30.03.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

JOINT-FAVOURITES HEAD THE JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL BETTING AT THE FIVE-DAY STAGE

Butler’s Cabin (8/1) and My Will (8/1) continue to share favouritism at the head of the betting market for Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National, following the five-day confirmation stage. The odds are from totesport, the official betting partner of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

A total of 74 horses stood their ground today ahead of the four and a half-mile spectacular on April 4 for which a maximum field of 40 can line up, chasing a share of the record £900,000 in prize money.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy, seeking a first victory in the Aintree showpiece, could partner the Jonjo O’Neill-trained 2007 Irish Grand National winner Butler’s Cabin for his main patron, owner J P McManus, who is also hoping to break his duck in the big race. McManus is set to run a further trio of Reveillez, Can’t Buy Time and L’Ami, with McCoy expected to choose one of the owner’s quartet later this week.

Ruby Walsh, fresh from a record-breaking seven winners at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to take the mount on the Paul Nicholls-trained My Will, who ran an eye-catching trial for the big race when fifth to Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicholls could saddle four runners in all with the market mover Cornish Sett, Big Fella Thanks and the injury-prone Eurotrek, winner of the 2006 totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences, primed for action.

Comply Or Die provided David Pipe with the biggest thrill of his short training career when winning 12 months ago and will attempt to become the first since Red Rum in 1974 to gain back-to-back wins.

Meanwhile, the 2007 hero Silver Birch will try and emulate Red Rum, who in 1977 was the most recent horse to regain his crown.

New top-weight Cloudy Lane (11st 10lb), following the expected withdrawals of Snoopy Loopy and Nozic, will be bidding to thrust the McCain name back into the John Smith’s Grand National spotlight. The nine-year-old finished sixth in last year’s race when 7/1 joint favourite and will again take his chance for Donald McCain, son of Ginger McCain, who won the great race four times thanks to the legendary Red Rum (1973, 1974 & 1977) and Amberleigh House (2004).

Rambling Minster, at 10/1, aims to give the Reveley family a day to remember. The 11-year-old, winner of the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock in February, is trained in Cleveland by Keith Reveley and will be partnered by his son, James Reveley.

Irish-trained horses have carried off six of the last 10 renewals of the world’s greatest steeplechase and, with 20 contenders holding their ground five days short of raceday, the tricolours could be flying once again at the weekend.

Kildare handler Dessie Hughes is responsible for 14/1 shot Black Apalachi, a faller at the second fence last year but successful in the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences in November. He proved his well-being with victory in the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase in February.

The Willie Mullins-trained Snowy Morning, 25/1, was second in that Fairyhouse contest and connections hope he can improve upon his third behind Comply Or Die last year. 

War Of Attrition, 14/1, landed the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer Mouse Morris and owner Michael O’Leary, who races under the Gigginstown House Stud banner, and is set to shoulder 11st 9lb. The owner/trainer combination could be double-handed thanks to 2008 Irish Grand National victor Hear The Echo, with O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, also has Dix Villez with trainer Paul Nolan but that one is unlikely to get a run.

No Welsh-trained runner has prevailed in the Grand National since 1905 when Kirkland, trained in Pembrokeshire by E Thomas, landed the spoils at 6/1. Glamorgan trainer Evan Williams is hoping to rewrite the record books and give Wales its second Grand National winner with 2007 Hennessy Gognac Gold Cup hero State Of Play.

A top-class renewal is guaranteed with a host of talented individuals eying immortality, including Grade One winners Darkness and Offshore Account.  

Nigel Twiston-Davies trains in Gloucestershire and is the most successful current handler in the John Smith’s Grand National with two successes, thanks to Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002). He has five hopefuls in Knowhere, Ollie Magern, Fundamentalist, Battlecry and Beat The Boys.

The last horse to get into the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National at the moment is Kelami, the 40th in the handicap. But that could change when current ratings of the three horses on 10st 5lb are assessed later this week - the other two with that weight are Idle Talk and Zabenz.

PREIST’S LEAP OF FAITH

Trainer Tom O’Leary would love to see the clouds gather over Aintree this week, for every drop of rain that falls on the Grand National course will be added assistance to his confirmed mudlark Preist’s Leap.

