08.04.11 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

LIVERPOOL DAY, JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

LIVERPOOL DAY, JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE,

AINTREE, THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2011

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS WITH RESERVES

Class 1, Grade 3, £950,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April  9, 2011, four miles and four furlongs. 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 13, 2011. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 1, 2011, 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 13, 2011, 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 13, 2011. 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 February 1, entries revealed February 2 (102 entries, 3  subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 15, first scratchings deadline March 1 (82 remained), second scratchings deadline March 22 (74 remained). Five-day confirmation stage April 4 (65 five-day confirmations), final declaration stage 10.00am, April 7 - (maximum 40 declared runners), plus 4 reserves. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, April 6.

 

Form  Horse    Age/Wgt  Owner   Trainer/Probable Jockeys

1) P1-P000 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE)  11-11-10  J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill/Tony McCoy

2) 04-3226 TIDAL BAY (IRE)  10-11-09  Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/Brian Hughes

3) 211-524 WHAT A FRIEND  8-11-06  Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson Paul Nicholls/Daryl Jacob

4) 1B-0044 VIC VENTURI (IRE)  11-11-06  Seamus Dunne  Dessie Hughes IRE/Andrew Lynch

5) U62/1-31 MAJESTIC CONCORDE (IRE) 8-11-05  Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE/Mr Robbie McNamara

6) 42F14 OR NOIR DE SOMOZA (FR) 9-11-05  Filsal Stadeg Racing David Pipe/Tom Scudamore

7) 1F24-41 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 10-11-04  Jackie Mullins         Willie Mullins IRE/Mr Patrick Mullins

8) 14-2F44 BIG FELLA THANKS  9-11-01  Crossed Fingers Partnership Ferdy Murphy/Graham Lee

9) 205-244 THE TOTHER ONE (IRE) 10-11-00  Graham Roach  Paul Nicholls/Mr Ryan Mahon

10) 111-112 BALLABRIGGS (IRE)  10-11-00  Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain/Jason Maguire

11) 3133-21 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) 10-10-13 Susannah Ricci  Willie Mullins IRE/Ruby Walsh

12) 20P-F50 NICHE MARKET (IRE)  10-10-13 Graham Regan  Paul Nicholls/Harry Skelton

13) 121-001 SILVER BY NATURE  9-10-12 Geoff Brown  Lucinda Russell/Peter Buchanan

14) 0BP-500 BACKSTAGE (FR)  9-10-12 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE/Paul Carberry

15) 11-053F  CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 11-10-12 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt/Paddy Aspell

16) 4-56242 CALGARY BAY (IRE)  8-10-10 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight/Hadden Frost

17) 2P-2536 KILLYGLEN (IRE)  9-10-10 David McCammon Stuart Crawford IRE/Robert Power

18) 152-263 OSCAR TIME (IRE) 10-10-09 Robert Waley-Cohen/Sir Martin & Steve Broughton Martin Lynch IRE/ Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

19) 10-1131 QUINZ (FR)   7-10-08 Andrew Cohen  Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson

20) 2212-42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 8-10-08 Noel Glynn  Noel Glynn IRE/Davy Russell

21) 000-06P COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 12-10-08 David Johnson  David Pipe/Timmy Murphy

22) F-FF25P QUOLIBET (FR)  7-10-08 J P McManus  Jonjo O’Neill/Mark Walsh

23) 1FP10P GRAND SLAM HERO (IRE) 10-10-07Walters Plant Hire Ltd    Nigel Twiston-Davies/Aidan Coleman

24) 0/144/P3- STATE OF PLAY  11-10-06 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams/Paul Moloney

25) 11-11P5 KING FONTAINE (IRE)  8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson/Denis O’Regan

26) U-3431U  IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-05 Westerly Breeze Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE/Leighton Aspell

27) 005P-1P HELLO BUD (IRE)  13-10-05 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies

28) P/00-11P WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 9-10-05  Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King/Robert Thornton

29) 200010 SANTA'S SON (IRE)  11-10-05 Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont Howard Johnson/Jamie Moore

30) C21-046 BLUESEA CRACKER (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus    James Motherway IRE/Andrew McNamara

31) 01050 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR)  11-10-04 Don't Tell Henry             Martin Todhunter/James Reveley

32) P2/111/-0 SURFACE TO AIR  10-10-04 Tim Urry  Chris Bealby/Tom Messenger

33) P-234PP PIRAYA (FR)   8-10-04 Terry Neill  David Pipe/Johnny Farrelly

34) 6F-0P5P CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill/Richie McLernon

35) 0-30563 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn/Miss Nina Carberry

36) 15/1P/-52  ORNAIS (FR)   9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls/Nick Scholfield

37) U2U-0P2 ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus  Willie Mullins IRE/David Casey

38) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR)  12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/Paul Gallagher

39) 313-011 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE)  10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards/Dominic Elsworth

40) 210010 GOLDEN KITE (IRE)  9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan     Adrian Maguire IRE/Shane Hassett

40 declared runners

 

FOUR RESERVES

R1  006004 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen/?

R2  402P-02 FAASEL (IRE)   10-10-01 Jim Ennis   David Pipe/?

R3  02043P LE BEAU BAI (FR)  8-10-01 Glass Half Full  Richard Lee/?

 

R4  123-P22 GILES CROSS (IRE)  9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall/?

The reserves can be utilised if there are any non-runners by 9am on Friday morning.

 

The three taken out this morning were

NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 10-10-08 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE/Barry Geraghty

ROLL ALONG (IRE) 11-10-07 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies

OUR MONTY (IRE) 8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE

 

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL PRICES FROM TOTESPORT, THE OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF THE JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

 

 

"The Midnight Club currently heads the John Smith’s Grand National market at the final declaration stage but there is a real head of steam building behind Don't Push It and the McCoy factor may well ensure that last year's winner goes off favourite on Saturday," said totesport spokesman George Primarolo.

 

 

John Smith’s Grand National - totesport bet: 9 The Midnight Club, 11 Backstage, 12 Don’t Push It, Oscar Time, Silver By Nature, What A Friend, 14 Ballabriggs, Big Fella Thanks, 16 Arbor Supreme, Niche Market, 20 Bluesea Cracker, Quinz, 25 Becauseicouldntsee, Character Building, Majestic Concorde, State Of Play, West End Rocker, 33 Calgary Bay, Chief Dan George, Comply Or Die, Hello Bud, In Compliance, Or Noir De Somoza, Skippers Brig, Tidal Bay, Vic Venturi, 40 Killyglen, Surface To Air, The Tother One, 50 Can’t Buy Time, Dooneys Gate, Golden Kite, King Fontaine, Ornais, Quolibet, 66 Grand Slam Hero, Royal Rosa, 100 Piraya, Santas Son, That’s Rhythm.

A quarter the odds 1-2-3-4-5

 

Res1: 50/1 Always Waining, Res2: 100/1 Faasel, Res3: 66/1 Le Beau Bai, Res4: 66/1 Giles Cross.

 

 

John Smith’s Grand National:  Who Will Start Favourite? - totesport bet: 2 The Midnight Club, 4 Don’t Push It, 5 Oscar Time, What A Friend, 11/2 Backstage, 7 Ballabriggs, 14 Silver By Nature, 16 Big Fella Thanks, 25 Niche Market, 33 Becauseicouldntsee, Bluesea Cracker.

Win Only - Others On Request. Dead-heat rules apply for joint or co-favourites.

 

 

FIRST NATIONAL SELL-OUT SINCE 1984

 

Julian Thick, managing director at Aintree, was "over the moon" at news that this year's John Smith's Grand National day ,Saturday, April 9, is an absolute sell-out.

 

He said: "We have records dating back to 1984 and this is the first time that we have been forced to put up the "sold out" signs.

 

"Normally, there are a few tickets available on the day, but this year there was an early stampede, and we put that down to A P McCoy finally laying his National bogey on Don't Push It 12 months ago.

 

"That was the best publicity for the race that we could possibly have had and the enquiries began coming in the Monday after last year's race.

 

"The Gods have certainly been smiling down on us, because the weathermen tell us that it will be warm and sunny over the next three days.

 

"There are still a couple of thousand tickets available for Ladies Day (Friday), but with the forecast so favourable I doubt that they will last long."

 

 

GOLDEN KITE LAST HORSE TO GET IN SATURDAY’S JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

 

 

Dr Anthony Calnan owns Golden Kite, trained by Adrian Maguire in Ireland, who was the last horse to get into Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National after three horses were taken out of the race  this morning at the 48-hour declaration stage.

 

He is a GP based in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland. Born on July 28, 1952, he qualified as a doctor in 1975 and did his initial training at a surgery near Stoke-on-Trent in England.

 

He has returned to Britain many times since to pursue his racing interests, which began when he joined a small syndicate of owners in his home town.

 

The first horse he bought on his own was Golden Kite, a 15,000-euro purchase as a four-year-old at Tattersalls Ireland, and who has progressed to become a runner in the 2011 John Smith's Grand National.

 

Dr Calnan said today: “A friend of mine, James Dullea, who trains pointers, spotted the horse at the sales. After he broke him in, I sent Golden Kite to Adrian Maguire.

 

“I had always admired him as a jockey and then I read an article about him in the Irish Field - that convinced me he was the right man.”

 

Dr Calnan also owns a five-year-old, un-raced half-sister to Golden Kite, who is in training with Dullea, and he also has an un-raced Ad Valorem filly ready to run on the Flat with trainer John Hayden.

 

He will be at Aintree on Saturday with his wife Mareeta, and he hopes they will be joined by their children Patrick, Sarah and Colum.

 

 

THREE RESERVES GET LUCKY

 

    With Northern Alliance, Roll Along and Our Monty being withdrawn at the final declaration stage, connections of reserves  Royal Rosa, Skippers Brig and Golden Kite all got a late call to run in Saturday’s £950,000 John Smith’s Grand National.

 

   Howard Johnson, trainer of Royal Rosa, was delighted, especially as this will be the 12-year-old’s final race.

 

   He said: ”Royal Rosa will be retired after the race, and it would be a fairytale if he could go out on a high. He is a horse who comes alive when he sees those big fences - he relishes the challenge and he ran well in the Becher Chase there in November, while the rain is also a plus.”

 

   Dominic Elsworth was similarly “chuffed” to hear that his intended mount Skippers Brig, trained by Nicky Richards, now gets in.

 

   He said: ”I had a sit on the horse on Monday morning and he felt super. The rain was also a bonus, and I have already won the Becher and had several other good spins over the big fences, so I am really looking forward to it.”

 

   Adrian Maguire, who trains Golden Kite, was the last one to get in, and he, too, was “as pleased as punch”.

 

  He said: ”Golden Kite is an economical jumper and just the sort of horse you need for the National. He has been in good form at home, and now that we know that we are in we can jump on the ferry.”

 

 Shane Hassett takes the ride.

 

 

WALEY-COHEN LOOKS AHEAD TO JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

 

Amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, who won last month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run, will bid on Saturday to join an elite group of riders to have won the Cheltenham race and John Smith’s Grand National in the same season. Waley-Cohen will carry the colours of his father Robert aboard Oscar Time, trained in Ireland by Martin Lynch.

