05.04.11 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Surface to Air Set for Lift Off

Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National may be two years later than planned for outsider Surface To Air but trainer Chris Bealby is hoping that his patience will prove a virtue.

The 10-year-old had looked a fine prospect when he completed a hat-trick by winning the Summer National at Uttoxeter in 2008, but subsequent leg problems meant that was his last appearance in public before a comeback run over hurdles at Market Rasen three weeks ago.

“It is such a shame he couldn’t have run in the 2009 race, the year after that season when he was so progressive," he said this afternoon.

“Every time he went up by 10lb, he’d go and win by ten lengths. But it wasn’t to be, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to still be involved.”

Bealby, who is based in Lincolnshire, reports Surface To Air in fine form after his outing last month, when he finished last in a three-mile handicap hurdle.

“It was just what he needed,” he said of the Samraan gelding. “It was a long time since he’d jumped in public, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

“It is a day-to-day thing with Surface To Air, but his legs were fine afterwards and since. I ride him a lot at home and he feels as good as he’s ever been.

“He’s a lovely big horse, the classic model of a chaser. He’s in very good order and although he’ll be a bit more ring-rusty than some of the others, we’ll give it a go on Saturday. It’s a race where you never know what may happen.”

Tom Messenger will have his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National on Surface To Air.

RECORD NUMBERS PRE-REGISTER FOR THE MATALAN STYLE CONTEST

A record number of people - 1,281 - and counting had pre-registered for the Matalan Style Contest at Aintree Racecourse on Ladies’ Day, Friday, April 8, 2011 by the end of this afternoon.

Those who have pre-registered and others who enter on the day will strut their raceday look in front of a panel of fashion experts for the chance to be crowned the Most Stylish Racegoer in the 2011 Matalan Style Contest.

The judges are looking for a racegoer who shows a real flair for dressing for the occasion, so the catwalk in the Matalan Style Enclosure (Red Rum Garden) on Friday, April 8 is the place to be for the chance of winning:

• £5,000 cash
• An Almond Resorts Saint Lucia holiday for two
• Feature in a Matalan photo shoot
• £500 shopping spree in Matalan
• A £500 Totepool bet
• £500 worth of Benefit treats

HORSES START TO ARRIVE FOR THE JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

Horses started to arrive today at Aintree Racecourse for the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

The first on site this year was the Sabrina Harty-trained Won In The Dark who runs in the Grade One BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle, the first race on the card on the opening day, Liverpool Day, Thursday, April 7.

Boxer Georg, trained by Willie Mullins, entered for the John Smith’s Fox Hunters, also on Thursday, and the Roger McGrath-trained Kilty Storm, another entry for the race, are the two others.

There are 160 stables available on the racecourse with further stabling at Haydock Park Racecourse.

THE 2011 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
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 field size of 40, plus 4 reserves. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, April 3. WITH CORRECT NUMBERING & ORDER OF ELIMINATION

Form  Horse    Age/Wgt  Owner   Trainer/Probable Jockey
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 & S Broughton Martin Lynch IRE/ Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
19) 10-1131 QUINZ (FR)   7-10-08 Andrew Cohen  Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson
20) 500423 NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 10-10-08 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE/Barry Geraghty

21) 2212-42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 8-10-08 Noel Glynn  Noel Glynn IRE/Davy Russell
22) 000-06P COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 12-10-08 David Johnson  David Pipe/Timmy Murphy
23) F-FF25P QUOLIBET (FR)  7-10-08 J P McManus  Jonjo O’Neill/Mark Walsh
24) 1FP10P GRAND SLAM HERO (IRE) 10-10-07 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies/Aidan Coleman
25) 6/454-P6  ROLL ALONG (IRE)  11-10-07 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies/Wayne Hutchinson
26) 0/144/P3- STATE OF PLAY  11-10-06 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams/Paul Moloney
27) 11-11P5 KING FONTAINE (IRE)  8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson/Denis O’Regan
28) U-3431U  IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-05 Westerly Breeze Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE/Leighton Aspell
29) 005P-1P HELLO BUD (IRE)  13-10-05 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies
30) P/00-11P WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 9-10-05  Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King/Robert Thornton