“Sure, it would be helpful to see the ground softer, but if it doesn’t rain we’re not going to let that stop us enjoying ourselves,” said the 35-year-old from Clonakilty in County Cork.

Preist’s Leap, who travels to Aintree tomorrow, was bought by owner John D O’Donohue in 2003 after his wife died  from cancer.

“Shortly before she died, she told John he should have his own horse - he’d been part of syndicates before - so obviously the horse is very special to us,” said O’Leary.

The cost of 33,000 euros at Tattersalls, Ireland, has been more than repaid, as the horse has won four races and over £140,000 in prize money.

The majority of that prize money has come from the horse’s two victories in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. Preist’s Leap won that race last year and this year, both times at the generous odds of 20/1, and is one of only two horses to double up in the race.

Winning the Thyestes Chase could also be a pointer to their horse’s chance at Aintree as previous winners of the Gowran Park event include Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde, winners of the John Smith’s Grand National in 2005 and 2006 respectively. “It’s not a bad omen, is it?” the trainer said.

O’Leary, who briefly worked with Aidan O’Brien, started his training career 10 years ago with just a single horse in the yard, called Vanhoutonscoco, who finished last on his first outing and 10th on his only other run. O’Leary now has 20 horses in his yard.

FLOOD BOOKED FOR HIMALAYAN

Paddy Flood has been booked to ride the Jimmy Mangan-trained Himalayan Trail in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National. Himalayan Trail, who won last year’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter when trained by Sue Smith, will be attempting to give Mangan a second success in the Grand National, the trainer having been successful in 2003 with Monty’s Pass.

For Flood, who enjoyed his first-ever success at the Cheltenham Festival when Ninetieth Minute won this year’s Coral Cup Hurdle, it will be his second mount in the Grand National. Last year, the 22-year-old finished eighth on Baily Breeze.              

MCCOY AND WALSH SET TO FIGHT OUT NATIONAL FAVOURITISM SAYS TOTESPORT - OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF AINTREE RACECOURSE

George Primarolo, spokesman for totesport, the John Smith’s Grand National’s official betting partner, commented: “As things stand, we can’t split Butler’s Cabin and My Will at 8/1. We had joint-favourites last year with Comply Or Die and Cloudy Lane and if McCoy decides to ride Butler’s Cabin, it looks very muck like it will be a straight match-up between Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh, who rides My Will. Unless McCoy opts for another mount, or a screamer comes out of nowhere, I expect that will be the story heading into Saturday.

“McCoy may have been the perennial punters’ pal in the past but with Ruby’s magnificent seven fresh in the memory from Cheltenham, it could well be that we have a new people’s champion come the off.”

“It appears that punters have cottoned on to the good ground horses and I expect to see them supported as the week goes on.

“In the early part of last week we saw money for War Of Attrition and then, from Thursday until Saturday, L’Ami was the mover. We also had a bit of interest in Brooklyn Brownie, as well as Darkness, at the weekend and Cornish Sett has been backed since last night.”

Totesport have also gone non-runner, no bet, on the Grand National from this (Monday) morning onwards.

John Smith's Grand National - totesport bet: 8 My Will, Butler's Cabin, 10 Rambling Minster, 14 Black Apalachi, State Of Play, War Of Attrition, 16 Big Fella Thanks, Comply Or Die, 20 Hear The Echo, L'Ami, Southern Vic, 22 Kilbeggan Blade, 25 Darkness, Himalayan Trail, Irish Invader, Snowy Morning, 33 Brooklyn Brownie, Chelsea Harbour, Cloudy Lane, Cornish Sett, Flintoff, Maljimar, Parsons Legacy, 40 Can't Buy Time, Companero, Golden Flight, Niche Market, Offshore Account, Preists Leap, 50 bar.

1/4 the odds 1-2-3-4.  Non runner, no bet.

GROUND

The going at Aintree on Monday, March 30, is:

MILDMAY COURSE - Good

GRAND NATIONAL COURSE - Good, Good to Soft in places

 Andrew Tulloch, Clerk of the Course & Director of Racing at Aintree, commented: “We watered the Mildmay course today and applied between four and six millimetres of water.

“Tomorrow, we will water the Grand National course and will be putting down between three and six millimetres of moisture.