 

“It’s been a pretty extraordinary few months and something just to enjoy and relish,” said the 28-year-old rider. “The Gold Cup seems to have touched a few people, who have written to me saying how much they enjoyed it. There was a large upswelling of goodwill.

 

“Long before I was thinking of even point-to-pointing, you are jumping Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn on your Welsh pony. So this is a boyhood dream. Coming into a race like this, you just want to enjoy it especially wehn you’re on a horse that you believe in. In a conditions race, there are many more factors that you can control and you go out there with a very deliberate plan to ride tactics, either to expose weaknesses in your opposition or ride to your own strengths. Round the National course the biggest challenge is the fences.

 

“Liberthine gave me the thrill of my life when she won the Topham and finished fifth in the National. Ever since the ambition has been to come back and have another go. A lot of people said that was a good time to stop and concentrate on work but another thing comes along and it’s irresistible.

 

“I suppose for the last five years you’ve always looked for horses that might be National horse and every time you have a foal at home you hope it’s a National winner.

 

“I did a study two or three years ago of all the factors behind National winners and favourites. There are some clear trends. You need a bit of quality and more so than ever now. You need to be able to travel in good company and Oscar Time beat Cooldine in a bumper.

 

“To me you want a horse that can be ultra-consistent and hasn’t got a string of pulled-ups and falls in its history. You also want a horse that can travel and jump with real enthusiasm in a big field and he showed that in the Irish National and Paddy Power.

 

“When Oscar Time came up for sale we were on the next flight over because he’s a standout horse. Right from his early days he ticked those boxes.  When we arrived at Martin’s yard, things just felt right. We pulled out Oscar Time and although he’s got a great personality you’d like him to be a bit bigger. But Katarino was only 16 hands and gave me three brilliant rides around here so the size wasn’t something that put me off and he showed he’d got the courage to carry a big weight.

 

“His whole season has been about his preparation for here. The idea behind the hurdling has been to sharpen his jumping up as well as to protect his handicap mark. We were delighted with how he ran in the Bobbyjo Chase. He showed he was exuberant and very genuine and everything we wanted. He travelled like he was going to win on level weights but that day was never going to be his A1 game. We’ve got a 4lb swing in the weights with The Midnight Club over 4m 4f, which gives you quite a bit in your pocket.

 

“Martin is convinced he’ll handle the ground. It’s a man and horse story with Martin and Oscar Time. He only has 10 or 11 horses and bought him as an unbroken store and has all but slept in the same box for the last five years. He’s absolutely his pride and joy. If Martin says he’ll handle the ground then that will do for me.”

 

Trainer Gordon Elliott, who won the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National with Silver Birch, is hoping that Backstage can give him win number two on Saturday.

 

“We bought him for some craic going point-to-pointing and he’s just progressed the whole way. He won at Perth and then a good race at Ffos Las,” said Elliott.  “He was travelling well when he unseated last year in the race and we decided that point-to-pointing was the right route to take with him. It’s all about him winning and giving him confidence as well as keeping his mark at what it is. He’s spot on now.

 

“Middleham Park own half of him and the lads in the yard own the rest. I haven’t thought about what they’d get if he wins but it’s probably more than they’d earn in a year working for me!

 

“We also have Dev in the John Smith’s Topham Chase tomorrow and he has got a lot of experience around here. This has been the plan all year and he should run a big race. He’s won over the fences here, had a leg injury but ran very well at Cork the other day. The ground is perfect and shouldn’t inconvenience anyone.”

 

 

NEW GOING DESCRIPTIONS AT 5PM

 

 

The going at Aintree has dried a bit this afternoon and the going has changed to:

 

 

Mildmay Course - Good to soft, good in places (from good to soft)

 

Hurdle Course - Good to soft, good in places (from good to soft, soft in places on the stands’ side)

 

Grand National Course - Good to soft (from soft, good to soft in places)

 

The inside running rail on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses will be moved in after racing today and tomorrow to provide four yards of fresh ground on Friday and Saturday.

 

Friday - dry with sunny spells, 14C.

 

Saturday - dry and cloudy with sunny spells, warm, 18C.

 

 

First race quotes

BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle

 

BUCK'S AT HIS BEST WITH HURDLE WIN NUMBER 12

 

Big Buck's emphatically confirmed his position as king of the staying hurdlers with a quicksilver display in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle - he remains unbeaten over hurdles in Britain, and has taken his score to 12 straight wins. It was his third successive victory in the £100,000 Grade One Aintree race.

 

He easily brushed aside the second-best stayer, Grands Crus, beating him more easily than he had in Cheltenham's Ladbrokes World Hurdle last month and the winning margin could have been a lot further as Big Buck’s cruised beside Grand Crus for two hurdles before being allowed to stride clear on the runn-in. The sponsors of Cheltenham race cut Big Buck's from evens to 4/5 for a repeat win next year.

 

Trainer Paul Nicholls, mindful that his horse is slightly eccentric, said he would not be sent to Punchestown or Auteuil, but would now be given a holiday.

 

He said: "He doesn’t travel particularly well and we would have to fly him to those venues, because he's just too quirky to go overnight.

 

“At 4am this morning he was flying around his stable because he knew the box was getting ready to bring him up to Aintree.

 

"He'll go for the same four races next year [two staying hurdles at Newbury, then Cheltenham followed by Aintree]. He'll never run on the Flat and I doubt he'll ever run over fences again.

 

“There's no need to - it's great for racing that there is a horse this good, and since no horse has ever won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle four times that will be the goal.

 

“He was awesome today, probably as good as ever - it was probably his best performance. Dan (Skelton, assistant) just said to me that he's the best horse we've ever had at Ditcheat and I'd have to agree.

 

“On that form today, it's going to be a long while before he gets beat.”

       

Nicholls added: “You can ride the horse anywhere in a race - he's so relaxed now and so professional you could make the running on him. Ruby [Walsh] said the horse felt as well today as he has ever done.

 

“There was a minor issue earlier in the week when he didn't eat up, but the blood test we did was spot on and he didn't miss any work. It was the sort of thing we deal with when training horses. The girl who rides him was happy with him.”

 

Ruby Walsh added: “Big Buck’s is a wonderful horse - he has won at Aintree for the last four years on the trot (he won the matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices’ Chase in 2008) and he is just incredible.”

 

 

Race 1 - BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle

 

“HE’S A MACHINE” - STEWART

 

Owner Andy Stewart has no doubt that Big Buck’s produced his best performance yet when scoring another facile success in the Grade One BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle, which the 4/6 favourite was winning for the third year running.

 

Stewart, describing Big Buck’s as “a machine”, added: “He laughed at them and he is not only the best horse that I have owned but is certainly one of the best staying hurdlers that I have ever seen.

 

“Ruby(Walsh) felt that he gave Big Buck’s a better ride today than he had done at Cheltenham and told me that the horse was so keen to go on that he was finding it difficult to keep him hard on the bridle.”

 

Big Buck’s had also completed a hat-trick of victories in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, and Stewart confirmed that it will be the same programme next year.

 

He continued:”This is very much a team effort, from Rose and Donna who look after him and ride him regularly at Ditcheat, through to Dan Skelton, Clifford Baker and, of course, Paul (Nicholls) himself, not forgetting Ruby who loves Big Buck’s to bits.”

 

Asked whether Big Buck’s, who has won 12 races on the spin since he fell in the Hennessy Cognac Gold at Newbury in November, 2008, would ever return to fences, Stewart said:”I very much doubt it, but you never say never at this game. However a fourth World Hurdle at Cheltenham will be the first priority next year and then we’ll come back here and try and win this race for the fourth consecutive season.”

 

Stewart is represented by Ornais in the John Smith’s Grand National, and, while the owner does not expect to be standing in the same winner’s enclosure at around 4.30pm on Saturday, he stressed that “there are plenty worse outsiders.”

 

He added:”Ornais is a 100-1 shot and that is probably about right. But he has been a good horse in his time and was once rated 158, so it would not be a complete surprise if he did a Mon Mome!”

 

 

SECOND IN AWE OF SENSATIONAL BIG BUCK’S

 

Trainer David Pipe was magnaminous in defeat after Grands Crus finished five lengths adrift of the easy winner Big Buck’s saying: We were beaten by a the best horse in training, the winner was mazing so we can’t complain.

 

“It was true-run race but it didn’t really matter how it was run - Big Buck’s would have won whatever.”

 

 

JOCKEYS REPORT ON THE GROUND AFTER THE FIRST RACE

 

Ruby Walsh, rider of the impressive five-length winner Big Buck’s, said: “It is lovely ground.”

 

Tom Scudamore, jockey of the second, Grands Crus, said: “It is on the slow side of good.”

 

Andrew Lynch, partner of third-placed Won In The Dark, said: ”It is just on the slow side of good.”

 

Davy Russell, partner of the fourth Carlito Brigante, said: “It is just on the slow side of good. Beautiful National Hunt ground.”

 

Daryl Jacob, on board Gwanako, said: “Lovely ground.”

 

AP McCoy, rider of Karabak, said: “It is a little dead.”

 

Paddy Brennan, rider of Khyber Kim, said: “Beautiful.”

 

Jan Faltejsek, on board Knockara Beau, said: “It is just on the slow side but very nice ground.”

 

Tom O’Brien, jockey of Markington, said: “It is lovely, like a carpet.”

 

Richard Johnson, partner of Possol, said: “It is on the slow side of good.”

 

Barry Geraghty, rider of Sentry Duty, said: “Good to soft.”

 

 

Second race quotes

The Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle

 

ZARKANDAR TOUGHS IT OUT FOR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

 

 Zarkandar, a half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, is fast making a name for himself over jumps, and Paul Nicholls’ JCB Triumph Hurdle winner made it three out of three at the winter game when scoring a hard-earned length and a quarter success over the equally tough Kumbeshwar in the Grade One Matalan Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.

 

 In an incident-packed race, trailblazing Palawi was still in front when he crashed out at the second last, falling right in front of Grandouet, who was picking up for Barry Geraghty but had no chance of avoiding the horse and was brought down.

 

 Nicholls said: “Ruby (Walsh) felt that he would have won anyway as Zarkandar was only idling, but he was definitely not as good today as he had been in his two previous races, and he is now ready for his summer holiday.

 

 “We had a scare with him on Monday, when he developed a huge abscess in his mouth, which had to be lanced, and had this Grade One not been coming up he would have been pulled out.

 

 “He was not ready to run in the autumn, so he has had three quick runs now, but we certainly have to treat him like a Champion Hurdle prospect for next year.

 

 “Zarkandar would not have the speed of Brampour at home, but he comes alive on the racecourse and, though we only just got away with it today, he did not let us down.”

 

 Part-owner Chris Giles added: “This is all a dream. We needed a bit of help today and we got it at the second last, but he worked hard for victory and has a terrific attitude.”

