-post fancies and this season’s Welsh National scorer Notre Pere (11st 4lb), from the Jim Dreaper yard. Hear The Echo is owned by Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary and trained by Mouse Morris, and the owner/trainer combination could also be represented by 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition (11st 1llb).

Other leading ante-post fancies include the 2007 Irish Grand National victor, Butler’s Cabin (10st 5lb), who was travelling well when falling at Becher’s on the second circuit last year, the John Quinn-trained Character Building (9st 12lb) and Cloudy Lane (11st 2lb) from the famous McCain stable who was sixth when starting joint-favourite in 2008.

 Julian Thick, Aintree’s Managing Director, commented: “Interest in the John Smith’s Grand National really gathers momentum following the annual weights lunch and this year’s contest will be as competitive as ever with just over half the entries in the handicap at this stage.”

 For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree’s Marketing & PR Manager, on 07917 266511 or e-mail emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Strictly embargoed until 11am, Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Class 1, Grade 3, £900,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 4, 2009. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 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 8, 2009. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 27, 2009, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances to February 8, 2009, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 8, 2009. 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. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed January 27, entries revealed January 28  (123 entries), weights revealed February 10 (61 in handicap, 3 scratched), first forfeit stage February 24, second forfeit stage March 17. Five/six-day confirmation stage March 30, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 2. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, February 8.

Form  Horse    Age/Wgt Owner    Trainer

353-231  EXOTIC DANCER (FR)  9-11-10  Sir Robert Ogden  Jonjo O'Neill

425F-611 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 8-11-08  Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe

31320P  SNOOPY LOOPY (IRE)  11-11-05 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Peter Bowen

11/3-024 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 8-11-05  Sir Robert Ogden  Paul Nicholls

63P-411 NOTRE PERE (FR)  8-11-04  Tillie Conway   Jim Dreaper IRE

112/-U1P NOZIC (FR)   8-11-03  Sam Mcvie   Paul Nicholls

511-225  AIR FORCE ONE (GER)  7-11-02  Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare)  Charlie Mann

16-0431  CLOUDY LANE   9-11-02  Trevor Hemmings  Donald McCain Jnr

1/1//2110- AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE)  11-11-01 E McElroy, Linda Shanahan, Sue Magnier  Noel Meade IRE

23/-1132 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 10-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud  Mouse Morris IRE

61U1F2  CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 9-11-00  Frances Duffin   Tom Mullins IRE

3/114-16 IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE)  8-11-00  Our Friends in the North  Nigel Twiston-Davies

332-56F SNOWY MORNING (IRE)  9-11-00  Quayside Syndicate  Willie Mullins IRE

115P/-03 CANE BRAKE (IRE)  10-10-13 Mount Temple Racing Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE

16UP-10 KNOWHERE (IRE)  11-10-13 Raymond Mould   Nigel Twiston-Davies

225-13P ROLL ALONG (IRE)  9-10-13  Bryan & Philippa Burrough Carl Llewellyn

P211-P0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE)  10-10-12 David Johnson   David Pipe

5321-U1 GWANAKO (FR)   6-10-12  The Stewart Family  Paul Nicholls

3P1-5025 MONKERHOSTIN (FR)  12-10-12 Martin St Quinton  Philip Hobbs

40-2555  OLLIE MAGERN   11-10-12 Roger Nicholls   Nigel Twiston-Davies

4-2P51P STAN (NZ)   10-10-12 Paul Beck   Venetia Williams

20F2-P15 BLACK APALACHI (IRE)  10-10-11 Gerard Burke   Dessie Hughes IRE

501-556  HEAR THE ECHO (IRE)  8-10-11  Gigginstown House Stud  Mouse Morris IRE

6P-02414 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 8-10-11  Gigginstown House Stud  Charlie Swan IRE

140-0F1 PREISTS LEAP (IRE)  9-10-11  John D O'Donohue  Tom O'Leary IRE

152-112  BALLYFITZ   9-10-10  F J Mills & W Mills  Nigel Twiston-Davies

P/22212- KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 10-10-10 J P McManus   Arthur Moore IRE

12P-0UU MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 9-10-10  Andrew Wiles   Robert & Sally Alner

32023/-5 MY WILL (FR)   9-10-10  The Stewart Family  Paul Nicholls

411P/1P/- EUROTREK (IRE)  13-10-09 Paul Green   Paul Nicholls

11640-5  L'ANTARTIQUE (FR)  9-10-09  Mary Durkan   Ferdy Murphy

2560-14  STATE OF PLAY  9-10-08  Mr & Mrs William Rucker  Evan Williams

2-322U1 BIG FELLA THANKS  7-10-07  Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay Paul Nicholls