“Chris Dennis, the BHA’s Northern Course Inspector, was at Aintree today. He had a look round and was very happy with the condition of the two courses. He was pleased we had taken the decision to start watering.

“The course has really come on in the last week in terms of grass growth and we will be monitoring whether to water on a day-to-day basis. We will continue to water to maintain good ground.

“The forecast is for a generally dry week. It has been overcast today.”

TICKETS

Emma Owen of Aintree Racecourse today reported good demand for tickets and badges at this year’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting which begins on Thursday, April 2.

She said: “We have been pleased with the demand this year and we are marginally ahead on sales for Saturday, John Smith’s Grand National day, compared to last year.

“There is limited availability for both Friday and Saturday, but plenty of room on Thursday.”

THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL FIVE-DAY CONFIRMATIONS
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 (106 remained), second forfeit stage March 17 (88 remained). Five-day confirmation stage Monday, March 30 (74 remain), final declaration stage 10.00am, April 2. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, March 29.

A maximum of 40 horses can run - final declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, April 2.

Form            Horse          Age/Wgt               Owner   Trainer   Probable Jockey

16-0431F CLOUDY LANE  9-11-10  Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr Jason Maguire

23/-1132 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 10-11-09 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE -

61U1F234 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 9-11-08 Frances Duffin  Tom Mullins IRE  -

332-56F2 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 9-11-08    Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE -

16UP-100 KNOWHERE (IRE) 11-11-07   Raymond Mould  Nigel Twiston-Davies Paddy Brennan

P211-P00 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 10-11-06   David Johnson  David Pipe  Timmy Murphy

40-255550 OLLIE MAGERN  11-11-06   Roger Nicholls  Nigel Twiston-Davies  Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

4-2P51P04P STAN (NZ)  10-11-06   Paul Beck  Venetia Williams  -

20F2-P151 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 10-11-05   Gerard Burke  Dessie Hughes IRE Denis O’Regan

501-556U HEAR THE ECHO (IRE) 8-11-05    Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE -

140-0F10 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 9-11-05    John D O'Donohue Tom O'Leary IRE  Philip Enright

32023/-55 MY WILL (FR)  9-11-04    The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls  Ruby Walsh

411P/1P/- EUROTREK (IRE) 13-11-03   Paul Green  Paul Nicholls  Sam Thomas

2560-14  STATE OF PLAY 9-11-02    William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams  -

2-322U13 BIG FELLA THANKS 7-11-01    Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay Paul Nicholls  Christian Williams

00-210200 MON MOME (FR) 9-11-00    Vida Bingham  Venetia Williams  -

F/02421/-0 SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 12-11-00   Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE Robbie Power

03F-0005 BUTLER'S CABIN (FR) 9-10-13    J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill  -

1111/U2-2 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 9-10-13 Brian Polly  Charlie Swan IRE David Casey

23/54-1P PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 11-10-12   Rodney Offer  Philip Hobbs  -

F0612/-P0 REVEILLEZ  10-10-12   J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill  -

00146P6P FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 11-10-11   Colin Cornes  Nigel Twiston-Davies David England

1/P133/3-0 GOLDEN FLIGHT (FR) 10-10-11   John & Barbara Cotton Nicky Henderson  Barry Geraghty

03F0-4212 L'AMI (FR)  10-10-11   J P McManus  Enda Bolger IRE  -

332-245P BATTLECRY  8-10-10    Trevor Hemmings Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Scudamore

P00-F120 CORNISH SETT (IRE) 10-10-10   Peter Hart  Paul Nicholls  Nick Scholfield

042-P610 FLEET STREET  10-10-10   Henry Ponsonby  Nicky Henderson  Andrew Tinkler

1222100 MUSICA BELLA (FR) 9-10-10    Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR       Philip Carberry

63-111314 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 7-10-09   J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill   -

113P//-3P1 DARKNESS  10-10-09  Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton  Dominic Elsworth

F323111 IRISH INVADER (IRE) 8-10-09       Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE -

46-56511 RAMBLING MINSTER 11-10-09   The Lingdale Optimists Keith Reveley   James Reveley

5F/-06U343 SOUTHERN VIC (IRE) 10-10-09   Brenda Graham  Ted Walsh IRE  -

20P-1112 KILBEGGAN BLADE 10-10-07  Kevin Doocey & Mrs A Doocey Tom George  Graham Lee