 

 

TWO OUT OF TWO FOR RUBY

 

Jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Paul Nicholls completed a quick, short-priced double on the opening day of the John Smith's Grand National meeting when Zarkandar followed up the victory of Big Buck's.

 

Zarkandar won the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, adding to his success in Cheltenham's JCB Triumph Hurdle, and Walsh said of the 4/6 winning favourite: "He's quite a laid-back type and required a bit of riding along, but I knew I had a bit of horse left if I really wanted to go.

 

"He jumped the last well and I gave him a squeeze and when he went a length or two in front he just idled a bit - but there was plenty of horse still there and he's a quick and accurate jumper.

 

"He's got a savage pedigree [he's a half-brother to unbeaten Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava] and he's got the class and attitude to go with it. Maybe he could win a good race on the Flat, but you'd have to rob Paul Nicholls to find out.

 

"The Champion Hurdle is the logical progression, although he'll have to improve from four to five. He's showing all the right signs."

 

 

SECOND RACE PLACED QUOTES

MATALAN ANNIVERSARY 4YO HURDLE (GRADE 1)

 

KUMBESHWAR ON UPGRADE

 

 The Alan King-trained Kumbeshwar lost out by one and a quarter lengths to Zarkandar when finishing second in the Grade One Matalan Anniversary 4YO Hurdle.

 

 “He’s hard as nails and just such a tough horse,” said King. “He travelled, he jumped and was coming back again at the end. He certainly proved that he deserved to be here.

 

 “He’d had a tough time with David Evans before he came to us but seems to thrive on his racing. I’m amazed with the way that he’s kept progressing, when he met Zarkandar at Kempton there were 20 lengths between them.

 

 “If I’m really pleased with him after this we might look at Punchestown next month but otherwise we’ll put him away and hopefully he’ll be even better for a summer at grass.”

 

 Jockey Robert Thornton added: “He’s tough, he tries, he settled well and gave me a fantastic ride. He never missed a beat at his hurdles and this rode like a good race.”

 

 Venetia Williams, trainer of third-placed Houblon Des Obeaux, declared: “He’s a lovely horse. He’s shown that soft ground is very much in his favour and although it was safe enough ground to run him on today, it certainly wasn’t in his favour. He stayed on nicely and he deserves to pick up what is a nice third prize.”

 

JASON MAGUIRE

 

 Jason Maguire, who fell two out on Palawi, has been stood down for the rest of the day, after cutting and bruising his elbow.

 

 

MAGUIRE TO HOSPITAL

 

 

 Jockey Jason Maguire, who fell on Palawi in the second race, has been taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray on his elbow. Maguire is due to partner Ballabriggs in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

 

 

THIRD RACE WINNING QUOTES

totesport BOWL CHASE (GRADE 1)

 

NACARAT ON TOP

 

The front-running Nacarat (7/2) ran out an impressive winner of the totesport Bowl under jockey Paddy Brennan to hold off the gutsy mare Carole’s Legacy. The 5/4 favourite, Denman, finished only fifth.

 

 The victory was one of the biggest of George’s career while it was the first major triumph for Paddy Brennan since recently relinquishing his position as stable jockey to Nigel Twiston-Davies.

 

 “A lot of hard work has gone into this horse from the vets, physios and people at home,” said George. “Paddy gave the horse a great ride. He told me what he was going to do beforehand and he did it. It was just a relief that it didn’t rain too much and they didn’t carry on watering, he is much better on good ground.

 

 “His work has been exceptional recently. We knew he was well but just wanted everything to go right today. He hadn’t run well on two occasions before at Cheltenham and while I’ve no reason to think he wouldn’t act there, we didn’t want to do anything that might ruin our chances of coming here.

 

 “We’ve won big races this season like this, the Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chase but not been so lucky in the 0-90s and smaller races but I hope this brings in some more horses for us.

 

 “Paddy rode his first winner for me as a conditional and he has been a big help to us. He’s going to be a big part of my yard in the future.

 

 “I will have a think about Punchestown but he’s a fresh horse and enjoys his racing. He loves his work and it’s a privilege to have a horse like him.”

 

 Brennan added: “He was a fresh horse today and I discussed with Tom about trying to win the race early but on this ground no matter how I rode this horse it wouldn’t be a problem. He showed he was the best horse today and when you let him go on that ground he can do a lot of damage to good horse. Today he proved he was really special.

 

 “I really thought that if he had his ground today he would be hard to beat. It may not have been the strongest renewal but he couldn’t have done it any better. On softer ground he doesn’t quicken but he quickened to the line today.

 

 “I’ve still got the backing of Nigel (Twiston-Davies), who has been a great supporter to me and it just happens that Nigel has two wonderful lads riding for him but I’m going to get out there and ride winners. It’s a wonderful new challenge for me but I’m willing to give it a go. I’ve cleared the air and come out as a freelance jockey and already feel like I’m riding better. This was the right decision for me.”

 

Third race - totesport Bowl Steeple Chase - Placed Quotes

 

BOTTLE OF WINE COULD RESOLVE CAROLE'S LEGACY

 

Trainer Nicky Henderson has two issues to resolve following the totesport Bowl Chase - persuading Carole's Legacy's owner/breeder, Paul Murphy, to run the mare in Sandown's Bet 365 Gold Cup, and finding a solution to Punchestowns' jumping issues.

 

The pair finished second and last of six respectively behind winner Nacarat, following which Murphy said of Carole's Legacy: "That's it - the shoes are coming off. She'll be retired and visit [stallion] Kayf Tara. She's been a marvellous mare."

 

However, the Sandown race is very tempting, and Henderson said: "We know she's got to go to stud - this family has been fantastic to the Murphy clan and it's there to be preserved. It's great the line will be continued - it's the family of Mad Max and there's a young sister just about ready to run in a bumper.

 

"I'd love to run her again, but it's Paul's decision - I've probably got a bottle of red wine that will persuade him, but I'm not sure how good it's got to be!"

 

Of Punchestowns, Henderson said: "He's finding jumping fences very difficult at the moment. Barry said he missed the second and was just losing ground everywhere. His jumping is letting him down and we've got to think something is hurting him, but we've got the summer to iron that out. He won't run again this season."

 

 

Race 3 - totesport Bowl - Third-placed quotes

 

FOLLOW THE PLAN BELIES HIS RATING

 

On ratings, Irish challenger Follow The Plan had no chance against the big boys in the £150,000 totesport Bowl, but Oliver McKiernan’s eight-year-old gave Tom Doyle a terrific spin round to finish an honourable third, just under 10 lengths behind the winner Nacarat.

 

Doyle said: “Follow The Plan won a Grade One as a novice, but in truth he is Grade Two or Grade Three horse, so this was a really good effort.

 

“He showed here that his Kinloch Brae Chase victory at Thurles in January was no fluke, and he was running a big race when he tipped up at the last in the Leopardstown Chase.

 

“It helped that he came here a relatively fresh horse and he loved the ground, and I was really proud of the way he kept battling.”

 

 

Third race - The totesport Bowl

 

DENMAN ‘ABSOLUTELY FINE’ AFTER NOT ACTING ON TRACK

 

Denman, sent off the 5/4 favourite, finished fifth beaten nearly 25 lengths, and will now be put away for the summer.

 

Trainer Paul Nicholls reported: “He didn’t act on the track, which we half suspected, so Ruby [Walsh] looked after him.

 

“I said to him ‘go wide, skim a bit of daylight and see if you can get him back on the bridle and if he’s not acting look after him’, which he did. He didn’t give him a hard race and he’s absolutely fine.

 

“There was nowhere else for him to go until next November and Paul [Barber] likes to run them.

 

“I could see when he came round this bend [past the winning post] the first time that he wasn’t enjoying it. He gets on the wrong leg and then he’s in trouble. He’s fine in the straight and gets back into it but then he’s back in trouble again on the bend.

 

“I suppose we knew that beforehand, and all the experts will say that but he’s come back safe and sound and that’s the main thing. He’ll have a nice holiday turned out with the others and then we’ll think about next season.

 

Looking ahead to next season, Nicholls added: “In a lot of ways it will be quite hard to run in the Hennessy with top weight. Leopardstown might be an option - it suits him really well and a nice race to run him in might be the Lexus.

 

“We won’t make any plans yet, we’ll make sure he’s okay, turn him away and make a plan later in the year.”

 

 

Race 4 - John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase - Winning Quotes

 

BABY RUN MAKES NIGEL A PROUD DAD

 

Brilliant hunter chaser Baby Run won another major prize today, adding the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase to past successes in the Punchestown Champion Hunters' Chase and Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He also underlined his place as one of racing's greatest schoolmasters, for he carried 16-year-old Willie Twiston-Davies to victory after performing a similar tutorial role for older brother Sam, who is now a professional jockey. Twelve months ago Baby Run unseated Sam in the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase, and last month he did the same to Willie in the Christie's, but each time the boys blamed themselves, not the horse.

 

Their father, Nigel, who trains and owns Baby Run, was gifted the horse by the late Peter Orton. Twiston-Davies senior said: "The boys do ride well, and this is such a great moment after Cheltenham, where Willie did nothing wrong, but it all ended in tears.

 

"We breathed a sigh of relief when he got past the fence where Sam was unseated last year [the sixth], but this was different, a different day and both Willie and the horse were brilliant. He's a crafty little horse, and you can see how well he's going because his ears are pricked, so he needs cajoling just to keep going.

 

"This is what Willie has long wanted to do, and who would want to stop their children having fun. At 16 it doesn't take long to bounce back, and after Cheltenham Carl Llewellyn took him home and looked after him, and by the time I got home and we watched the race together he was fine. He didn't do anything wrong - he had to go for that long stride and the horse put down. Today I just told him to enjoy himself. You wouldn't get a better horse than Baby Run for your boys to learn on.

 

"Baby Run will be entered for Punchestown, but while he's only nine he's got some mileage on the clock and he's had a lot of problems. We'll see how he is before making a decision - but it will be tempting because that's where the money is."

 

 

BABY-FACED WILLIE JUST KEEPS ON RUNNING

 

If 16-year-old Willie Twiston-Davies didn’t  believe in fairytales, well he does now, having enjoyed “the best feel that I have ever had on a horse” to make all on Baby Run in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase, the youngster’s first ever ride over these awesome Grand National fences.

 

Willie, who was in tears when unseated from Baby Run at the second last in last month’s Cheltenham Foxhunter with the race seemingly at his mercy, made handsome amends on the 3-1 favourite, and, though Irish raider Boxer Georg was closing him down on the run-in, he held on by three parts of a length, punching the air in delight as he passed the winning post.

 

“What a horse,” declared Willie on dismounting from Baby Run, who is owned and trained by his father, Nigel, and, reflecting on what he concedes was a nightmare three weeks ago, he added:”At the time I thought it was the end of the world, but, while Cheltenham is special, I would rather win a race over these big Aintree fences than those at Cheltenham.

 

“I walked the course with Tom Scudamore before racing, and he kept stressing on me that above everything else I should show respect for the fences and that on no account was I to start relaxing after jumping Becher’s.

