3 minute read
There are 65 horses going forward after today's five-day confirmation for the £1-million Crabbies Grand National,on Saturday, April 11.
Staged over four miles, three and a half furlongs and 30 fences at Aintree, the Crabbie's Grand National is being run for the 168th time in 2015.
Shutthefrontdoor (trained by Jonjo O'Neill) is the 7/1 favourite with Betfred, official betting partner of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival, and is set to be the 20th and final Crabbie's Grand National ride for soon-to-be 20-time champion jockey A P McCoy.
The eight-year-old landed the Irish Grand National in 2014 and won on his only subsequent appearance in a graduation chase at Carlisle in November. Shutthefrontdoor is owned by J P McManus, meaning he has the same set of connections as 2010 scorer Don't Push It.
Next best at 10/1 with Betfred are last year's runner-up and cross-country specialist Balthazar King (Philip Hobbs) and Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls), who finished fifth in 2015 and landed the Grade Three BetBright Chase last time out at Kempton Park in February.
Nicholls, triumphant with Neptune Collonges in 2012, could be four-handed on Saturday with Unioniste (25/1), Rebel Rebellion (33/1) and Mon Parrain (50/1) also going forward.
Third in the betting is The Druids Nephew (Neil Mulholland, 12/1), who was victorious in the Grade Three Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. The eight-year-old will be bidding to follow in the footsteps of Seagram, who won both races in 1991.
Another contender to have won at the Cheltenham Festival is Cause Of Causes (Gordon Elliott IRE, 14/1), who landed the four-mile Toby Balding National Hunt Chase. Like Shutthefrontdoor, he will carry the famous J P McManus silks.
Heading the weights on 11st 10lb is Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty IRE, 40/1), who won the 2014 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup but ran a disappointing race when pulled-up in this year's renewal. He is bidding to become only the third horse to win both races following Golden Miller and L'Escargot.
Culloty is also responsible for Spring Heeled (20/1), who enjoyed his biggest success in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. If successful with either of his two likely starters, Culloty, who rode Bindaree to victory in the 2002 Grand National, would become the sixth person since 1900 to have both ridden and trained a Grand National winner following Algy Anthony, Tommy Carberry, Aubrey Hastings, Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter.
Last year's winner was Pineau De Re (Dr Richard Newland, 25/1), who scooted to a five-length success over Balthazar King. He is attempting to become the first horse to land back-to-back renewals of the world's greatest chase since the mighty Red Rum in 1973/1974 and will be joined by stable companion Royale Knight (25/1), who enjoyed his finest hour when taking the Scottish Borders National at Kelso in 2013 and is guaranteed a run, being number 40 on today's list.
In addition to Pineau De Re, Balthazar King and Rocky Creek, several other horses who ran well last year are set line up again including fourth home Alvarado (Fergal O'Brien, 16/1), sixth Chance Du Roy (Philip Hobbs, 40/1), seventh Monbeg Dude (33/1 Michael Scudamore) and eighth Raz De Maree (Sandra Hughes, 50/1).
Three horses have won at both the Scottish Grand National and at Aintree since the contest north of the border was transferred to Ayr in 1966. Al Co (Peter Bowen, 25/1) is aiming to be the fourth this year, having scored at Ayr in 2014, when he was a length and a half too strong for Godsmejudge (Alan King, 20/1).
David Pipe captured the 2008 renewal of the Grand National with Comply Or Die and has four aspirants remaining, headed by Soll (25/1), successful in two veterans' chases this season and last month's Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase victor The Package (33/1).
A maximum of 40 runners can line up in the Crabbie's Grand National. The final declaration stage is at 10.00am on Thursday, April 9. There is provision for up to four reserves, which can be brought into the race if any of the 40 declared runners are scratched before 9.00am on Friday, April 10.
Crabbie's Grand National - Betfred bet:
7/1 Shutthefrontdoor;
10/1 Balthazar King, Rocky Creek;
12/1 The Druids Nephew;
14/1 Cause Of Causes;
16/1 Alvarado;
20/1 Godsmejudge, Spring Heeled;
25/1 Al Co, Pineau de Re, Royale Knight, Soll, Unioniste;
33/1 Ballycasey, Court By Surprise, Dolatulo, First Lieutenant, Goonyella, Many Clouds, Monbeg Dude, Night In Milan, Rebel Rebellion, Saint Are, The Package;
40/1 Across The Bay, Chance du Roy, Corrin Wood, Gallant Oscar, Lord Windermere, Wyck Hill;
50/1 Any Currency, Broadway Buffalo, Carlito Brigante, Duke Of Lucca, Mon Parrain, Mountainous, Oscar Time, Raz de Maree, Super Duty, Vintage Star;
66/1 Alpha Victor, Baileys Concerto, Bob Ford, Gas Line Boy, Guess Again, Harry The Viking, Owega Star, Portrait King, Rigadin de Beauchene, Rubi Light, Standing Ovation, The Rainbow Hunter, Tranquil Sea;
100/1 Ballyoliver, Ely Brown, Glenquest, Ikorodu Road, Lackamon, Maggio, Mart Lane, Neptune Equester, River Choice, Rose Of The Moon, Tales Of Milan;
200/1 American Spin.
