04.04.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

News on John Smith's Grand National Day

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL DAY

RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE

AINTREE, SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

GOING CHANGE AT 11.30AM

After walking the course this morning, Aintree’s Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course Andrew Tulloch has changed the official going to

GOOD TO SOFT, GOOD IN PLACES

on all three courses.

The GoingStick readings are 6.5 on the Grand National Course and 6.6 on the Mildmay and Hurdle Courses.

"We had five millimetres of rain overnight but it had cleared away by 6.30am and I would imagine the ground is riding on the dead side today," said Tulloch.

"We’ve produced four to five yards of fresh ground on the Hurdle Course my moving the hurdles inside and I’m very happy with how everything is looking ahead of John Smith’s Grand National day."

GOING NEWS SATURDAY MORNING

Five millimetres of rain fell at Aintree between 1am and 6am this morning.

The going remains

GOOD, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES

on the Grand National course.

On the Mildmay and Hurdle courses there has been a slight change, with the going now

GOOD, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES

from Good yesterday.

There is fresh ground on the Hurdle course after the bends were moved in and hurdles moved onto the inside.

Fresh ground is also available on the Mildmay Chase course after the bends were moved.

It is a perfect sunny spring morning at Aintree at the moment (9.30am).

The weather forecast was: "the rain should ease by around 7am this morning, with bright spells then developing. There will be a few light showers today, a little more frequent in the afternoon, but there will also be some good sunny spells. The showers will gradually ease this evening leaving a dry night with clear spells".

ATTENDANCES

Julian Thick, managing director of Aintree Racecourse, said this morning: "We are not immune from the general economic climate like any sports venue, with hospitality sales a little bit down, but the one thing that has been fantastic is the support of racegoers, particularly the support of local people.

"We think we give people a great day and good value. I am glad they have come along.

"We had more than 50,000 people here yesterday and we hope to have over 60,000, pushing up towards 70,000, today.

"We have been delighted about this year’s race ever since the initial entry. The average rating of the John Smith’s Grand National horses was higher that it has ever been.

"It is an unbelievable and very competitive race - there are loads in there that could win."

2008

Thursday 25,218

Friday 50,722

AINTREE’S HEROES GATHER AHEAD OF WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS RACE

In the quiet of the pre-parade ring, eight heroes of Grand Nationals past wander quietly around in preparation for their brief return to the spotlight. The elder statesman of the octet is Miinnehoma, now 26 with grey patches, the 1994 winner for former champion trainer Martin Pipe and Richard Dunwoody. With him are Rough Quest, Lord Gyllene, Papillon, Red Marauder, Bindaree, Monty’s Pass and the most recent of the former winners here today, Numbersixvalverde.

Irish trainers Ted Walsh and Martin Brassil, repsonsible for Papillon and Numbersixvalverde respectively, watch as the horses who helped thrust their names into the Aintree spotlight enjoy another day in the sun.

"Numbersix only just retired at Christmas so this is his first time at the parade of champions,"

says Brassil, who provided Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden with a Grand National victory on his first ride in the race.

Ted Walsh is seeking to double his tally of Grand National winners when he saddles Southern Vic for the big race today but he is without the services of his son Ruby, who partners favourite My Will for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

"I’m not nervous and all has gone well so far - I just want horse and jockey to come back safe and sound," says Walsh senior. "It could be all over in three fences - anything could happen in this race."

Richard Guest, who galloped to a famous mud-spattered victory aboard Red Marauder in 2001 when he was one of only four finishers, now has his Grand National-winning gelding as a permanent boarder at his Nottinghamshire yard.

"It gives him a real boost coming back here. He goes away and he’s a different horse for a few months afterwards. He lives with us in a field with my fiancee’s mare. He fell in love with her and I fell in love with Alison. He’s 19 now and he’s looking his age - he’s had a few problems but coming here really perks him up.

"I just wish I was riding again today - I would do if I wasn’t so fat!"

One man about to embark on his second Grand National ride is amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen. He has been booked to ride Ollie Magern for Nigel Twiston-Davies, whose Irish Raptor won the John’s Smith’s Topham Chase on Friday. A win in National would give Waley-Cohen a full set of victories in races run over the big fences at the Grand National meeting, having won the Topham Chase on Liberthine and back-to-back runnings of the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase on Katarino in 2005 and 2006.

"I’m really excited and it’s just fantastic to have a ride in the race," says the enthusiastic Waley-Cohen. " I’ve just walked the course and it looks great and now I can’t wait to get on with it. This is undoubtedly my favourite racecourse - the atmosphere is unique and the challenge is always enormous. If you’re on a nice horse it’s just the best feeling in the world. It’s great to be riding for a stable with such a good record here and hope I can do them all credit."