 

“However, once I got over Becher’s I did think to myself ‘well, at least I’ve got round’, though I was afraid that somebody would come and catch me on the run-in and that Baby Run might stop. But he is a fantastic horse and he just kept on running.

 

“After Cheltenham, I had a chat with Yogi Breisner, who suggested that maybe I needed to sit a bit more quietly, and I took that advice on board, but there are so many people to thank, not least my father, who could easily have succumbed to the constant badgering of my elder brother Sam, who kept pleading with him to run Baby Run under Rules.

 

“Baby Run has done so much for me and it really is a fairytale feeling, and, while I have to go back to school on May 16 to sit my GCSE’s, that will be it then. All I want to do is be out there riding winners and I might well turn conditional, but I certainly won’t be sorry to kiss goodbye to my schooldays, especially English lessons. I can’t stand that subject.”

 

 

FAMILY AFFAIR ALL ROUND IN THE FOX HUNTERS

 

The John Smith’s Fox Hunters’  was won by a father/son combination with Baby Run, and the family theme continued through the places with the runner-up also being trained and ridden by a father and son, while the third horse home was trained and ridden by sister and brother.

 

Willie Mullins, trainer of runner-up Boxer Georg, ridden by his son Patrick, said: “I’m absolutely delighted - I don’t think I’ve cheered as hard for a horse in ages.

 

“Patrick gave him a fantastic ride. The horse made one or two mistakes but it went more or less to plan. The winner was just too good but we were delighted to be second. We were never going to catch him. Our horse ran way above our expectations.”

 

Referring to his son’s first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday aboard Dooneys Gate, Mullins added: “This will have been a fantastic bit of experience for him and I hope he gets as good a spin out of Dooneys Gate.

 

“The horses have all travelled over fine and we’re very happy with them. It’s just disappointing that Our Monty didn’t make it.”

 

Tracey Bailey trains Offshore Account, who posted a great round to finish third under her brother Nick Sutton.

 

Bailey said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. This is a real family affair: he’s owned and ridden by my brother and ridden out by my daughter Pandora.

 

“He was a real star going round - he made a couple of mistakes but my brother said they were his fault, not the horse’s. Nick came back with a bloody lip and he said he got that from the horse putting him back in the saddle.

 

“To have a horse of this calibre is a real honour - I’d never have the chance to have a runner here otherwise.”

 

 

FIVE AMATEURS PICK UP BANS AFTER FOX HUNTERS'

 

Five amateur riders were suspended following the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase.

 

Sam Waley-Cohen, who rode Turko, Josh Halley, who partnered Ice Tea, Alan Berry on Moncadou and Declan Queally on board Kilty Storm were interviewed by the stewards and asked why they had ridden their horses - who had either fallen or were brought down - back to the place appointed for unsaddling before the horses were examined by a racecourse vet.

 

They were found in breach of Rule (B) 46.2 and were all suspended for four days on dates to be advised.

 

 

Tom Weston, who rode Silver Adonis, was found in breach of Rule (B) 59.3.2.1 in that he failed to ride out for sixth place. He was suspended for two days on dates to be advised.

 

 

 

Fifth race - The matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase

Winner’s quotes

 

 

OISEAU DE NUIT “SO UNLUCKY”

 

Oiseau de Nuit , who sprang a 40/1 surprise when winning the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last month, was unlucky not to follow up in the matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase, being beaten four and a half lengths by Silk Drum after being virtually on the floor at the second fence.

 

“The saddle slipped and I lost my irons - we were as good as gone, but I somehow managed to stay in the plate and I gave him time to recover and creep my way back into the race. It definitely cost  me the race, and it was only the horse’s class which enabled us to get second,” lamented 7lb conditional jockey Steven Clements.

 

Colin Tizzard, who trains Oiseau de Nuit, said: “Steven did really well to survive that blunder. I thought he was a goner, but this horse is definitely improving and we might have a look at a race at Sandown’s final meeting.”

 

Third-placed I’m Delilah also had to come back from trouble in running and his trainer Ferdy Murphy said: “She got stopped in her tracks when landing on top of Leo’s Lucky Star. She had a very good rider on her (James Reveley) and he crept back in and did well to get third. She could run again this season but must go left-handed.”

 

 

DREAM RESULT FOR GALLAGHER ON HIS FIRST RIDE AT AINTREE

 

 

The grey Silk Drum stayed on well to win by four and a half lengths giving young jockey Paul Gallagher a dream introduction to Aintree on his first ride at the course in the two-mile matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase. He also provided trainer Howard Johnson with a second victory in the race following the 1997 success of Down The Fell.

 

Irish-born Gallagher, who has been riding in England for just over a year and has been retained by Howard Johnson for the last two months after starting out with Ferdy Murphy, said: “The faster we were going the stronger he was travelling. I was probably in front a little bit too soon to be honest but he was just travelling so well. He jumped brilliantly and was so quick away from the fences.

 

“The ground out there is absolutely perfect - it should suit any horse and they’ve done a fantastic job on it.

 

“The boss said this morning that he had a good chance. I was hopeful that he’d run well but I didn’t think he’d win as easily as he did. He was well out of the handicap as well.”

 

A native of Co Kildare and the cousin of Champion Hurdle-wining jockey Dean Gallagher, the 24-year-old discovered yesterday that he has a first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday after the Johnson-trained Royal Rosa made the cut.

 

He added: “I’m so excited about Saturday but to ride a winner on my first ride here is just unbelievable. The National’s a lottery but if he gets round and stays he could have a chance.

 

“All week I’ve been biting at my nails hoping he’d get in. I was on the phone to Dean last night to get some tips. He told me just to hunt round and keep out of trouble. It’s just amazing for me having my first ride in the National.”

 

 Sixth race quotes - totepool Manifesto Chase

 

U-TURN PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR HOBBS

 

Philip Hobbs left it late, but a last minute change of mind to re-route Wishfull Thinking to the Grade Two totepool Manifesto Chase paid dividends when the eight-year-old galloped his rivals into submission, beating Arkle fourth Medermit by an easy 10 lengths.

 

Explaining the U-turn, Hobbs said: “Our original plan was to run in the three-miler here tomorrow, but we were sitting having breakfast with  Richard Johnson at declaration time when it came through that this race was being re-opened as only five had been declared.

 

“We knew what the five were and Richard made the point that Wishfull Thinking had plenty of pace, so at 10.26am we rang Weatherbys to declare.

 

“Unfortunately, we could not get through, but we were finally put on hold at 10.28am, and, though it was 10.31am before we got an answer, because we were on hold before the time limit had run out we were allowed our declaration. It was a good job that Richard came down to school, otherwise we might not have done the switch.”

 

Wishfull Thinking had run a smashing race to beat all but Noble Prince in the Jewson Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles at Cheltenham, and Johnson now thinks that they should maybe stay at two and a half miles for the time being.

 

Hobbs added: “Wishfull Thinking was brilliant today. He fell here first time over fences, but he was too big and landed on his head that day, and on what we had seen on the schooling grounds at home, we never had any worries on that score. There is only a three-mile novice at Punchestown, so we might draw stumps now for the season.”

 

 

SIXTH RACE PLACED QUOTES

totepool MANIFESTO NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 2)

 

SUMMER BREAK FOR ROYAL CHARM

 

 Royal Charm, who finished third in the totesport Manifesto Novices’ Chase, is set for a break. “It was a good enough run but what he really wants is a summer at grass,” said trainer Paul Nicholls. “I’ve minded him a bit this year and even though he’s six, he’s a big horse with more growing to do.

 

 “Ruby (Walsh) says that he wants the ground quite soft and he’s going to need three miles next year.”

 

TOM SCUDAMORE

 

 Tom Scudamore gave up his remaining rides today after falling from Leo’s Lucky Star in the sixth race. Scudamore, who is believed to be bruised but not seriously injured, is due to ride Or Noir De Somoza in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

 

Seventh race - The Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle

Winner’s quotes

 

RUSSIAN WAR CONTINUES GREAT RUN OF FORM FOR ELLIOTT

 

 

The Irish celebrated a last-race winner on Liverpool Day when the Gordon Elliott-trained Russian War coasted home under Paul Carberry to score at 16/1 in the Listed Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle. .

 

Elliott, who won the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National with Silver Birch, said: “Paul rides a lot of our horses at home and you put your heart in your mouth a lot of the time but he’s a genius.

 

“He just nursed him round, the horse didn’t even know he had a race today - we could run him next week. He’s the sort of horse who will go on any ground. He has a lot of ability and when he puts his mind to it he’s okay.”

 

Elliott has two chances over the National fences in the next two days, courtesy of Dev in the John Smith’s Topham Chase tomorrow and Backstage in the big race itself.

 

He said: “Our three runners today have all run well and Dev is one of my picks of the week. Backstage is bombing but it’s the Grand National so you do need a lot of luck but if he jumps round and gets a clear round you never know.”

 

RACE 7 PLACED QUOTES

THE SILVER CROSS HANDICAP HURDLE

 

REINDEER DIPPIN MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME

 

Reindeer Dippin was a late developer, but he is fast making up for lost time, and, though stepping up in class, he ran a corker to finish second in the concluding Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle.

 

Indeed, the front-running Reindeer Dippin, who had everything flat to the boards before the home turn, still touched down marginally in front at the final flight, only to be run out of it and beaten a length and a quarter by Irish challenger Russian War.

 

Reindeer Dippin is trained by Donald McCain, and his father Ginger, who bred the nine-year-old, said:”He is the queerest horse you could wish to find and did not have a shoe on until he was six. He absolutely loves hock deep ground, and we could have done with a deluge or two, but he is a versatile sort - he has already won twice over fences - and he could run again if we could find some more wet ground.”

 

Third place went to the Jim Goldie-trained Wyse Hill Teabags, who gained his name through being born at Wyse Hill Farm to a mare called Mrs Tea - she was nicknamed Teabags.

 

Goldie said: “That was a great effort and we’re chuffed to bits with him. I think he would have gone close to winning if he had really jumped the last - but he’s still a novice and it was his first run in a handicap. He’s a nice horse for next year.

 

“I should think he will be turned out to grass now, but he should jump a fence one day.”

 

 

INVENTOR

 

 

Inventor sadly sustained a fatal injury when he fell in the final race and had to be humanely put to sleep after fracturing a knee.

