16.02.10 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Three share John Smith's Grand National Top Weight

Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais and Notre Pere jointly head the handicap on 11st 10lb in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National following today’s unveiling of the weights for the world’s most famous Jump race.

The John Smith’s Grand National, which will have a record £925,000 in prize money when run on Saturday, April 10, at Aintree is the only race in which the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping Phil Smith can use his discretion to determine the weight each horse will carry.

The weights were announced today in London at the Official Launch of the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National attended by connections of many of the leading contenders and such is the quality of this year’s entry that only 14 of the 111 remaining entries are not currently in the handicap.

Antepost favourite Tricky Trickster, winner of Saturday’s AON Chase at Newbury, has been allotted 11st 4lb, the same weight as the Newbury runner-up Niche Market, winner of last season’s Irish Grand National.

There are three former John Smith’s Grand National winners in the 2010 race of whom Mon Mome, who sprang a 100/1 shock last year, is the highest-weighted on 11st 7lb. He carried 11st to victory in the 2009 running, from which the first six home are all entered again.

Comply Or Die, who won the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National off 10st 9lb, has been allotted 11st 5lb this year, 1lb less than he carried when finishing second to Mon Mome last season. Silver Birch, who carried 10st 6lb to victory in 2007, has been given 10st 5lb this year.

Irish-trained raiders have enjoyed a great recent run in the John Smith’s Grand National, winning six of the last 11 renewals, and there are 38 entries bidding to add to that record this season.

Silver Birch’s trainer Gordon Elliott has aimed Backstage at the Aintree showpiece all season and the eight-year-old has been allotted 11st. Jimmy Mangan, successful in the 2003 John Smith’s Grand National with Monty’s Pass, is represented by Thyestes Handicap Chase winner Whinstone Boy (10st 4lb) and the 11-year-old Conna Castle (10st 9lb).

The 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition, trained by Mouse Morris for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, landed a Grade Two success over hurdles at Navan on Sunday and has been given 11st 1lb.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five entries as he bids to win the John Smith’s Grand National for a first time. As well as Tricky Trickster, they include Big Fella Thanks (10st 12lb), who finished sixth under 11st 1lb last year, and recent Grade Two Argento Chase winner Taranis (11st 9lb).

Other leading contenders include Welsh National winner Dream Alliance (11st 3lb), the Dessie Hughes-trained Black Apalachi (11st 6lb) and Possol (11st 3lb), who has been kept over hurdles so far this season.

Julian Thick, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, commented: “It is unprecedented to have 87 per cent of the field in the handicap for the John Smith’s Grand National and it is fantastic that such a high-class field will line up on Saturday, April 10, in what will be the most valuable Jump race ever run in Britain with £925,000 in prize money.”

For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree’s Marketing & PR Manager, on 07917 266511 or e-mail emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com or Sarah Driscoll, Marketing and PR Executive on 0151 522 2915 or email sarah.driscoll@jockeyclubracecourses.com

THE 2010 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Class 1, Grade 3, £925,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 10, 2010, 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 14, 2010. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 2, 2010, 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 14, 2010, 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 14, 2010. 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 2, entries revealed February 3 (112 entries. 1 subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 16, first scratchings deadline March 2, second scratchings deadline March 23. Five/six-day confirmation stage April 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, February 14.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

1) 03-P136 ALBERTAS RUN (IRE)  9-11-10 Trevor Hemmings  Jonjo O'Neill

2) 101-324 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 9-11-10 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe

3) 12-1F544 NOTRE PERE (FR)  9-11-10 Tilly Conway   Jim Dreaper IRE

4) 12/14P/-1 TARANIS (FR)   9-11-09 Angela Yeoman  Paul Nicholls

5) 4-61r01 OUR VIC (IRE)   12-11-08 David Johnson   David Pipe

6) 001-P34 MON MOME (FR)  10-11-07 Vida Bingham   Venetia Williams

7) P151U-0 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 11-11-06 Gerard Burke   Dessie Hughes IRE

8) 15-5003 JOE LIVELY (IRE)  11-11-06 Richard Dimond  Colin Tizzard

9) 0-21150 VIC VENTURI (IRE)  10-11-06 James Dunne   Dessie Hughes IRE

10) 1/P002-0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 11-11-05 David Johnson   David Pipe

11) 201-423 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE)  10-11-05 J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill

12) 231110- IRISH INVADER (IRE)  9-11-05 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

13) 43-3U240 MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE) 8-11-04 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE

14) 401-0352 NICHE MARKET (IRE)  9-11-04 Graham Regan   Bob Buckler

15) 22121-21 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 7-11-04 Chris Giles   Paul Nicholls

16) P15P-14 CASEY JONES (IRE)  9-11-03 Gillian Burke   Noel Meade IRE

17) 31FU-36 CLOUDY LANE  10-11-03 Trevor Hemmings  Donald McCain Jnr

18) PUPP/-21 DREAM ALLIANCE  9-11-03 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs

19) 1P00-60 NOZIC (FR)   9-11-03 Sam Mcvie   Paul Nicholls

20) 3201-11 POSSOL (FR)   7-11-03 Neville Statham  Henry Daly

21) F3-13233 SIEGEMASTER (IRE)  9-11-03 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE

22) 553-205 MY WILL (FR)   10-11-02 The Stewart Family  Paul Nicholls

23) 3606-4F PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 9-11-02 Joe Moran   David Pipe

24) r-04205 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 9-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

25) P230411 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 11-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

26) 0112313 BACKSTAGE (FR)  8-11-00 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE

27) P6-5111 BALLYHOLLAND (IRE) 9-11-00 Cathal McGovern  Colin McBratney IRE

28) FP-1P1P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 9-11-00 New Club Ladies  Nigel Twiston-Davies

29) 100-000 PREISTS LEAP (IRE)  10-11-00 John O'Donohue/Tom O'Leary Tom O'Leary IRE

30) 212//U1-2(1)(1) ROULEZ COOL  7-11-00 Robert Waley-Cohen  Robert Waley-Cohen

31) 5-31110 BERONI (IRE)   8-10-13 Margaret O'Rourke  Willie Mullins IRE

32) 314F-01 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 8-10-13 J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill

33) 1P1-0131 LE BEAU BAI (FR)  7-10-13 Glass Half Full   Richard Lee

34) 11411P SEVEN IS MY NUMBER (IRE) 8-10-13 David Johnson   David Pipe

35) 110322 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 10-10-13 Quayside Syndicate  Willie Mullins IRE

36) 22506-P3 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 8-10-12 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann

37) 2U136-2U BIG FELLA THANKS  8-10-12 Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls

38) 3P///3P10- DARKNESS   11-10-12 Lady Lloyd-Webber  Charles Egerton

39) 113-412 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 7-10-12 Allan McLuckie   Willie Mullins IRE

40) 4/2D133- LOUPING D'AINAY (FR) 11-10-12 Jean-Paul Senechal  Francois Cottin FR

41) 143301-0 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 10-10-11 Mrs E Wright   John Quinn

42) F0-5260 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 10-10-11 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE

43) 02U-301 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 9-10-11 Thomas Gilligan  Willie Mullins IRE

44) P2-205P0 GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 10-10-11 Gary Lever   Jeremy Scott

45) 4116-6P KORNATI KID   8-10-11 Diana Whateley  Philip Hobbs

46) 60/144-P STATE OF PLAY  10-10-11 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams

47) 00-1210 ELLERSLIE GEORGE (IRE) 10-10-10 Guy Henderson  Nick Mitchell

48) 112130- FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) 7-10-10 Cavan Developments Bloodstock Oliver McKiernan IRE

49) 45-1552 JAYO (FR)   7-10-10 Peter Garvey   Willie Mullins IRE

50) 11U36U ROYAL COUNTY STAR (IRE) 11-10-10 Dunsany Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

51) 2P-4P15 BALLYFITZ   10-10-09 Fred Mills & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies

52) 043545 CONNA CASTLE (IRE)  11-10-09 Kings Syndicate  Jimmy Mangan IRE

53) P23-15P EQUUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 10-10-09 Greenstar Syndicate  Willie Mullins IRE

54) 02P5-01 ERIC'S CHARM (FR)  12-10-09 Martin St Quinton & Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood

55) 212/0-00 KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 11-10-09 J P McManus   Arthur Moore IRE

56) 0F2-3054 OLLIE MAGERN  12-10-09 Roger Nicholls   Nigel Twiston-Davies

57) 330-30U ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 8-10-08 J P McManus   Willie Mullins IRE

58) 03-635P CANE BRAKE (IRE)  11-10-08 Mount Temple Racing Sydicate Tom Taaffe IRE

59) 6126-23 KILCREA CASTLE (IRE) 8-10-08 Michael O'Driscoll  Emma Lavelle

60) 36244/-66 LENNON (IRE)   10-10-08 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

61) 02P-253 MALJIMAR (IRE)  10-10-08 Jane Williams   Nick Williams

62) 0/1P025/- NEW ALCO (FR)  9-10-08 D McGowan & S Murphy Ferdy Murphy

63) 6FF-1FU0 BIBLE LORD (IRE)  9-10-07 Martin Tedham   Andy Turnell

64) U01-4U5 IRISH RAPTOR (IRE)  11-10-07 Caroline Beresford-Wylie Nigel Twiston-Davies