31) 200010 SANTA'S SON (IRE)  11-10-05 Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont Howard Johnson/Jamie Moore
32) C21-046 BLUESEA CRACKER (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus         James Motherway IRE/Andrew McNamara
33) 01050 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR)  11-10-04 Don't Tell Henry Martin Todhunter/James Reveley
34) P2/111/-0 SURFACE TO AIR  10-10-04 Tim Urry  Chris Bealby/Tom Messenger
35) P-234PP PIRAYA (FR)   8-10-04 Terry Neill  David Pipe/Johnny Farrelly
36) 6F-0P5P CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill/Richie McLernon
37) 0-30563 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn/Miss Nina Carberry
38) 15/1P/-52  ORNAIS (FR)   9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls/Nick Scholfield
39) U2U-0P2 ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus  Willie Mullins IRE/David Casey
40) 013111- OUR MONTY (IRE)  8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE/Ms Katie Walsh

41) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR)  12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/Paul Gallagher
42) 313-011 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE)  10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards/Dominic Elsworth
43) 210010 GOLDEN KITE (IRE)  9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan Adrian Maguire IRE/Shane Hassett
44) 006004 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen/???
45) 321112 PUTNEY BRIDGE  9-10-01 Louise Goldsworthy Keith Goldsworthy/???
46) 4/22-1PP  BELON GALE (IRE)  8-10-01 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/???
47) 402P-02 FAASEL (IRE)   10-10-01 Jim Ennis   David Pipe/???
48) 02043P LE BEAU BAI (FR)  8-10-01 Glass Half Full  Richard Lee/???
49) D61-0F0 MERIGO (FR)   10-10-01 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker/???
50) 6-02162 ASKTHEMASTER (IRE) 11-10-00 Carrolle Wall  Robert Tyner IRE/???

51) 11P61/0/- STARZAAN (IRE)  12-10-00 Ben Arbib  Hughie Morrison/???
52) 123-P22 GILES CROSS (IRE)  9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall/???
53) 1U0-660 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 9-10-00 Billy Moffett/R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE/???
54) 1-PP11P SAGALYRIQUE (FR)  7-9-13  Sir Robert Ogden Donald McCain/???
55) U0-6042 AMBOBO (USA)  11-9-13 Deirdre Brassil  Martin Brassil IRE/???
56) 241P64 DUERS (IRE)   9-9-13  Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE/???
57) 11120-P TOBY JUG   10-9-13 Paul & Caron Chapman & Sarah Humphrey Sarah Humphrey/???
58) 131-321 JUNIOR   8-9-12  Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe/???
59) 064260  THE SAWYER (BEL)  11-9-12 David Fear  Bob Buckler/???
60) 2613-PP GALANT NUIT (FR)  7-9-12  David Parry  Ferdy Murphy/???

61) 044522  BALLYFITZ   11-9-09 Fred & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies/???
62) F4-5365 POMME TIEPY (FR)  8-9-09  Susannah Ricci  Willie Mullins IRE/???
63) 24U344 I'MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) 8-9-09  Fred Matthews  Neil Mulholland/???
64) 116PP-P TREACLE (IRE)  10-9-04 Bjorn Nielsen  Tom Taaffe IRE/???
65) P23221  REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 10-9-02  Janet Heler  Tom George/???

The order of elimination was decided on Monday afternoon by Phil Smith, Head of Handicapping at the British Horseracing Authority.

The declared runners will be known on Thursday morning and there will be four reserves which have to be utilised by 9am on Friday morning.

65 five-day confirmations
20 Irish-trained

The nine horses who did not go forward at Monday’s five-day stage were Midnight Chase, Synchronised, Scotsirish, Notre Pere, Ballytrim, Nedzer’s Return, Frankie Figg, One Cool Cookie and Dev.