 

 

 

SPECTRUM SIGNS LEADING JOCKEY AWARD

 

FIRST DAY STANDINGS

 

Jockey    1st    2nd    3rd

Ruby Walsh    2    -    1

Paddy Brennan   1    -    -

Paul Carberry   1    -    -

Paul Gallagher   1    -    -

Richard Johnson   1    -    -

Mr Willie Twiston-Davies  1    -    -

Robert Thornton   -    2    -

Henry Brooke   -    1    -

Steve Clements   -    1    -

Tony McCoy    -    1    -

Mr Patrick Mullins   -    1    -

Tom Scudamore   -    1    -

Aidan Coleman   -    -    1

Tom Doyle    -    -    1

Andrew Lynch   -    -    1

Richie McGrath   -    -    1

James Reveley   -    -    1

Mr Nick Sutton   -    -    1

 

 

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING LEADING TRAINER

 

FIRST DAY STANDINGS

 

Trainer    1st    2nd    3rd

Paul Nicholls   2    -    1

Gordon Elliott IRE   1    -    -

Tom George    1    -    -

Philip Hobbs    1    -    -

Howard Johnson   1    -    -

Nigel Twiston-Davies  1    -    -

Alan King    -    2    -

David Pipe    -    1    -

Nicky Henderson   -    1    -

Donald McCain   -    1    -

Willie Mullins IRE   -    1    -

Colin Tizzard   -    1    -

Tracey Bailey   -    -    1

Jim Goldie    -    -    1

Sabrina Harty IRE   -    -    1

Oliver McKiernan IRE  -    -    1

Ferdy Murphy   -    -    1

Venetia Williams   -    -    1

 

 

FIRST DAY WINNERS

 

2.00pm BGC PARTNERS LIVERPOOL HURDLE (GRADE ONE)

BIG BUCK'S (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 8-11-7 Ruby Walsh 4/6f

 

2.30pm MATALAN ANNIVERSARY 4-Y-O JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE ONE)

ZARKANDAR (IRE) (Potensis Ltd & Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls 4-11-0 Ruby Walsh 4/6f

 

3.05pm totesport BOWL CHASE (GRADE ONE)

NACARAT (FR) (Simon Clarke) Tom George 10-11-7t Paddy Brennan 7/2

 

3.40pm JOHN SMITH'S FOX HUNTERS' CHASE (GRAND NATIONAL COURSE)

BABY RUN (FR) (Nigel Twiston-Davies) Nigel Twiston-Davies 11-12-0 Mr Willie Twiston-Davies 3/1f

 

4.15pm matalan.co.uk RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE THREE)

SILK DRUM (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 6-9-9 Paul Gallagher (5) 9/1

 

4.50pm totepool MANIFESTO NOVICES' CHASE (GRADE TWO)

WISHFULL THINKING (Diana Whateley) Philip Hobbs 8-11-4t Richard Johnson 9/4

 

5.25pm SILVER CROSS HANDICAP HURDLE (LISTED)

RUSSIAN WAR (IRE) (T Howley Jnr) Gordon Elliott IRE 8-10-1t Paul Carberry 16/1

 

 GOING CHANGE

 

The going at Aintree has changed after two and a half hours of persistent drizzle this morning to:

 

 

Mildmay Course - Good to soft GoingStick reading at 11am 7.2 (from good to soft, good in places)

 

Hurdle Course - Good to soft, soft in places on the stands’ side GoingStick reading at 11am 7.1 (from good to soft, good in places)

 

Grand National Course - Soft, good to soft in places GoingStick reading at 11am 6.5 (from good to soft) 

 

The inside running rail on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses will be moved in after racing today and on Friday to provide four yards of fresh ground on Friday and Saturday.

 

Thursday - cloudy with sunny spells, 14C.

 

Friday - dry with sunny spells, 14C.

 

Saturday - dry and cloudy with sunny spells, warm, 18C.

 

 

GOING REMAINS BROADLY THE SAME

 

The going remains broadly the same this morning

 

Mildmay Course - Good to soft, good in places

 

Hurdle Course -  Good to soft, good in places (from Good to soft)

 

Grand National Course - Good to soft (from Good to soft, soft in places from 7th to 11th fences)

 

There was no rain overnight though there is drizzle at the moment.

 

The inside running rail on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses will be moved in after racing today and on Friday to provide four yards of fresh ground on Friday and Saturday.

 

Thursday - cloudy with sunny spells, 14C.

Friday - dry with sunny spells, 14C.

 

Saturday - dry and cloudy with sunny spells, warm, 18C.

 

 

FIRST RACE RESULT

 

2.00pm BGC PARTNERS LIVERPOOL HURDLE (GRADE ONE)

£100,000 guaranteed, 3m 110y. For 4yo+ Weights 4yo.10st 13lb; 5yo+ 11st 7lb Allowances fillies and mares 7lb Entries 19 pay £ 475 Penalty value 1st £57,010.00 2nd £21,390.00 3rd £10,710.00 4th £5,340.00 5th £2,680.00 6th £1,340.00

 

1 BIG BUCK'S (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 8-11-7 Ruby Walsh 4/6f

2 GRANDS CRUS (FR) (Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III) David Pipe 6-11-7t Tom Scudamore 3/1

3 WON IN THE DARK (IRE) (Gerard Crehan) Sabrina Harty IRE 7-11-7 Andrew Lynch 66/1

4 CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott IRE 5-11-7t Davy Russell

5 KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) (W Trueman) George Charlton 8-11-7 Jan Faltejsek

6 KHYBER KIM (Caroline Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-7 Paddy Brennan

7 POSSOL (FR) (Neville Statham & Family) Henry Daly 8-11-7 Richard Johnson

8 MARKINGTON (Ron Stepney) Peter Bowen 8-11-7b Tom O'Brien

9 SENTRY DUTY (FR) (Peter Spiller) Nicky Henderson 9-11-7 Barry Geraghty

10 GWANAKO (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 8-11-7 Daryl Jacob

PU KARABAK (FR) (J P McManus) Alan King 8-11-7b1 Tony McCoy

 

11 ran

Distances: 5, 7, 12, 12, 5, 28, 19, 35, 16

Breeder: Henri Poulat

Breeding: b or br g Cadoudal (FR) - Buck’s (FR)

Totes: Win: £1.70 Places: £1.02, £1.60, £10.60 Exacta: £2.40

 

Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston, Bristol, on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship for several years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title in the 2005/06 season. Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Aintree Festival Wins include: John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2011, 2010 & 2009 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2008 Forest Pennant), Littlewoods Direct Appeal Top Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Pierrot Lunaire), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2008 Gwanako), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2002 Armaturk, 2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic, 2010 Tataniano), John Smith’s Melling Chase (2001 Fadalko), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2008 John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase), Citroen C5 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Natal, 2008 Elusive Dream)), John Smith’s Fox Hunter Chase (2002 Torduff Express), Totesport Bowl (2010 What A Friend, 2000 See More Business) Cheltenham Festival Wins (29) including: Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Buck’s), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman)  First Trainer to Saddle Six Winners on One Card: Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Wincanton Number of Winners (1992/03-2009/10): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148*; 124*; 151* (first trainer to win more than £4 million in prize money in a season);155*;115* *Champion Trainer Wins this Season: 119

 

Winning Jockey: Ruby Walsh Born: May 14, 1979 Background: Ruby (short for Rupert) is associated with the powerful stables of Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland. He is the son of 11-times Irish amateur champion jockey, Ted Walsh, now a trainer. Ruby is the second of Walsh's four children and his younger sister Katie is a successful amateur. He followed in his father's footsteps when capturing the Irish amateur riders’ championship (1996-97) at the age of 19 while still studying for his Leaving Certificate. He was crowned champion Irish National Hunt jockey in his first season as a professional (1998/99) and has taken the title a further five times (2000/2001, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/7 and 2007/08). Walsh has won the John Smith's Grand National twice. His first success came in 2000 on his first ride in the race aboard Papillon, trained by his father, less than a month after returning from a fractured leg sustained in a fall in October, 1999, in the Czech Republic. The Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter provided him with a second success in 2005. He followed Papillon's Aintree triumph with an Irish Grand National victory aboard his father's Commanche Court but surpassed that achievement in the 2004/2005 season when his John Smith's Grand National success aboard Hedgehunter was augmented by wins in the Welsh National (Silver Birch) and Irish Grand National (Numbersixvalverde). He narrowly missed out in that season's Scottish Grand National when his mount, Cornish Rebel, finished a short-head second to Joes Edge. In the 2008/09 season he was leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival for a fourth time.  First Winner: Siren Song, Gowran Park, July 25, 1995 Aintree Festival Wins include: totesport Bowl (2010 What A Friend), John Smith’s Mares’ Standard Open NHF (2009 Candy Creek), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2011, 2010 & 2009 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2008 Forest Pennant) Littlewoods Direct Imagine Appeal Top Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Pierrot Lunaire), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2008 Gwanako), John Smith’s Grand National (2000 Papillon (His first National ride), 2005 Hedgehunter), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2008 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic, 2010 Tataniano), Baltika Beer Aintree Hurdle (2002 Ilnamar, 2006 Asian Maze), John Smith’s Anniversary 4-y-o Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Le Duc), Citroen C5 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Garde Champetre, 2006 Natal, 2008 Elusive Dream) Cheltenham Festival Wins (32) including: Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Buck’s), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007 & 2009 Kauto Star), Stan James Champion Hurdle (2011 Hurricane Fly)  1,000th Winner in Ireland: Rare Article, Smirnoff (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, Thurles, May 4, 2008 (became only the second jockey to complete the feat after Charlie Swan)  Number of Wins in Britain (1998/99-2009/10): 1; 1; 5; 13; 77; 62; 81; 69; 73; 69; 69; 69;  Wins in Britain This Season: 20

 

 

 

SECOND RACE RESULT

 

2.30pm MATALAN ANNIVERSARY 4-Y-O JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE ONE)

£100,000 guaranteed, 2m 110y. For 4yo Weights 11st Allowances fillies 7lb Entries 18 pay £475 Penalty value 1st £56,520.00 2nd £21,310.00 3rd £10,650.00 4th £5,320.00 5th £2,670.00 6th £1,330.00

 

1 ZARKANDAR (IRE) (Potensis Ltd & Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls 4-11-0 Ruby Walsh 4/6f

2 KUMBESHWAR (McNeill Family & Nigel Bunter) Alan King 4-11-0 Robert Thornton 11/1

3 HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) (Mrs Julian Blackwell) Venetia Williams 4-11-0 Aidan Coleman 28/1

4 MAOI CHINN TIRE (IRE) (Alan Baxter) Jennie Candlish 4-11-0 Alan O'Keeffe

5 LOCAL HERO (GER) (P Martin) Steve Gollings 4-11-0 Tony McCoy

6 LAUNCHPAD (Gigginstown House Stud) Dessie Hughes IRE 4-11-0 Davy Russell

7 ORIENTAL CAT (A Brooks) Venetia Williams 4-11-0 Sam Thomas

BD 2 out GRANDOUET (FR) (Simon Munir) Nicky Henderson 4-11-0 Barry Geraghty

Fell 2 out PALAWI (IRE) (Bob McMillan) John Quinn 4-11-0 Jason Maguire

 

9 ran

Non-runner: 9 Third Intention (lame)

Distances: 1 1/4, 29, 8, 20, 3

Breeder: HH Aga Khan’s Studs S.C.