65) 6P/6220- MR POINTMENT (IRE)  11-10-07 Judith Wilson   Paul Murphy

66) F-051FP PARSONS PISTOL (IRE) 8-10-07 Robert Bagnall   Noel Meade IRE

67) 000-3301 PIRAYA (FR)   7-10-07 Terry Neill   David Pipe

68) 13-01240 RAZOR ROYALE (IRE)  8-10-07 Colin Cornes   Nigel Twiston-Davies

69) 03-0231 THE PACKAGE  7-10-07 David Johnson   David Pipe

70) 11-035B HELLO BUD (IRE)  12-10-06 Seamus Murphy  Nigel Twiston-Davies

71) P31314/-5 IRIS DE BALME (FR)  10-10-06 Lee Power & Geoff Peck Sean Curran

72) 1P6-142 PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) 7-10-06 Alan Halsall   Charlie Longsdon

73) 11P/11-1 TRUST FUND (IRE)  12-10-06 Lord Daresbury   Richard Barber

74) 23/32-31 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE)  9-10-05 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

75) 50PP/05- CERIUM (FR)   9-10-05 Judith Wilson   Paul Murphy

76) P63/52-P FLINTOFF (USA)  9-10-05 Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams

77) 4/1PF-50 PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 12-10-05 Rodney Offer   Philip Hobbs

78) 56/-33P5 ROYAL ROSA (FR)  11-10-05 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

79) 0F-26r2 SILVER BIRCH (IRE)  13-10-05 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE

80) 2F0-226 COE (IRE)   8-10-04 Trevor Hemmings  Sue Smith

81) 4211-544 GLENFINN CAPTAIN (IRE) 11-10-04 J P McManus   Tom Taaffe IRE

82) P-3PP46 KNOWHERE (IRE)  12-10-04 Raymond Mould  Nigel Twiston-Davies

83) 3025-056 OODACHEE   11-10-04 Modreeny Syndicate  Charlie Swan IRE

84) P4F1311 WHINSTONE BOY (IRE) 9-10-04 Whinstone Syndicate  Jimmy Mangan IRE

85) 0P03-40 FAASEL (IRE)   9-10-03 Hush Hush Partnership  David Pipe

86) 30-01233 MUMBLES HEAD (IRE) 9-10-03 Karen Bowen   Peter Bowen

87) P/1r40P- OFFICIER DE RESERVE (FR) 8-10-03 Seasons Holidays  Venetia Williams

88) 456-232 SIZING AUSTRALIA (IRE) 8-10-03 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE

89) 1/1///P6-4 TRABOLGAN (IRE)  12-10-03 Trevor Hemmings  Nicky Henderson

90) 115-300 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 10-10-02 Maurice Chapman  Jimmy Moffatt

91) 111P20 DUERS (IRE)   8-10-02 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan  Paul Magnier IRE

92) P01-1U0 BALLYTRIM (IRE)  9-10-01 Violet O'Leary   Willie Mullins IRE

93) 20-0U00 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 10-10-01 Brian Polly   Charlie Swan IRE

94) 0/-P220P PAK JACK (FR)  10-10-01 The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips

95) 51-63F3 BOYCHUK (IRE)  9-10-00 Diana Whateley  Philip Hobbs

96) 366//4-54 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 10-10-00 Maine Syndicate  Tom Taaffe IRE

97) 1/3F-116 TREACLE (IRE)  9-10-00 Bjorn Nielsen   Tom Taaffe IRE

98) 145-261 GALANT NUIT (FR)  6-9-13  David Parry   Ferdy Murphy

99) 00F421 ANOTHERCOPPERCOAST (IRE)10-9-12 Eileen Queally   Paul Roche IRE

100) 31F4-22 BELON GALE (IRE)  7-9-12  Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

101) 45-0600 POMME TIEPY (FR)  7-9-12  Susannah Ricci   Willie Mullins IRE

102) 61021-02D MERIGO (FR)   9-9-10  Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker

103) 53414-00  CHIARO (FR)   8-9-09  Andrew Cohen   Philip Hobbs

104) 2P6-53PP KILBEGGAN BLADE  11-9-09 Kevin & Anne Doocey  Tom George

105) 5/44-U335 ACCORDING TO JOHN (IRE) 10-9-08 Sir Robert Ogden  Nicky Richards

106) 24-512P0 LORUM LEADER (IRE) 9-9-07  Dr Richard & Laura Newland Dr Richard Newland

107) 2214/-0PP OLD BENNY   9-9-07  Trevor Hemmings  Alan King

108) 1342/-0PP OVER THE CREEK  11-9-04 David Johnson   David Pipe

109) 253-346 COSSACK DANCER (IRE) 12-9-01 The United Front Partnership Mark Bradstock

110) 0/13P/-FP5 WEE ROBBIE   10-9-00 P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd Nick Gifford

111) 2U1/P6P-4 OFFALY (IRE)   9-8-12  The Pole to Pole Partnership Pru Townsley

111 entries

38 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING ENTRY HAS BEEN SCRATCHED: STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) (Retired)