¼ 1-2-3-4. NRNB
John Baker, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses North West, is looking forward to this year's Crabbie's Grand National Festival, which will be his third in charge of the world's most famous chase since being appointed to the role in late 2012.
Baker, who is responsible for Haydock and Carlisle Racecourses as well as Aintree, is delighted with the preparations ahead of this year's meeting on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 9-11, and revealed that everything is set for another record-breaking three days.
"We are delighted with the way everything has gone and hoping for another fantastic running of the Crabbie's Grand National," said Baker.
"In terms of the layout of the National course, everything is the same. We've added an extra catching pen at fence 12 (just before the Melling Road) but, other than that, it's as you were. We've been very pleased with the course since we made the modifications and we've had a couple of cracking races since they've been introduced.
"The fact that every horse has come back safe in the last two years has been massively important. Aurora's Encore's surprise 66/1 victory (in 2013) was the perfect start following the modifications and last year's race was full of drama while fallers at the first, second and Becher's showed that the fences are still there to be jumped. Across The Bay being carried out by a loose horse in front of the stands on the first circuit also showed that the race still has the ability to surprise.
"The race this year just looks phenomenal. We've got the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere lining up as well as this season's Hennessy winner in the shape of Many Clouds. The quality of the race keeps getting better and better and there are so many stories lurking around. It's testament to the hard work that Aintree, the Jockey Club and our sponsors, Crabbie's, have put into the race and it's one of the best sporting events in the world.
"Grand National Day (Saturday, April 11) is a sell out again and around 72,000 will be heading to Aintree to watch the race so, fingers crossed, the weather will be fine so people can get out and about to watch the race."
The 2015 Crabbie's Grand National has the added spice of potentially being the last race that A P McCoy rides in, as the soon to be 20-time champion jockey has confirmed that he would more than likely retire on the spot if he were to win on board his intended mount Shutthefrontdoor, who is currently the 7/1 favourite with Aintree's official betting partner Betfred.
"It would be a tremendous story if A P managed to win," Baker remarked.
"It would be great for Aintree, great for the Crabbie's Grand National and great for A P. This year, he breaks the record for the number of rides in the race (20) and everything is in place for a fairytale ending.
"The horse does have a fair bit to prove though. OK, he's won an Irish National and won at Carlisle nicely but a lightly-raced eight-year-old going round the National course still has a mountain to climb. It all adds to the intrigue of the race.
"However, if he's still there travelling like he can travel going out on the second circuit, then people will really start to dream. You just never know though in the Crabbie's Grand National."
Baker also had encouraging news ahead of Grand Opening Day (Thursday) and Ladies' Day (Friday).
"Thursday is where we want it to be in terms of ticket sales so, hopefully, we should see a small increase in crowd size, while Ladies Day (Friday) is always fantastic and we're around 1,000-2,000 in front of where we were last year," said Baker.
"The Thursday is getting better every year. Moving the Grade One Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle from Saturday to the Thursday was a conscious decision on two fronts - it deserved to take centre stage on one of the days and always got a little bit lost on Grand National day. It now takes pride of place on Grand Opening Day and we've been rewarded with potentially three Champion Hurdlers taking each other on. It's amazing really and the first day has been slowly improving year on year, both in terms of the crowd size and the quality of racing."
Although Baker has been in the job for over two years now, the Aintree supremo admitted he still gets butterflies ahead of the big race.
"I always got an adrenaline rush ahead of the National and I don't think that will ever change," he admitted.
"Watching the race in the last two years has been a different experience as I'm looking at different things. Given the pressure we were under in terms of the safety element of the race, the first two years were all about making sure the horses came home safe and sound.
"This year though, the team and I feel we've got a hold on everything and have begun to put our own stamp on things. I've been able to enjoy myself going into this year's meeting but you can never underestimate the size and scope of the Grand National itself. I've been working in racing now for 20-odd years but looking after the National is something else in itself - I can't believe sometimes the reach that the race has.
"It's a huge event and you have to pinch yourself that you're even part of it sometimes. I've been very emotional after the past two runnings of the race. When you get back home late at night on the Saturday, you can sit back and think 'yeah - that was great', even though most times you are completely shattered!