Breeding: b g Azamour (IRE) - Zarkasha (IRE)

Totes: Win: £1.70 Places: £1.20, £1.90, £4.60 Exacta: £9.80

 

Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston, Bristol, on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship for several years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title in the 2005/06 season. Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Aintree Festival Wins include: John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2011, 2010 & 2009 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2008 Forest Pennant), Littlewoods Direct Appeal Top Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Pierrot Lunaire), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2008 Gwanako), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2002 Armaturk, 2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic, 2010 Tataniano), John Smith’s Melling Chase (2001 Fadalko), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2008 John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase), Citroen C5 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Natal, 2008 Elusive Dream)), John Smith’s Fox Hunter Chase (2002 Torduff Express), Matalan Anniversary 4-y-o Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Le Duc, 2011 Zarkandar), Totesport Bowl (2010 What A Friend, 2000 See More Business) Cheltenham Festival Wins (29) including: Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Buck’s), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman)  First Trainer to Saddle Six Winners on One Card: Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Wincanton Number of Winners (1992/03-2009/10): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148*; 124*; 151* (first trainer to win more than £4 million in prize money in a season);155*;115* *Champion Trainer Wins this Season: 120

 

Winning Jockey: Ruby Walsh Born: May 14, 1979 Background: Ruby (short for Rupert) is associated with the powerful stables of Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland. He is the son of 11-times Irish amateur champion jockey, Ted Walsh, now a trainer. Ruby is the second of Walsh's four children and his younger sister Katie is a successful amateur. He followed in his father's footsteps when capturing the Irish amateur riders’ championship (1996-97) at the age of 19 while still studying for his Leaving Certificate. He was crowned champion Irish National Hunt jockey in his first season as a professional (1998/99) and has taken the title a further five times (2000/2001, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/7 and 2007/08). Walsh has won the John Smith's Grand National twice. His first success came in 2000 on his first ride in the race aboard Papillon, trained by his father, less than a month after returning from a fractured leg sustained in a fall in October, 1999, in the Czech Republic. The Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter provided him with a second success in 2005. He followed Papillon's Aintree triumph with an Irish Grand National victory aboard his father's Commanche Court but surpassed that achievement in the 2004/2005 season when his John Smith's Grand National success aboard Hedgehunter was augmented by wins in the Welsh National (Silver Birch) and Irish Grand National (Numbersixvalverde). He narrowly missed out in that season's Scottish Grand National when his mount, Cornish Rebel, finished a short-head second to Joes Edge. In the 2008/09 season he was leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival for a fourth time.  First Winner: Siren Song, Gowran Park, July 25, 1995 Aintree Festival Wins include: totesport Bowl (2010 What A Friend), John Smith’s Mares’ Standard Open NHF (2009 Candy Creek), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2011, 2010 & 2009 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2008 Forest Pennant) Littlewoods Direct Imagine Appeal Top Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Pierrot Lunaire), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2008 Gwanako), John Smith’s Grand National (2000 Papillon (His first National ride), 2005 Hedgehunter), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2008 Big Buck’s), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic, 2010 Tataniano), Baltika Beer Aintree Hurdle (2002 Ilnamar, 2006 Asian Maze), Matalan Anniversary 4-y-o Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Le Duc, 2011 Zarkandar), Citroen C5 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Garde Champetre, 2006 Natal, 2008 Elusive Dream) Cheltenham Festival Wins (32) including: Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Buck’s), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007 & 2009 Kauto Star), Stan James Champion Hurdle (2011 Hurricane Fly)  1,000th Winner in Ireland: Rare Article, Smirnoff (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, Thurles, May 4, 2008 (became only the second jockey to complete the feat after Charlie Swan)  Number of Wins in Britain (1998/99-2009/10): 1; 1; 5; 13; 77; 62; 81; 69; 73; 69; 69; 69;  Wins in Britain This Season: 21

 

 

THIRD RACE RESULT

 

3.05pm totesport BOWL CHASE (GRADE ONE)

 £150,000 guaranteed, 3m 1f. For 5yo+ Weights 11st 7lb Allowances mares 7lb Entries 13 pay £700 Penalty value 1st £84,780.00 2nd £31,965.00 3rd £15,975.00 4th £7,980.00 5th £4,005.00 6th £1,995.00

 

1 NACARAT (FR) (Simon Clarke) Tom George 10-11-7t Paddy Brennan 7/2

2 CAROLE'S LEGACY (Paul Murphy) Nicky Henderson 7-11-0 A P McCoy 4/1

3 FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) (Redgap Partnership) Oliver McKiernan IRE 8-11-7 Tom Doyle 40/1

4 DEEP PURPLE (Paul Green) Evan Williams 10-11-7 Paul Moloney

5 DENMAN (IRE) (Paul Barber) Paul Nicholls 11-11-7 Ruby Walsh 5/4f

6 PUNCHESTOWNS (FR) (Judy Wilson) Nicky Henderson 8-11-7 Barry Geraghty

 

Distances: 6, 3 3/34, 7, 8, 14

Breeder: Francis Maze

Breeding: gr g Smadoun (FR) - Gerbora (FR)

Totes: Win: £5.10 Places: £2.30, £2.70 Exacta: £23.30

 

Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Background: Brennan spent the summer of 1995 working for County Kildare handler Gerry Stack before embarking on a five season apprenticeship with the leading Irish trainer Jim Bolger, for whom he rode eight winners. The first of those came on Ivory Isle at Gowran Park in August, 1998. He became too heavy and tall for the Flat and moved to Paul Nicholls' stable as a conditional jockey in 2001. He stayed there for two and a half years, riding winners for Nicholls and Jeff King, before joining Philip Hobbs in the 2003/4 season as one of that yard's conditionals. Brennan was appointed as retained rider to owners Andrea and Graham Wylie for the 2006/7season after dropping by trainer Howard Johnson's County Durham yard for a cup of tea and toast. He rewarded those connections when guiding Inglis Drever to victory in the 2007 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham. Brennan, who wanted to return to the south of England, left Johnson at the end of the 2006/07 season and joined Naunton-based handler Nigel Twiston-Davies at the start of the 2007/08 campaign. Cheltenham Festival Wins (6): totseport Cheletenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Comander), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2010 Pigeon Island), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), Pertemps Final (2008 Ballyfitz), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2006 Shamayoun), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2007 Inglis Drever) First Winner: Ivory Isle (Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, Gowran Park, August 12, 1998) Aintree Festival Wins: totesport Bowl (2011 Nacarat), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2009 Irish Raptor), John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase (2009 Tartak), Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Petitfour), John Smith’s Citroen C4 Picasso Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Tidal Bay), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (Ashley Brook 2005), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2006 Wellbeing), John Smith's Aintree Hurdle (2010 Khyber Kim)  Other Big Race Wins: Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (2008 Pigeon Island), Hyde Novices' Hurdle (2007 Razor Royale), Argento Chase (2008 Knowhere), Scottish Grand National (2009 Hello Bud), Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (2007 Mahogany Blaze), West Yorkshire Hurdle (2008 Pettifour); Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2005 Hakim); Charlie Hall Chase (2007 Ollie Magern), StanJames.com International Hurdle (2007 Osana), Old Roan Chase (2008 Knowhere), John Smith’s Hurdle (2008 Pettifour), Paddy Power Gold Cup (2008 Imperial Commander), Greatwood Hurdle (2009 Khyber Kim), Betfair Chase (2010 Imperial Commander), Peterborough Chase (2010 Tartak) Number of Wins (2000/01-2009/10): 3; 9; 15; 19; 67* (*Champion Conditional Jockey); 60; 80; 104; 84; 67; Wins This Season: 78

 

Winning Trainer: TOM RICHARD GEORGE Born: June 4, 1967 Based: Springbank Stables, Slad, Stroud, Gloucestershire Background: lives in his childhood home with wife Sophie (daughter of former leading national hunt trainer John Edwards). Having left Gordonstoun school in 1984, worked for Arthur Moore, followed by a spell at the privately owned Kingwood Stud. worked for The British Bloodstock Agency and gaining a diploma in Stud Management at The National Stud before becoming assistant to Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and then Michael Jarvis.  Spent a year working in France for Francois Doumen, and finally a year working for champion National Hunt trainer, Martin Pipe. Starting training in 1993 and sent out his first winner, Newton Point, at Worcester on 11th September 1993. Date of First Trainer’s Licence: August 4, 1993 Aintree Festival Wins: totesport Bowl (2011 Nacarat), John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase (2009 Tartak) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (2002 Galileo) Other Major Wins: Albert Bartlett (Prestige) Novices' Hurdle (2001 Historic), Hyde Novices' Hurdle (2009 Tell Massini), Lanzarote Hurdle (2002 Majlis), Long Distance Hurdle (2001 Historic), Racing Post Chase (2009 Nacarat), Bristol Novices' Hurdle (2009 Tell Massini), bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (2010 Nacarat), totesport Peterborough Chase (2010 Tartak), victorchandler.com Handicap Chase (2011 Tartak) Number of Winners (1993/94-2009/10): 4; 2; 4; 6; 11; 18; 21; 19; 30; 22; 50; 46; 34; 30; 32; 37; 35; Wins this Season: 18

 

FOURTH RACE RESULT

 

3.40pm JOHN SMITH'S FOX HUNTERS' CHASE (GRAND NATIONAL COURSE)

£35,000 guaranteed, 2m 5f 110y. For 6yo+ which, after October 2008, and before April 1st, 2011, have finished first, second or third in a hunters' chase on two occasions or have finished first, second or third in a hunters' chase on one occasion and have won either another chase (hunters' chases included) or an open point-to-point chase Weights 12st Allowances mares 7lb Entries 26 pay £175 Penalty value 1st £21,007.00 2nd £6,562.50 3rd £3,279.50 4th £1,641.50 5th £819.00 6th £413.00

 

1 BABY RUN (FR) (Nigel Twiston-Davies) Nigel Twiston-Davies 11-12-0 Mr Willie Twiston-Davies 3/1f

2 BOXER GEORG (IRE) (William Murray/Keith Murray) Willie Mullins IRE 9-12-0 Mr Patrick Mullins 25/1

3 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) (Nick Sutton) Tracey Bailey 11-12-0 Mr Nick Sutton 25/1

4 MISTER APPLE'S (FR) (Paul Vogt) Ian Williams 11-12-0p Mr Ryan Mahon 16/1

5 FORT VIEW (IRE) (Guy & Sophie Henderson) Polly Gundry 7-12-0p Mr Robert Henderson 16/1

6 VAN NESS (IRE) (R Hunnisett) Gerald Bailey 12-12-0 Mr Richard Hunnisett

7 SILVER ADONIS (IRE) (Chris Stedman & R Corsan) Dr Richard Newland 10-12-0 Mr Tom Weston

8 DEAD OR ALIVE (IRE) (Johnson, Weston, Whitaker, Rodosthenous) Tim Vaughan 8-12-0t Mr Tom David

9 BELEM RANGER (IRE) (J & B Arthurs) Jennifer Warwick 11-12-0 Mr John Dawson

10 GOOD COMPANY (IRE) (Foxhunters In Mind) Steve Flook 11-12-0 Mr P J Tolman

11 KANESH (IRE) (Brendan Sweeney) Mark Fagan 8-12-0p Mr Jamie Codd

12 CAPTAIN KNOCK (IRE) (The Chandler Family) David Phelan 8-12-0 Mr Tom Cannon

F6 ICE TEA (IRE) (D Malam) Sian McCain 11-12-0 Mr Josh Hamer

U7 FAIRWOOD PRESENT (IRE) (Jonathan Caulkin) John Buxton 13-12-0 Mr Rob Jarrett

U7 CALL ME MULLIGAN (IRE) (John Helens) John Hellens 7-12-0 Mr Michael Ennis

BD8 MONCADOU (FR) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 11-12-0t Mr Alan Berry