4124021 BROOKLYN BROWNIE (IRE) 10-10-06 K S Gaffney & Neil Stevenson Malcolm Jefferson  Phil Kinsella

1-P504P0 HIMALAYAN TRAIL 10-10-06   Anne Gittins  Jimmy Mangan IRE -

3/00010-0 ARTEEA (IRE)  10-10-05   Judith Wilson  David Pipe  Richie McGrath

0P/50PP-0 CERIUM (FR)  8-10-05    Judith Wilson  Paul Murphy   -

050-2403 IDLE TALK (IRE) 10-10-05   Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr Brian Harding

0F2U6-P00 KELAMI (FR)  11-10-05   Halewood International Ltd Lisa Williamson  Derek Laverty

0/232P5/- ZABENZ (NZ)  12-10-05   Sarah Hobbs  Philip Hobbs  -

2U41U-02 MALJIMAR (IRE) 9-10-04   Jane Williams  Nick Williams   Daryl Jacobs

211-1113 COMPANERO (IRE) 9-10-03   W M G Black  Howard Johnson  -

0333P0P IRON MAN (FR)  8-10-03   Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen  -

P2P-P0PP MATTOCK RANGER (IRE) 9-10-03 Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd Noel Meade IRE  -

U44P-3140 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 8-10-03   Graham Regan  Bob Buckler  Harry Skelton

0U01344 POMME TIEPY (FR) 6-10-03   Susannah Ricci  Willie Mullins IRE -

101PP6-6 BAGAN (FR)  10-10-02 The Centaur Group Partnership VII Martin Todhunter -

11P1-3PFP BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 8-10-02  New Club Ladies  Nigel Twiston-Davies -

140-306F BIBLE LORD (IRE) 8-10-02  Martin Tedham  Andrew Turnell  Mark Grant

64P3-015 DIX VILLEZ (FR)  10-10-02 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE  -

P2P63-52 FLINTOFF (USA) 8-10-02  Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams -

4B0-4000F PATSY HALL (IRE) 9-10-02  C P Byrne  Tony Martin IRE  -

3/2F01P- IN THE LOOP (IRE) 11-10-01 Ben-Hill Syndicate Roy Wilson IRE  -

P00-P304 NADOVER (FR)  8-10-01    George Storey  Charlie Mann   -

2/223F0- PAK JACK (FR)  9-10-01    The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips  -

421101  SEYMOUR WELD 9-10-01    Charles Pogson  Charles Pogson  -

22/-22P43 NINE DE SIVOLA (FR) 8-10-00   The DPRP Sivola Partnership Ferdy Murphy   -

210123-P5 TOM SAYERS (IRE) 11-10-00   Capt Bill Edwards-Heathcote Philip Hobbs   -

0-321230 OODACHEE  10-9-12    Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE -

12366/-4 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 9-9-11    Conor Clarkson  Tom Taaffe IRE  -

62P-30P0 DUN DOIRE (IRE) 10-9-10   Dunderry Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE   -

02P-P4F0 LE TOSCAN (FR) 9-9-10    Judith Wilson  David Pipe  -

U1-52541 OUT THE BLACK (IRE) 11-9-10    James Drummond Philip Hobbs  -

0P0/03-03P PUNTAL (FR)  13-9-10    Terry Neill  David Pipe   -

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

21/-2426U ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE) 11-9-08 Six Blokes  Venetia Williams  -

5/5400-P0 MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 7-9-08    Judith Wilson  David Pipe  -

41/F400-23P2 SANDHURST (IRE) 9-9-05    John Duddy  Edgar Byrne  -

5/6P0-42P5 LORD KILLESHANRA (IRE) 10-9-04 G F Gingell  Colin Tizzard   -

U-2130U63 LYSANDER (GER) 10-9-04    The Piranha Partnership Ian Williams  -

4213140P MALKO DE BEAUMONT (FR) 9-9-04 David Sturdy  Alan Brown  -

P06-350FP PASS ME BY  10-9-02  Paul Beck  Suzy Smith  -

1110PP  MONT MISERE (FR) 13-9-01  Judith Wilson  Paul Murphy  Michael O’Connell

74 horses remain after five-day confirmation stage
20 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

A maximum of 40 horses can run - final declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, April 2.