"For me personally, being involved in the race is a dream come true. I can't get away from that. Although there's always pressure being involved in a huge sporting event like this, it is good pressure and you do feel a real responsibility for the race - that's quite a thrilling feeling. I can't explain the emotions I feel when the crowd give a huge cheer as they clear Becher's - you almost think 'yeah - the public really get it, they want this race to work and be part of their lives'."
Baker was quick to praise the efforts of broadcasters Channel 4, who will be showing the race live for the third successive year.
"It's great to be working with Crabbie's again and also Channel 4, which has thrown everything into it since starting broadcasting the race in 2013. Denise (Large) and Carl (Hicks) are extremely talented and experienced producers and it's fantastic to work with them. They get that great balance between giving hardcore racing fans exactly what they want and providing a real sense of occasion and atmosphere that befits this type of event.
"Channel 4 has also done brilliantly with the extra programming around the race and the addition of Gok Wan is a great thing for Aintree, both on Ladies Day and National day itself.
"They do things a little differently, but that's not a bad thing and, if it brings in more viewers and people who wouldn't normally watch the race, then that can only be a good thing."
The Crabbie's Grand National
Grade 3, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 11, 2015. Four miles, three and a half furlongs. For seven-year-olds and upwards which, up to and including March 23, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 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 15. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 15 would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 15. 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. Entries closed February 3, entries revealed January 4 (98 entries - 1 subsequently scratched, 1 not qualified). Weights revealed Tuesday, February 17. First scratchings' deadline March 3 (87 remained). Second scratchings' deadline March 24 (74 remained). Five-day confirmation stage April 6 (65 remain). Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 9. MAXIMUM 40 RUNNERS
|
|
Horse |
Age |
|
Wgt |
Owner |
Trainer |
|
1) |
LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) |
9 |
|
11-10 |
Dr Ronan Lambe |
Jim Culloty IRE |
|
2) |
MANY CLOUDS (IRE) |
8 |
|
11-09 |
Trevor Hemmings |
Oliver Sherwood |
|
3) |
UNIONISTE (FR) |
7 |
|
11-06 |
John Hales |
Paul Nicholls |
|
4) |
ROCKY CREEK (IRE) |
9 |
|
11-03 |
The Johnson & Stewart Families |
Paul Nicholls |
|
5) |
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) |
10 |
|
11-03 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Mouse Morris IRE |
|
6) |
BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) |
11 |
|
11-02 |
The Brushmakers |
Philip Hobbs |
|
7) |
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) |
8 |
|
11-02 |
J P McManus |
Jonjo O'Neill |
|
8) |
PINEAU DE RE (FR) |
12 |
|
11-00 |
John Provan |
Dr Richard Newland |
|
9) |
BALLYCASEY (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-13 |
Susannah Ricci |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
10) |
SPRING HEELED (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-12 |
Dr Ronan Lambe |
Jim Culloty IRE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11) |
REBEL REBELLION (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-12 |
Woodhouse, Sutton & Dobson |
Paul Nicholls |
|
12) |
DOLATULO (FR) |
8 |
|
10-11 |
Chasemore Farm |
Warren Greatrex |
|
13) |
MON PARRAIN (FR) |
9 |
|
10-11 |
John & Barbara Cotton |
Paul Nicholls |
|
14) |
CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-10 |
06 Zoo Ltd |
Karen McLintock |
|
15) |
NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-09 |
Richard Collins |
Keith Reveley |
|
16) |
RUBI LIGHT (FR) |
10 |
|
10-09 |
Bill Hennessy |
Robert Hennessy IRE |
|
17) |
THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-09 |
The Stonehenge Druids |
Neil Mulholland |
|
18) |
CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) |
7 |
|
10-09 |
J P McManus |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
19) |
GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-08 |
Favourites Racing Ltd |
Alan King |
|
20) |
AL CO (FR) |
10 |
|
10-08 |
Frank Lloyd |
Peter Bowen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21) |
MONBEG DUDE (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-07 |