00-2102  MON MOME (FR)  9-10-06  Vida Bingham   Venetia Williams

0/1PP-63 OPERA MUNDI (FR)  7-10-06  Sir Robert Ogden  Paul Nicholls

F/02421/- SILVER BIRCH (IRE)  12-10-06 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare)  Gordon Elliott IRE

03F-000 BUTLER'S CABIN (FR)  9-10-05  J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill

1111F-0 HOBBS HILL   10-10-05 J P McManus   Charles Egerton

1111/U2- OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 9-10-05  Brian Polly   Charlie Swan IRE

23/54-1P PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 11-10-04 R A S Offer   Philip Hobbs

F0612/-P REVEILLEZ   10-10-04 J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill

2423-32  ABBEYBRANEY (IRE)  8-10-03  Andrea & Graham Wylie  Howard Johnson

2134-13  ENDLESS POWER (IRE)  9-10-03  Fyffees    Jim Goldie

00146P  FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 11-10-03 Colin Cornes   Nigel Twiston-Davies

1/P133/3- GOLDEN FLIGHT (FR)  10-10-03 John & Barbara Cotton  Nicky Henderson

03F0-421 L'AMI (FR)   10-10-03 J P McManus   Enda Bolger IRE

2U4U-40 SIMON    10-10-03 Mercy Rimell   John Spearing

332-245  BATTLECRY   8-10-02  Trevor Hemmings  Nigel Twiston-Davies

P00-F12 CORNISH SETT (IRE)  10-10-02 Peter Hart   Paul Nicholls

042-P61 FLEET STREET   10-10-02 Henry Ponsonby   Nicky Henderson

122210  MUSICA BELLA (FR)  9-10-02  Jean-Paul Senechal  Francois Cottin FR

63-11131 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE)  7-10-01  J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill

113P//-3P DARKNESS   10-10-01 Lady Lloyd-Webber  Charles Egerton

F32311  IRISH INVADER (IRE)  8-10-01  Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

46-5651  RAMBLING MINSTER  11-10-01 The Lingdale Optimists  Keith Reveley

2314-64  SILVERBURN (IRE)  8-10-01  Paul Green   Paul Nicholls

5F/-06U3 SOUTHERN VIC (IRE)  10-10-01 Brenda Graham   Ted Walsh IRE

1221/1//-P6 TRABOLGAN (IRE)  11-10-01 Trevor Hemmings  Nicky Henderson

P641PP  ALWAYS WAINING (IRE)  8-10-00  Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen

111-421  GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) 10-10-00 J P McManus   Enda Bolger IRE

1/010-05 OEDIPE (FR)   7-10-00  Bill Brown   Nicky Henderson

PPP611/- HOT WELD   10-9-13  Simon Hubbard Rodwell  Ferdy Murphy

20P-111 KILBEGGAN BLADE  10-9-13  K Doocey & Mrs A Doocey Tom George

412402  BROOKLYN BROWNIE (IRE) 10-9-12  P Gaffney & Neil Stevenson Malcolm Jefferson

P/3-1433 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 9-9-12  Mrs E Wright   John Quinn

P-2P600 CONNA CASTLE (IRE)  10-9-12  Kings Syndicate   Jimmy Mangan IRE

1-P504P HIMALAYAN TRAIL  10-9-12  Mark Gittins   Jimmy Mangan IRE

33-4F0F PIRAYA (FR)   6-9-12  Terry Neill   David Pipe

26U-344 TUMBLING DICE (IRE)  10-9-12  Lucy Donegan   Tom Taaffe IRE

3/00010- ARTEEA (IRE)   10-9-11  Judith Wilson   David Pipe

0P/50PP- CERIUM (FR)   8-9-11  Judith Wilson   Paul Murphy

050-240  IDLE TALK (IRE)  10-9-11  Trevor Hemmings  Donald McCain Jnr

0F2U6-P KELAMI (FR)   11-9-11  Halewood International Ltd Lisa Williamson

0/232P5/- ZABENZ (NZ)   12-9-11  Sarah Hobbs   Philip Hobbs

PP541P  ICE TEA (IRE)   9-9-10  Sandicroft Stud   Donald McCain Jnr

2U41U-0 MALJIMAR (IRE)  9-9-10  Jane Williams   Nick Williams

211-1113 COMPANERO (IRE)  9-9-09  W M G Black & Sue Johnson Howard Johnson

0333P0  IRON MAN (FR)   8-9-09  Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen

P2P-P0P MATTOCK RANGER (IRE) 9-9-09  Banouche Stud Ireland Ltd Noel Meade IRE

U44P-314 NICHE MARKET (IRE)  8-9-09  Graham Regan   Bob Buckler

0U0134  POMME TIEPY (FR)  6-9-09  Mrs S Ricci   Willie Mullins IRE

101PP6- BAGAN (FR)   10-9-08  The Centaur Group Partnership VII Martin Todhunter

11P1-3P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE)  8-9-08  New Club Ladies   Nigel Twiston-Davies

140-306  BIBLE LORD (IRE)  8-9-08  M Tedham   Andrew Turnell

14F0-F4 D'ARGENT (IRE)  12-9-08  Nigel Bunter   Alan King

64P3-01 DIX VILLEZ (FR)   10-9-08  Gigginstown House Stud  Paul Nolan IRE

P2P63-5 FLINTOFF (USA)  8-9-08  Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams

4B0-400 PATSY HALL (IRE)  9-9-08  Thomas Mooney Partnership Tony Martin IRE

0P6PP-0 HOMER WELLS (IRE)  11-9-07  Margaret McMahon  Willie Mullins IRE

3/2F01P- IN THE LOOP (IRE)  11-9-07  Ben-Hill Syndicate  Roy Wilson IRE

P121-P5 KING HARALD (IRE)  11-9-07  Piers Pottinger & P B-J Partnership Mark Bradstock

313145-0 LOTHIAN FALCON  10-9-07  Peter Maddison   Peter Maddison

P00-P30 NADOVER (FR)   8-9-07  George Storey   Charlie Mann

012036  OULART   10-9-07  Dessie Hughes & Ged Pierse Dessie Hughes IRE

2/223F0- PAK JACK (FR)   9-9-07  The Pak Jack Partnership  Richard Phillips

421101  SEYMOUR WELD  9-9-07  Charles Pogson   Charles Pogson

25/1300/- GALLANT APPROACH (IRE) 10-9-06  Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Charles Egerton

P2113P  HOOPY (IRE)   7-9-06  John Earls   Gordon Elliott IRE

22/-22P4 NINE DE SIVOLA (FR)  8-9-06  The DPRP Sivola Partnership Ferdy Murphy

210123-  TOM SAYERS (IRE)  11-9-06  Capt Bill Edwards-Heathcote Philip Hobbs

0-32123  OODACHEE   10-9-04  Modreeny Syndicate  Charlie Swan IRE

12366/-4 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE)  9-9-03  Conor Clarkson   Tom Taaffe IRE

62P-30P DUN DOIRE (IRE)  10-9-02  Dunderry Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

02P-P4F LE TOSCAN (FR)  9-9-02  Judith Wilson   David Pipe

U1-5254 OUT THE BLACK (IRE)  11-9-02  James Drummond  Philip Hobbs

0P0/03-0 PUNTAL (FR)   13-9-02  Terry Neill   David Pipe

63-35400 SEA DIVA (IRE)   9-9-02  C J O'Reilly/D Barker/R Lubner Dessie Hughes IRE

P4220-0 WITHOUT A DOUBT  10-9-02  Malcolm Denmark  Carl Llewellyn

1P1F//PP- YOU'RE SPECIAL (USA)  12-9-01  Diane O' Rourke   Ferdy Murphy

21/-2426 ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE)  11-9-00  Six Blokes   Venetia Williams

611-04  EMMA JANE (IRE)  9-9-00  Tintern Ten Syndicate  Willie Mullins IRE

5/5400-P MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 7-9-00  Judith Wilson   David Pipe

43444-P0 BALLYTRIM (IRE)  8-8-11  Violet O'Leary   Willie Mullins IRE

53PP56- ROYAL ROSA (FR)  10-8-11  Andrea & Graham Wylie  Howard Johnson

41/F400-2 SANDHURST (IRE)  9-8-11  John Duddy   Edgar Byrne IRE

5/6P0-42 LORD KILLESHANRA (IRE) 10-8-10  G F Gingell   Colin Tizzard

U-2130U6 LYSANDER (GER)  10-8-10  The Piranha Partnership  Ian Williams

4213140 MALKO DE BEAUMONT (FR) 9-8-10  David Sturdy   Alan Brown

P06-350 PASS ME BY   10-8-08  Paul Beck   Suzy Smith

1110PP  MONT MISERE (FR)  13-8-07  Judith Wilson   Paul Murphy

120 entries remain

35 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY SCRATCHED BY THEIR TRAINERS:

DENMAN (IRE)

JOE LIVELY (IRE)

LEADING ATTRACTION (IRE)