THE FOLLOWING 14 HORSES HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT BY THEIR TRAINERS:

SNOOPY LOOPY (IRE), NOZIC (FR), AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE), ROLL ALONG (IRE), KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE), HOBBS HILL, ALWAYS WAINING (IRE), HOT WELD, CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE), CONNA CASTLE (IRE), TUMBLING DICE (IRE), ICE TEA (IRE), KING HARALD (IRE), YOU'RE SPECIAL (USA)

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER (WITH PAST SUCCESSES) AT THE FIVE-DAY CONFIRMATION STAGE IN THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

5 Entries

David Pipe (2008 Comply Or Die)

Comply Or Die

Arteea

Le Toscan

Puntal

Milan Deux Mille 

Nigel Twiston-Davies (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)

Knowhere

Ollie Magern

Fundamentalist

Battlecry

Beat The Boys

4 Entries

Philip Hobbs

Parsons Legacy

Zabenz

Tom Sayers                               

Out The Black

Paul Nicholls

My Will

Eurotrek

Big Fella Thanks

Cornish Sett

Venetia Williams

Stan

Mon Mome

Flintoff

Alexanderthegreat

3 Entries

Willie Mullins IRE (2005 Hedgehunter)

Snowy Morning

Irish Invader

Pomme Tiepy

Jonjo O’Neill

Butler’s Cabin

Can’t Buy Time

Reveillez

2 Entries

Nicky Henderson

Golden Flight

Fleet Street

Donald McCain Jnr

Cloudy Lane

Idle Talk

Tony Martin IRE

Patsy Hall

Dun Doire

Mouse Morris IRE

War Of Attrition

Hear The Echo

Paul Murphy

Cerium

Mont Missere

Charlie Swan IRE

Offshore Account

Oodachee

1 Entry

Enda Bolger IRE

L’Ami

Peter Bowen

Iron Man 

Alan Brown

Malko De Beaumont

Bob Buckler

Niche Market

Edgar Byrne

Sandhurst

Francois Cottin FR

Musica Bella

Charles Egerton

Darkness

Gordon Elliott IRE (2007 Silver Birch)

Silver Birch

Tom George

Kilbeggan Blade

Dessie Hughes IRE

Black Apalachi

Malcolm Jefferson

Brokklyn Brownie

Howard Johnson

Companero

Carl Llewellyn

Without A Doubt

Jimmy Mangan IRE (2003 Monty’s Pass)

Himalayan Trail

Charlie Mann

Nadover

Noel Meade IRE

Mattock Ranger

Tom Mullins IRE

Chelsea Harbour

Ferdy Murphy

Nine De Sivola

Paul Nolan IRE

Dix Villez

Tom O’Leary IRE

Preists Leap

Richard Phillips

Pak Jak

Charles Pogson

Seymour Weld

Keith Reveley

Rambling Minster

Suzy Smith

Pass Me By

Tom Taaffe IRE

Kings Advocate

Colin Tizzard

Lord Killeshanra

Martin Todhunter

Bagan

Andrew Turnell (1987 Maori Venture)

Bible Lord

Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)

Southern Vic

Evan Williams

State Of Play

Nick Williams

Maljimar

Ian Williams

Lysander

Lisa Williamson

Kelami

Roy Wilson IRE

In The Loop

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY LEADING OWNER (WITH PAST SUCCESSES) AT THE FIVE-DAY CONFIRMATION STAGE IN THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay

Big Fella Thanks

Gigginstown House Stud - owned by Ryanair chief executive officer, Michael O’Leary

War Of Attrition

Hear The Echo

Dix Villez

Halewood International Ltd (2004 Amberleigh House)

Kelami

Trevor Hemmings (2005 Hedgehunter)

Cloudy Lane

Battlecry

Idle Talk

David Johnson (2008 Comply Or Die)

Comply Or Die

Lady Lloyd-Webber

Darkness

J P McManus

Butler’s Cabin

Reveillez

L’Ami

Can’t Buy Time

Raymond Mould (2002 Bindaree)

Knowhere

Stewart Family

My Will

Brian Walsh (2007 Silver Birch)

Silver Birch