Big names among 98 in Crabbie's Grand National entries
Wednesday 4 February 2015 17:05, UK
Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere and last year's Aintree winner Pineau De Re star among 98 entries for the Crabbie's Grand National on April 11.
The Jim Culloty-trained Lord Windermere could bid to become the first horse since L'Escargot and only the third horse ever to win the Gold Cup and Grand National.
L'Escargot won the Cheltenham showpiece in 1970 and 1971 and then denied Red Rum a hat-trick of wins at Aintree in 1975. Golden Miller won both races in 1934.
Culloty, who won the National as a jockey aboard Bindaree in 2002, has also entered Spring Heeled, winner of the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last March.
Dr Richard Newland's Pineau De Re has failed to sparkle in two starts over hurdles this season, but remains a major contender for top honours on Merseyside.
Alvarado was fourth in last year's renewal and although he has not been seen since, trainer Fergal O'Brien is looking forward to another crack at the world's most famous steeplechase.
O'Brien said: "Alvarado put his heart and soul into the National last year and he was a bit tired when he came back, so we gave him a long break.
"He has had no real problems - just a couple of niggly things - and the weather has conspired against us, which is why he hasn't run yet.
"Aintree is plan A and we will work back from that. There is a veterans' chase at Doncaster in the middle of February or there is another race at Warwick a week later. The plan would be to have one run around that time and then go straight to Aintree.
"I think he can do better than he did last year. I don't think he would have won as the winner won very well, but he did not settle for a long time during the race and, consequently, Paul (Moloney) had to have him a long way back."
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has seven entries, the most of any handler, headlined by the Grade One-placed pair of Rocky Creek and Sam Winner along with leading ante-post fancy Unioniste.
Willie Mullins saddled Hedgehunter to victory in 2005 and accounts for four of the 25 Irish-trained entries, with his possibles including 2013 National Hunt Chase winner Back In Focus and Boston Bob.
Other major hopes include last year's runner-up Balthazar King, Hennessy Gold Cup winner Many Clouds and Irish Grand National victor Shutthefrontdoor.
The 14-year-old Aintree specialist Oscar Time is also on the list.
A tilt at the race is under serious consideration for Bob Ford following his runaway victory in the Ffos Las mud.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old made virtually every yard of the running in the three-and-a-half-mile West Wales National and looked set to finish alone when nearest pursuer Gorgehous Lliege appeared to be pulled up before the final fence.
The latter eventually completed, but was a distance behind Bob Ford, whose 12lb rise will significantly improve his chances of getting a run at Aintree on April 11.
Curtis said: "I thought he'd be a bit more tired than he was, actually. He's come out of the race really well.
"It was a very impressive performance. I think the jockey (Paul Townend) got on particularly well with him and he settled well, which helped him get the trip.
"If he'd been the only finisher and had been scrubbed along at the end, I'd have said going up so much in the weights was harsh, but when you look at the way he did it I suppose it's probably fair.
"We wouldn't rule out the National, so with that in mind, it doesn't bother me too much as if you're rated around 140 as you should get in on around bottom weight."
Bob Ford could first stop off at Uttoxeter at the end of Cheltenham Festival week.
"We haven't made any definite plans, but he could go for the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in the middle of March. The ground is usually soft there, so that race could suit him well," said Curtis.
The Welsh trainer has also entered Teaforthree in the National, a horse who finished third in 2013 and unseated his rider when joint-favourite last April.
The 11-year-old has not been seen since and has been pencilled in for a possible tilt for the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham next month, but faces a race against time to qualify.
Curtis said: "He's fine, but I wouldn't want to run a horse coming back from injury on very heavy ground.
"He needs to finish first or second in two hunter chases before the end of February to qualify for Cheltenham, so we'll have to see what happens."
John Baker, regional director of The Jockey Club North West, said: "We are delighted with the 98 entries received for the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National.
"It is another bumper entry with many great stories lying in wait. A Betfred Gold Cup winner and this season's Hennessy winner, plus last year's Grand National hero and this season's Becher Chase winner are all engaged and so it goes on.