Oydunow |
Michael Scudamore |
|
22) |
CORRIN WOOD (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-07 |
Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield |
Donald McCain |
|
23) |
THE RAINBOW HUNTER |
11 |
|
10-07 |
May We Never Be Found Out Partnership |
Kim Bailey |
|
24) |
SAINT ARE (FR) |
9 |
|
10-06 |
David Fox |
Tom George |
|
25) |
ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) |
11 |
|
10-06 |
Scotch Piper Syndicate |
Donald McCain |
|
26) |
TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) |
13 |
|
10-05 |
Jean & Clemmie Shipp |
Warren Greatrex |
|
27) |
OSCAR TIME (IRE) |
14 |
|
10-05 |
Robert Waley-Cohen |
Robert Waley-Cohen |
|
28) |
BOB FORD (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-04 |
The JJ Partnership |
Rebecca Curtis |
|
29) |
SUPER DUTY (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-04 |
Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden |
Ian Williams |
|
30) |
WYCK HILL (IRE) |
11 |
|
10-04 |
J P McManus |
David Bridgwater |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31) |
GAS LINE BOY (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-04 |
Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club |
Philip Hobbs |
|
32) |
CHANCE DU ROY (FR) |
11 |
|
10-04 |
Daphne Du Pre |
Philip Hobbs |
|
33) |
PORTRAIT KING (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-03 |
Marie Davis |
Maurice Phelan IRE |
|
34) |
OWEGA STAR (IRE) |
8 |
|
10-03 |
Anthony Callan/Siobhan Callan |
Peter Fahey IRE |
|
35) |
RIVER CHOICE (FR) |
12 |
|
10-03 |
Fergus Wilson |
Richard Chotard FR |
|
36) |
COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-03 |
Nick Mustoe |
Emma Lavelle |
|
37) |
ALVARADO (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-03 |
William & Angela Rucker |
Fergal O'Brien |
|
38) |
SOLL |
10 |
|
10-02 |
Derrick Mossop |
David Pipe |
|
39) |
ELY BROWN (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-02 |
Countrywide Vehicle Rentals Taxi Hire |
Charlie Longsdon |
|
40) |
ROYALE KNIGHT |
9 |
|
10-02 |
Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan |
Dr Richard Newland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41) |
BAILEYS CONCERTO (IRE) |
9 |
|
10-02 |
United Five Racing & Andrew Sayer |
Dianne Sayer |
|
42) |
DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-02 |
Lesley Field |
Philip Hobbs |
|
43) |
RAZ DE MAREE (FR) |
10 |
|
10-01 |
James Swan |
Sandra Hughes IRE |
|
44) |
THE PACKAGE |
12 |
|
10-00 |
The Johnson Family |
David Pipe |
|
45) |
BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) |
7 |
|
10-00 |
Jo Tracey |
David Pipe |
|
46) |
MAGGIO (FR) |
10 |
|
10-00 |
Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont |
Patrick Griffin IRE |
|
47) |
GUESS AGAIN (IRE) |
10 |
|
10-00 |
Malcolm Denmark |
Tony Martin IRE |
|
48) |
GOONYELLA (IRE) |
8 |
|
9-13 |
Ann & Alan Potts Partnership |
Jim Dreaper IRE |
|
49) |
GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) |
9 |
|
9-13 |
Garrett Kelly |
Tony Martin IRE |
|
50) |
VINTAGE STAR (IRE) |
9 |
|
9-13 |
Trevor Hemmings |
Sue Smith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51) |
MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) |
10 |
|
9-12 |
Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter |
Richard Lee |
|
52) |
ALPHA VICTOR (IRE) |
10 |
|
9-12 |
Denton, Kinsey, Osborne Hse, Wesley-Yates |
William Kinsey |
|
53) |
MART LANE (IRE) |
10 |
|
9-11 |
Geoff Thompson |
Sophie Leech |
|
54) |
IKORODU ROAD |
12 |
|
9-11 |
John Odell |
Graeme McPherson |
|
55) |
RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) |
10 |
|
9-09 |
Andrew Wiles |
Venetia Williams |
|
56) |
HARRY THE VIKING |
10 |
|
9-09 |
Jim Beaumont, Douglas Pryde & Quona Thomson |
Sandy Thomson |
|
57) |
ANY CURRENCY (IRE) |
12 |
|
9-09 |
Cash Is King |
Martin Keighley |
|
58) |
BALLYOLIVER |
11 |
|
9-08 |
Richard Britten-Long |
Venetia Williams |
|
59) |
GLENQUEST (IRE) |
12 |
|
9-08 |
Coolglen Syndicate |
Stuart Crawford IRE |
|
60) |
STANDING OVATION (IRE) |
8 |
|
9-07 |
The Bravo Partnership |
David Pipe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61) |
LACKAMON |
10 |
|
9-07 |
Sue Smith |
Sue Smith |
|
62) |
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) |
10 |
|
9-05 |
Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners |
David O'Meara |
|
63) |
AMERICAN SPIN |
11 |
|
9-03 |
George Collacott & R Gadd |
Luke Dace |
|
64) |
TALES OF MILAN (IRE) |
8 |
|
9-01 |
Phil Middleton |
Phil Middleton |
|
65) |
NEPTUNE EQUESTER |
12 |
|
9-00 |
Jim Beaumont |
Sandy Thomson |
|
|