BD8 HERONS WELL (John Halley) Rebecca Curtis 8-12-0 Mr Josh Halley

F8 TURKO (FR) (Mr & Mrs D Borradaile) Lucia Borradaile 9-12-0t Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

F8 KILTY STORM (IRE) (Sean Lucey) Roger McGrath IRE 12-12-0 Mr Declan Queally

U9 MOUNT BENGER (Mr & Mrs R Fuller) Harry Whittington 11-12-0p Mr Sean Keating

PU after 12th MASSINI MAN (IRE) (Steven Astaire) Brendan Powell 10-12-0 Miss Claire Wills

U16 LAUNDE (IRE) (Anthony Ward-Thomas) Jenny Gordon 12-12-0 Mr Philip York

 

22 ran  Time: 5m 36.9s

Non-runner: 11 Honour’s Dream

Distances: 3/4, 13, 1 1/4, 1/2, 19, 5, 7, 1 3/4, 31, 42, 8  

Breeder: Haras De Preaux

Breeding: b g Baby Turk - Run For Laborie (FR)

Totes: Win: £3.60 Places: £2.00, £7.00, £8.30 Exacta: £141.00

 

Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Born on May 16, 1957, as an amateur jockey Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture. Twiston-Davies has adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. An essentially shy man, he momentarily shocked Des Lynam after Earth Summit’s Grand National success in 1998 by telling the BBC presenter in front of millions of viewers “I don’t do interviews”. Trained his 1,000th winner at Stratford in October 2006. Cheltenham Festival wins include (13): totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Aintree Festival wins: John Smith’s Fox Hunter’s Chase (2011 Baby Run), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2009 Irish Raptor), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (1987 Mrs Muck), betfair.com Handicap Chase (1994 Grange Brake), John Smith’s Topham Chase (1994 Indian Tonic), John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase (1996 Arctic Kinsman), John Smith’s Extra Cold H’cp Hurdle (1998 The Proms), John Smith’s Grand National (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree), John Smith’s Champion Standard NH Flat Race (1998 King’s Road, 2005 The Cool Guy), Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (1999 King’s Road, 2008 Petitfour), S&N Aintree Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose, 2010 Khyber Kim), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2001 Docklands Limo) Wins (1982/3-2009/10): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; 70; Wins this Season: 94

 

Winning Jockey: Mr Willie Twiston Davies  Background: son of Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. Brother Sam is also a leading jockey. Started riding out for his father when he was just 10. First Ride Under Rules: Kilvergan Boy (8th), Welcome Back on New Year's Day Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle, Huntingdon, December 16, 2010 Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Fox Hunter’s (2011 Baby Run)Wins This Season: 3

T28.

LIVERPOOL DAY, JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE

AINTREE, THURSDAY, APRIL 7,2011

 

FIFTH RACE RESULT

 

4.15pm matalan.co.uk RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE THREE)

£60,000 guaranteed, 2m. For 5yo+ Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after March 26th, a winner of a chase 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb) Woolcombe Folly's Handicap Mark 167 Entries 32 pay £ 300 Penalty value 1st £34,206.00 2nd £12,834.00 3rd £6,426.00 4th £3,204.00 5th £1,608.00 6th £804.00

 

1 SILK DRUM (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 6-9-9 Paul Gallagher (5) 9/1

2 OISEAU DE NUIT (FR) (Terry Warner) Colin Tizzard 9-10-6 Steve Clements (7) 8/1

3 I'M DELILAH (C Johnstone) Ferdy Murphy 9-10-0 James Reveley 10/1

4 MAMLOOK (IRE) (Peter Deal & G Lowe) David Pipe 7-9-9 Conor O'Farrell (5)

5 TCHICO POLOS (FR) (Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls 7-11-3 Ruby Walsh

6 SAFARI JOURNEY (USA) (Hill/Trembath/Bryan/Outhart) Philip Hobbs 7-10-1b Richard Johnson

7 WOOLCOMBE FOLLY (IRE) (The Hon Mrs Townshend) Paul Nicholls 8-11-7 Mr Ryan Mahon (5)

8 PEPSYROCK (FR) (John & Barbara Cotton) Nicky Henderson 8-9-11 David Bass (3)

9 ENLIGHTENMENT (IRE) (T Hywel Jones) Evan Williams 11-9-7t Nathan Sweeney (7)

10 BEGGARS CAP (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Ferdy Murphy 9-10-0 Graham Lee

F SPORTS LINE (IRE) (A Killoran) Donald McCain Jnr 8-9-7t Henry Brooke (7)

F LEO'S LUCKY STAR (USA) (Sheila Brookhouse) David Pipe 9-10-0t Tom Scudamore 9/2f

Refused to Race CHANINBAR (FR) (Watts/Middleham Park/Thompson/Naylor) Milton Harris 8-10-10tb Sean Quinlan

 

13 ran

Distances: 4 1/2, 4, 4, 1 1/2, 1, 14, hd, 14, 2 3/4  

Breeder: Cherry Faeste

Breeding: gr g Intikhab (USA) - Aneydia (IRE)

Totes: Win: £13.80 Places: £3.90, £3.00, £3.40 Exacta: £197.70

 

Winning Trainer: HOWARD JOHNSON Based: White Lea Farm, Crook, Co Durham Born: August 11, 1953, Barnard Castle Background: Began training in 1984 and sent out his first winner, Tabriz Gold, at Kelso on February 26, 1985. Involved with the Pony Club from a young age and assisted father Roy, who trained a few horses under permit at the family's White Lea Farm on the outskirts of Crook in Co Durham as well as tending a 100-strong dairy herd. Johnson spent two years learning the ropes with legendary Northern trainer Arthur Stephenson and initially harboured hopes of becoming a Flat jockey, something that never materialised, and his achievements as a rider amounted to just one win on the veteran Trim Lawns. Still combines cattle farming with training at White Lea Farm, although over recent years he has considerably stepped up his training operation, thanks to the huge investment of owner Graham Wylie. His owners include former Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer. Wylie owns most of the horses he has in training although Johnson shares ownership of horses that run under the Transcend Bloodstock banner. Cheltenham Festival wins (7): Irish Independent Arkle Trophy (2008 Tidal Bay), National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (1993 Ushers Island), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever, 2007 Inglis Drever, 2008 Inglis Drever) Aintree Festival wins: matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2009 Killyglen), John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Tidal Bay), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli, 1998 Direct Route, 2008 Tidal Bay), matalan.co.uk Red Rum Chase (2011 Silk Drum, 1997 Down The Fell), John Smith’s Topham Chase (1996 Joe White), John Smith’s Melling Chase (1999 and 2000 Direct Route), Totesport Bowl (2005 Grey Abbey) Other major wins: Albert Bartlett (Prestige) Novices' Hurdle (2004 Royal Rosa, 2005 Mephisto), Albert Bartlett (RiverDon) Novices' Hurdle (2005 Bewleys Berry), Ascot Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Bet365 Gold Cup (1994 Ushers Island), Castleford Chase (2008Santa's Son), Champion Hurdle Trial (2005 Inglis Drever), Charlie Hall Chase (2003 Ballybough Rasher, 2004 Grey Abbey), Cleeve Hurdle (2008 Inglis Drever, 2010 Tidal Bay), Dipper Novices' Chase (1995 Morceli), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (2005 Akilak), Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1997 Direct Route), Kingwell Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Leamington Novices' Hurdle (2004 Inglis Drever, 2005 No Refuge), Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase (2005 Grey Abbey), Long Distance Hurdle (2005, 2006 & 2007 Inglis Drever), Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2005 Lord Transcend), Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle (1994 Morceli,1995 Wills Telmar, 2003 Covent Garden, 2005 Mephisto), Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (2011 Back In Focus), Scottish Grand National (2004 Grey Abbey), Swinton Handicap Hurdle (2005 Coat Of Honour), Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (1998 Direct Route), Tingle Creek Chase (1998 Direct Route), West Yorkshire Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Winter Novices' Hurdle (2003 Inglis Drever) Number of Winners (1988/9-2009/10): 14, 14, 10, 21, 19, 32, 32, 35, 23, 27, 18, 19, 13, 15, 33, 41, 68, 58, 54; 63; 83; 62; Wins this Season: 54

 

Winning Jockey: Paul Gallagher Age: 24 Based: c/o Howard Johnson, Bily Row, Crook, County Durham Background: Conditional rider and cousin to jockey Dean Gallagher. He was attached to Ferdy Murphy’s stable before moving to Howard Johnson’s County Durham yard earlier this season. He rode his first double at Musselburgh on February 16, 2011. Wins (2009-10): 5; Wins This Season: 20

 

 

SIXTH RACE RESULT

4.50pm totepool MANIFESTO NOVICES' CHASE (GRADE TWO)

£75,000, 2m 4f. guaranteed For 5yo+ Weights 11st 4lb Allowances mares 7lb Entries 15 pay £ 375 Penalty value 1st £42,757.50 2nd £16,042.50 3rd £8,032.50 4th £4,005.00 5th £2,010.00 6th £1,005.00

 

1 WISHFULL THINKING (Diana Whateley) Philip Hobbs 8-11-4t Richard Johnson 9/4

2 MEDERMIT (FR) (The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership) Alan King 7-11-4 Robert Thornton 15/8f

3 ROYAL CHARM (FR) (Angela Tincknell & W Tincknell) Paul Nicholls 6-11-4 Ruby Walsh 100/30

4 THARAWAAT (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott IRE 6-11-4tb Davy Russell

5 HOLLO LADIES (IRE) (Martin Bourke & R Heaney) Ferdy Murphy 6-11-4 Graham Lee

F SHIRLEY CASPER (IRE) (Seamus Dunne) Dessie Hughes IRE 10-10-11p Andrew Lynch

U HOLD FAST (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 7-11-4 Brian Hughes

 

7 ran

Distances: 10, 23, 7, 41

Breeder: Cobhall Court Stud

Breeding: ch g Alflora (IRE) - Poussetiere Deux (FR)

Totes: Win: £2.90 Places: £2.10, £1.50 Exacta: £5.10

 