The day kicks off with the John Smith’s People’s Race and British Racing School jockey coach Richard Perham is on hand to offer last-minute advice to the ten riders.

"We’ve all walked the course together but the nerves are starting to kick in," says Perham. "In the last half an hour, everyone has suddenly gone very quiet."

Looking glamorous at the edge of the parade ring is last year’s People’s Race winner Claire Twemlow, who would gladly swap her smart outfit for jockey silks.

"I really wish it was this time last year," says Twemlow. "It’s great to be back but I’d love to do it all again. I’ve had such a fantastic year and have managed to have a few rides but nothing’s ever going to beat winning here on Grand National day."

THE BUTLER CONTESTS THE WILL ON £400 MILLION DAY

My Will, favourite for the John Smith’s Grand National since Ruby Walsh selected the horse as his mount earlier this week, is coming under increasing pressure at the head of the market from Butler’s Cabin, the ride of 13-time champion jockey Tony McCoy. "We’ve got My Will at 15/2 and Butler’s Cabin at 8/1, so it’s very tight," said totesport spokeman George Primarolo.

"The popularity of the two jockeys is such, though, that had Ruby Walsh chosen Southern Vic and Tony McCoy picked L’Ami then those two horses would probably be battling it out for favouritism," he added.

Totesport have seen steady interest in the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Brooklyn Brownie this week, but that horse is now steady at 28/1. Early support on raceday has seen the Dessie Hughes-trained Black Apalachi shorten to 14/1 from 16/1, and Battlecry come in to 40/1 from 50/1. Nigel Twiston-Davies, the trainer of Battlecry, also has Fundamenalist, Knowhere and Ollie Magern.

Twiston-Davies is the most successful trainer in the race, having won the John Smith’s Grand National twice, with Earth Summit and Bindaree. He has endured a rock ‘n roll ride in his fortunes this season, but with two winners at the Cheltenham Festival and one already at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting, punters are latching on to the stable again.

"The John Smith’s Grand National remains, by far, the most popular betting medium in the sport and we would expect over £1m in the totepool alone for the race, with perhaps £400m in total invested nationally," said Primarolo.

John Smith’s Grand National - totesport betting: 15/2 My Will, 8/1 Butler’s Cabin, 9/1 Rambling Minster, 14/1 Black Apalachi, State Of Play, 16/1 Parsons Legacy, 18/1 Comply Or Die, Hear The Echo, Kilbeggan Blade, 20/1 Big Fella Thanks, Darkness, 22/1 Irish Invader, L’Ami, Offshore Account, Southern Vic, 28/1 Brooklyn Brownie, Himalayan Trail, Snowy Morning, 33/1 Cornish Sett, 40/1 Battlecry, Cloudy Lane, 50/1 Can’t Buy Time, Idle Talk, Knowhere, Silver Birch, 66/1 Chelsea Harbour, Golden Flight, Mon Mome, Preists Leap, 100/1 Eurotrek, Fleet Street, Ollie Magern, Reveillez, Stan, Zabenz, 150/1 Fundamentalist, Musica Bella, 200/1 Arteea, Kelami, 500/1 Cerium

RAMBLING RISES UP THE RANKS

As the start of the 162nd John Smith’s Grand National (4.15) draws ever closer, so the market at the head of the betting gets ever more crowded.

Rambling Minster, winner of the Blue Square Chase at Haydock in February, has come in for sustained support with Totesport and Paddy Power, who both now quote the horse at 9/1 while the same horse is now 8/1 joint-favourite (alongside Butler’s Cabin) with William Hill, the shortest price yet for Keith Reveley-trained 11-year-old. William Hill have also shortened the Evan Williams-trained State Of Play to 12/1 while My Will is out to 9/1 with the same firm.

Interest in Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horses continues. The Naunton trainer is four-handed in the John Smith’s Grand National with Knowhere, Ollie Magern, Battlecry and Fundamentalist.

Knowhere, who runs in the colours of Raymond Mould successful with Bindaree in 2002, has been supported with William Hill, in to 50/1 from 66/1, and totesport have taken money for Battlecry, 40/1 from 50/1.

This season Katchit has not matched the heights of last year, but punters have been encouraged by his staying-on sixth in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and have been persuaded that the extra distance (2m 4f) of the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle (2.50) will suit the Alan King-trained six-year-old and both totesport, 11/1 from 14/1, and Paddy Power, 12/1 from 14/1, have seen money for the horse.

The John Smith’s Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (5.30) closes the John Smith’s Grand National Day card. The Alan King-trained Lidar is still a strong favourite, 5/2 with totesport, but there has been a move for the Alan Swinbank-trained Saveiro with William Hill, in to 10/1 from 12/1.