"We all now eagerly await Phil Smith's verdict on February 17 when the weights are revealed."
Horse | Age | Owner | Trainer |
ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) | 11 | Scotch Piper Syndicate | Donald McCain |
AL CO (FR) | 10 | Frank Lloyd | Peter Bowen |
ALDERWOOD (IRE) | 11 | J P McManus | Thomas Mullins IRE |
ALPHA VICTOR (IRE) | 10 | Denton, Kinsey, Osborne Hse, Wesley-Yates | William Kinsey |
ALVARADO (IRE) | 10 | William & Angela Rucker | Fergal O'Brien |
AMERICAN SPIN | 11 | George Collacott & R Gadd | Luke Dace |
ANY CURRENCY (IRE) | 12 | Cash Is King | Martin Keighley |
BACK IN FOCUS (IRE) | 10 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
BAILEYS CONCERTO (IRE) | 9 | United Five Racing & Andrew Sayer | Dianne Sayer |
BALLYCASEY (IRE) | 8 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
BALLYOLIVER | 11 | Richard Britten-Long | Venetia Williams |
BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) | 11 | The Brushmakers | Philip Hobbs |
BENVOLIO (IRE) | 8 | Patricia Thompson | Paul Nicholls |
BOB FORD (IRE) | 8 | The Bob Ford Partnership | Rebecca Curtis |
BOSTON BOB (IRE) | 10 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) | 7 | Jo Tracey | David Pipe |
BUDDY BOLERO (IRE) | 9 | Malcolm Denmark | Tony Martin IRE |
BURTON PORT (IRE) | 11 | Trevor Hemmings | Jonjo O'Neill |
CAPPA BLEU (IRE) | 13 | William & Angela Rucker | Evan Williams |
CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) | 9 | J P McManus | John Kiely IRE |
CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) | 9 | 06 Zoo Ltd | Karen McLintock |
CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) | 7 | J P McManus | Gordon Elliott IRE |
CEDRE BLEU (FR) | 8 | Tangledupinblue | Charlie Mann |
CHANCE DU ROY (FR) | 11 | Daphne Du Pre | Philip Hobbs |
CORRIN WOOD (IRE) | 8 | Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield | Donald McCain |
COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) | 10 | Nick Mustoe | Emma Lavelle |
DOLATULO (FR) | 8 | Chasemore Farm | Warren Greatrex |
DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) | 9 | Options O Syndicate | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE) | 10 | Lesley Field | Philip Hobbs |
ELY BROWN (IRE) | 10 | Countrywide Vehicle Rentals Taxi Hire | Charlie Longsdon |
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Mouse Morris IRE |
GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) | 9 | Garrett Kelly | Tony Martin IRE |
GAS LINE BOY (IRE) | 9 | Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club | Philip Hobbs |
GLENQUEST (IRE) | 12 | Coolglen Syndicate | Stuart Crawford IRE |
GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) | 9 | Favourites Racing | Alan King |
GOONYELLA (IRE) | 8 | Ann & Alan Potts Partnership | Jim Dreaper IRE |
GREEN FLAG (IRE) | 8 | John Adam | Lucinda Russell |
GUESS AGAIN (IRE) | 10 | Malcolm Denmark | Tony Martin IRE |
HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) | 8 | Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes | Nicky Henderson |
HARRY THE VIKING | 10 | Jim Beaumont, Douglas Pryde & Quona Thomson | Sandy Thomson |
HOME FARM (IRE) | 8 | Chris Jones | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
IKORODU ROAD | 12 | John Odell | Graeme McPherson |
KATENKO (FR) | 9 | Andrew Brooks | Venetia Williams |
KRUZHLININ (GER) | 8 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Donald McCain |
LACKAMON | 10 | Sue Smith | Sue Smith |
LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE) | 9 | John Breslin | Tony Martin IRE |