Winning Trainer: PHILIP HOBBS Based: Sandhill, Bilbrook, Minehead, Somerset Date of Birth: 26/7/55 Background: Philip was brought up surrounded by horses. His father Tony Hobbs farmed, and had a permit to train for many years, breeding several good horses to run in the family colours. After school at Kings College, Taunton, Philip went on to Reading University and achieved a BSc honours degree. He rode at Hickstead, show jumping as a junior, and rode several point-to-point winners and winners under National Hunt rules as an amateur before turning professional at the age of 21. Rode 160 winners in a 10 year career including The Black and White Gold Cup at Ascot, The Killiney Novice Chase and The Midlands Grand National on such good horses as West Tip and Artifice. Date of first Trainer’s Licence: August 1, 1985 Aintree Festival wins: totepool Manifesto Novices’ Chase (2011 Wishfull Thinking), John Smith’s Novices’ Handicap Chase (2007 Private Be), John Smith’s Topham Chase (1997 Bells Life, 2001 Gower-Slave), Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (1996 Pleasure Shared), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (1996 Pleasure Shared), John Smith’s Extra Cold H’cap Hurdle (1999 Papo Kharisma), John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Phardante Flyer, 2001 Ilico II, 2002 In Contrast), John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase (2000 Bells Life), John Smith’s Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Lord Brex, 2006 Detroit City), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2001 What’s Up Boys), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2006 Wellbeing, 2008 Pearl King) Cheltenham Festival Wins (15): Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase (2010 Copper Bleu), Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2010 Menorah), Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (1990 Moody Man, 2002 Rooster Booster), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase(1996 Kibreet), Coral Cup H’cap Hurdle (2000 What’s Up Boys, 2004 Monkerhostin), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (2002 Flagship Uberalles), Stan James Champion Hurdle (2003 Rooster Booster), RSA Chase (2003 One Knight), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2004 Made In Japan, 2006 Detroit City), Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Massini’s Maguire), The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase (2011 Captain Chris), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2011 Cheltenian)  Number of Winners (1990/91-2009/10): 33; 51; 37; 64; 86; 77; 64; 71; 84; 120; 82; 119; 134; 121; 121; 112; 111; 108; 103; 86; Winners this Season: 80

 

Winning Jockey: Richard Johnson Date of birth: 21/07/77, Madley, Hereford Background: Richard Johnson attended Belmont Abby school, the alma mater of Peter Scudamore, before leaving at 16 to take a job with then champion trainer David Nicholson. He was born and raised at Madley, Herefordshire,. where his parents have a farm. Johnson comes from racing stock as his mother Sue holds a licence to train, while his father Keith, who won the 1982 Midlands Grand National on Bridge Ash, and his grandfather Ivor were both good amateur riders. Johnson is unlucky to be riding in the same era as Tony McCoy as he has finished runner-up to his rival in the jockeys' championship on 11 occasions. In 2007 he married Fiona Chance, daughter of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Noel Chance. First winner 30 April 1994, Rusty Bridge, Exeter Aintree Festival Wins: totepoolManifesto Novices’ Chase (2011 Wishfull Thinking), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2008 Pearl King), John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (1997 Midnight Legend, 2000 Phardante Flyer, 2002 In Contrast, 2005 Mighty Man), Belle Epoque Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (1997 Forest Ivory), Martell Cup Chase (1998 Escartefigue), Heidsieck Monopole Mildmay Novices’ Chase (1999 Spendid, 2001 What’s Up Boys), Sportsman Anniversary 4yo Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Lord Brex, 2006 Detroit City), John Hughes Trophy Chase (2001 Gower-Slave) Red Rum Handicap Chase (2002 Dark N’ Sharp), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2006 & 2007 Mighty Man) Cheltenham Festival wins: (17) Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase (2010 Copper Bleu), Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2010 Menorah), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (1999 Anzum), Byrne Group Plate (2000 Dark Stranger,  2003 Young Spartacus), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2000 Looks Like Trouble), sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (2002 Flagship Uberalles), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2002 Rooster Booster), Stan James Champion Hurdle (2003 Rooster Booster), RSA Chase (2003 One Knight), Cathcart Chase (2003 La Landiere), Coral Cup (2004 Monkerhostin), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2004 Made in Japan, 2006 Detroit City), Neptune Investment Managment Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Massini’s Maguire), The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase (2011 Captain Chris), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2011 Cheltenian) Leading Rider At the Festival: 2002 (2). Number of Wins (1993/94-2009/2010): 1; 12; 53; 102; 120; 133; 143; 161; 132; 147; 186; 135; 167; 154; 122; 132; 160; Wins This Season: 144

 

 

 

SEVENTH RACE RESULT

 

5.25pm SILVER CROSS HANDICAP HURDLE (LISTED)

£40,000 guaranteed, 2m 4f. For 4yo+ Weight raised 2 Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after March 26th, a winner of a hurdle 4lb Get Me Out Of Here's Handicap Mark 153 Entries 69 pay £ 30 pay £ 170 Penalty value 1st £22,804.00 2nd £8,556.00 3rd £4,284.00 4th £2,136.00 5th £1,072.00 6th £536.00

 

1 RUSSIAN WAR (IRE) (T Howley Jnr) Gordon Elliott IRE 8-10-1t Paul Carberry 16/1

2 REINDEER DIPPIN (Sandgrounders) Donald McCain Jnr 9-9-12 Henry Brooke (7) 40/1

3 WYSE HILL TEABAGS (P & J Smith) Jim Goldie 6-10-6 Richie McGrath 20/1

4 MICHEAL FLIPS (IRE) (Martin Tedham) Andrew Turnell 7-11-4 Nick Scholfield 20/1

5 NOTUS DE LA TOUR (FR) (D Bradshaw/J Dale/Peter Deal/J Smee/W Walsh) David Pipe 5-11-1 Andrew Lynch

6 FIRST POINT (GER) (Third Pheasant Inn Partnership) Nicky Henderson 8-10-10 Jeremiah McGrath (7)

7 BOTHY (Dan Gilbert) Brian Ellison 5-10-8 Conor O'Farrell (5)

8 PROBLEMA TIC (FR) (Sir Robert Ogden) Nicky Henderson 5-10-5 Barry Geraghty

9 ORSIPPUS (USA) (Sandra Smith) Michael Smith 5-10-10 Davy Condon

10 SKI SUNDAY (Scarlet Pimpernel) Lawney Hill 6-11-2 Sam Thomas

11 PATEESE (FR) (Test Valley Partnership) Philip Hobbs 6-10-2 Richard Johnson

12 CASS BLIGH (IRE) (Mrs P Murtagh/Hegarty/Murray/Brewster) Adrian Murray IRE 7-10-8 Paddy Brennan

13 RIO GAEL (IRE) (Karen Bowen) Peter Bowen 5-10-4p Tom O'Brien

14 SOPHIES TROPHY (IRE) (Sophie Anderson) Pat Phelan IRE 6-10-0t Colin Bolger

15 AFSOUN (FR) (Mrs J Buckle) Neil King 9-10-7 Alex Merriam (3)

16 NAFAATH (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 5-10-13 Brian Hughes

17 MEGASTAR (Hinds/Waddingham/Arthur/Herbert/Day) Gary Moore 6-11-0 Jamie Moore

F SIRE COLLONGES (FR) (Chris Giles & Mr & Mrs W Tincknell) Paul Nicholls 5-10-2 Ruby Walsh

F INVENTOR (IRE) (The Merseyclyde Partnership) Donald McCain Jnr 6-10-11 Graham Lee

P LAKE LEGEND (J Wright/P Wilson/F Allen/R Preston) Alan King 7-10-10 Robert Thornton

P GET ME OUT OF HERE (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 7-11-12t Tony McCoy 7/2f

P RUSSIAN GEORGE (IRE) (P Martin) Steve Gollings 5-10-2 Aidan Coleman

 

22 ran

Distances: 1 1/4, nse, 2 3/4, 2 3/4, 3/4, 7, 1 1/4, 4, 3 1/4, 12, 6, 1 3/4, 20, 3/4, 16, 15       

Breeder: Tommy Howley

Breeding: b g Moscow Society (USA) - Oneofmegirls (IRE)

Totes: Win: £26.50 Places: £4.80, £9.80, £4.20, £5.30 Exacta: £1320.80

 

Winning Trainer: GORDON ELLIOTT Based: Capranny, Trim, Co Meath, Ireland Background: Former point-to-point rider. Started out at Tony Martin’s Meath stables. Moved to Martin Pipe in 2002 and rode one winner from six amateur rides. Began training in 2006 at Capranny Stables, owned by Barry Callaghan, head of the Dun Doire Syndicate. Won the John Smith’s Grand National in 2007, despite not having recorded a victory in Ireland. Is an avid follower of Australian daytime soap Home And Away. Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Grand National (2007 Silver Birch), Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (2011 Russian War) Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): National Hunt Chase (2011 Chicago Grey); Coral Cup (2011 Carlito Brigante) Big Race Wins Include: Tipperary Hurdle (2007 Salford City), totesport Ebor (2010 Dirar), Betfair iphone & Android App Hurdle (2010 Carlito Brigante), Drinmore Novice Chase (2010 Jessies Dream - his first Grade One victory), Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase (2011 Roi du Mee) Wins in Britain (2006/07-2009/10): 4; 8; 24; 36; Wins in Britain This Season: 33

 

Winning Jockey: Paul ‘Alice’ Carberry Date of Birth: 09/02/1974 Background: Paul Carberry is from a racing dynasty. Father Tommy, who won the 1975 Grand National on L'Escargot and siblings Philip and Nina are also top-class riders. He followed in his father's footsteps when partnering Bobbyjo, trained by Tommy, to a popular victory in the 1999 Grand National. Carberry has forged a reputation as one of the most stylish jockeys - a talent nurtured through hunting, show jumping and point-to-pointing in Ireland. He rides principally for Noel Meade in Ireland since ending a three-year retainer with leading British owner Sir Robert Ogden in May, 1998. He was Irish champion in 2001/02 and 2002/03. Nicknamed ‘Alice' in the weighing room, Carberry is no stranger to controversy and narrowly escaped prison when found guilty of setting fire to a newspaper and using threatening and abusive behaviour on a plane in October 2005. In November, 2009 he was banned from riding for 30 days having failed a pre-race breathalyser test for the second time and vowed to battle his drink problem. He suffered a bizarre injury when being head-butted in the stomach by a deer while out hunting. Aintree Festival Wins: Martell Grand National (Bobbyjo 1999), Belle Epoque Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Pleasure Shared 1996), John Hughes Memorial Chase (Joe White 1996) Sandeman Maghull Novices’ Chase (1998 Direct Route), Barton & Guestier H’cap Hurdle (2000 Ross Moff), Martell Cognac Ember Inns Handicap Chase (2004 Lord of the River), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2005 Definate Spectacle), Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (2011 Russian War Cheltenham Festival Wins: (11) Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2008 Crack Away Jack), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (1993 Rhythm Section, 2006 Hairy Molly), William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (1998 Unguided Missile, 2002 Frenchmans Creek), Royal & Sunalliance Novices’ Chase (1999 Looks Like Trouble); Williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Sausalito Bay, 2009 Go Native), Pertemps Final (2005 Oulart), Grand Annual (2005 Fota Island), Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Nicanor) Wins In Britain (2001/02-2009/10): 2; 1; 2; 7; 4; 0; 2; 7; 4; Wins In Britain This Season:12