LEE PASSED FIT TO RIDE KILBEGGAN BLADE

Graham Lee has been passed fit to ride the Tom George-trained Kilbeggan Blade in today's John Smith's Grand National.

The jockey injured an ankle when falling in a chase at Wetherby on Monday and missed rides during the first two days of Aintree's John Smith's Grand National meeting, but regular physiotherapy helped in his bid to regain fitness for today's feature race, and he walked the course on arrival at Aintree this morning.

He was subsequently given a green light to resume race riding by the racecourse doctor.

Lee has three rides before the John Smith's Grand National. He partners Kalahari King in the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase (2.15), Blue Bajan in the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle (2.50) and Three Mirrors in the John Smith's Handicap Chase (3.25).

SAMANTHA WINS STYLE 2009 AND £35,000 WORTH OF PRIZES

Samantha Marsh, 19, from Blackpool, beat a record 2,000 entrants to win the final of Style 2009, the ultimate fashion, taste and elegance competition held at Aintree today - and scooped prizes worth £35,000!

In front of Liverpool Style ambassador Coleen Rooney and compere Jeff Banks, Samantha was chosen as this year's winner after heading off competition from four other finalists, Georgina McLinden, Laura Moran, Ian Munro and Jayne Webb.

Samantha, a solicitor's receptionist who wore a striking purple outfit from Selfridges and gold shoes, said: "I came to Aintree yesterday for the first time, and didn't know about the competition. One of the organisers approached me when I arrived at the course and suggested I enter.

"To be honest I was just happy to make the last five and never expected to win."

Samantha's first task in her new role as the winner of Style 2009 is to place a £500 bet, courtesy of Totepool, on a horse of her choosing in today's John Smith's Grand National.

She was also given the keys to a brand new Citroen C-Crosser, 2.2HDi Exclusive, worth more than £25,000, and will enjoy a luxury 10-day Almond Resorts premier all-inclusive Caribbean holiday for two to Barbados or St Lucia.

Samantha said: "I drive a Mini that's a few years old and I needed a new car. I've never been to the Caribbean so I'm really looking forward to that."

She will also have a starring role in Matalan's autumn fashion campaign, take part in a photoshoot in a top London studio after being made up by a team of professional hair and make-up artists and styled by international fashion designer Jeff Banks. She will be given a set of professional photographs and all the outfits modelled, then be treated to dinner at top London restaurant The Ivy before staying at a luxury hotel.

Samantha will also receive a year's subscription to Reveal Magazine to keep up to date with the latest celebrity stories and fashion issues.

The John Smith’s People’s Race

GRIFFITHS SPARKLES IN PEOPLE’S RACE

25-year-old David Griffiths became the third winner of the John Smith’s People’s Race after driving Mith Hill to an impressive 15-length win on Aintree’s famous turf.

"That was absolutely brilliant - I can’t put it into words, it’s unbelievable. I thought they were a lot closer to me than that," said the jeweller from Droitwich who has been riding out three times a week for Ian Williams in Alvechurch.

The beaming rider continued: "He’s a brilliant horse and travelled so nicely all the way through. I’ve ridden him four or five times at Ian’s yard. I also had a few rides in point-to-points last season and I loved it so much I just thought I’d like to take it as far as I can. It was such an open race and I was hoping to be placed but I really didn’t think we’d win that easily.

"I knew I was in front but I didn’t dare look round. I thought I could hear someone just over my shoulder so I kept pushing to the line. I could hear the crowd as I was coming up the run-in and it was just brilliant."

Griffiths’ winning ride has earned £50,000 for his chosen charities the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and the County Air Ambulance.

He said: "I wanted the money to go to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund for obvious reasons as they do such good work helping jockeys who aren’t fortunate enough to still be riding. The County Air Ambulance has helped a number of people I know and has saved the life of one of my friends.

"I’ve ridden all my life and grew up hunting and Pony Clubbing but I’ve had an enormous amount of help from Richard Perham at the British Racing School who has improved my riding so much."

Trainer Ian Williams said: "David really, really wanted this. He’s put a lot of effort in and has done a lot of work on his fitness - this wasn’t just a day out for him. He’s been riding the horse at home. He’s a nice reliable ride and David gets on really well with him."

Craig Brown, who runs the Plough Inn next to Jonjo O’Neill’s Gloucestershire stable, ran on to finish second aboard Thunder Rock.

"All went as planned but I just couldn’t catch the winner. He got away from us and was given a great ride. I loved every minute of it and it was a fantastic experience to take part in the race," said Brown.