LOCH BA (IRE) | 9 | Peter Taplin, Susan Bunney & Partners | Mick Channon |
LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) | 9 | Dr Ronan Lambe | Jim Culloty IRE |
MAGGIO (FR) | 10 | Mike Deren | Patrick Griffin IRE |
MAKE A TRACK (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
MANY CLOUDS (IRE) | 8 | Trevor Hemmings | Oliver Sherwood |
MART LANE (IRE) | 10 | Geoff Thompson | Sophie Leech |
MERRY KING (IRE) | 8 | Frank Gillespie | Jonjo O'Neill |
MON PARRAIN (FR) | 9 | John & Barbara Cotton | Paul Nicholls |
MONBEG DUDE (IRE) | 10 | Oydunow | Michael Scudamore |
MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) | 10 | Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter | Richard Lee |
MY MURPHY (IRE) | 9 | Hans Zindel | Liam Burke IRE |
NEPTUNE EQUESTER | 12 | Jim Beaumont | Sandy Thomson |
NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) | 9 | Richard Collins | Keith Reveley |
OSCAR TIME (IRE) | 14 | Robert Waley-Cohen | Robert Waley-Cohen |
OWEGA STAR (IRE) | 8 | Anthony Callan/Siobhan Callan | Peter Fahey IRE |
PINEAU DE RE (FR) | 12 | John Provan | Dr Richard Newland |
POOLE MASTER | 10 | Geoff Thompson | David Pipe |
PORTRAIT KING (IRE) | 10 | Marie Davis | Maurice Phelan IRE |
PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) | 12 | Prince & Paupers Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
QULINTON (FR) | 11 | Bob Whitby | Johnny Farrelly |
RAJDHANI EXPRESS | 8 | Robert Waley-Cohen | Nicky Henderson |
RAZ DE MAREE (FR) | 10 | James Swan | Sandra Hughes IRE |
REBEL REBELLION (IRE) | 10 | Woodhouse, Sutton & Dobson | Paul Nicholls |
RENARD (FR) | 10 | ROA Arkle Partnership | Venetia Williams |
RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) | 10 | Andrew Wiles | Venetia Williams |
RIVER CHOICE (FR) | 12 | Fergus Wilson | Richard Chotard FR |
ROCKY CREEK (IRE) | 9 | The Johnson & Stewart Families | Paul Nicholls |
ROI DU MEE (FR) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
ROLLING ACES (IRE) | 9 | David Martin, Paul Barber & Ian Fogg | Paul Nicholls |
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) | 10 | Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners | David O'Meara |
ROYALE KNIGHT | 9 | Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan | Dr Richard Newland |
RUBI LIGHT (FR) | 10 | Bill Hennessy | Robert Hennessy IRE |
SAINT ARE (FR) | 9 | David Fox | Tom George |
SAM WINNER (FR) | 8 | Angela Yeoman | Paul Nicholls |
SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) | 8 | Axom (XXXVI) | Emma Lavelle |
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) | 8 | J P McManus | Jonjo O'Neill |
SOLL | 10 | Derrick Mossop | David Pipe |
SPRING HEELED (IRE) | 8 | Dr Ronan Lambe | Jim Culloty IRE |
STANDING OVATION (IRE) | 8 | The Bravo Partnership | David Pipe |
SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) | 12 | J P McManus | Jonjo O'Neill |
SUPER DUTY (IRE) | 9 | Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden | Ian Williams |
SYDNEY PAGET (IRE) | 8 | Roger O'Byrne | Donald McCain |
TALES OF MILAN (IRE) | 8 | Phil Middleton | Phil Middleton |
TEAFORTHREE (IRE) | 11 | Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman | Rebecca Curtis |
THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) | 8 | The Stonehenge Druids | Neil Mulholland |
THE PACKAGE | 12 | The Johnson Family | David Pipe |
THE RAINBOW HUNTER | 11 | May We Never Be Found Out Partnership | Kim Bailey |
THEATRICAL STAR | 9 | Brocade Racing | Colin Tizzard |
TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) | 13 | Jean & Clemmie Shipp | Warren Greatrex |
UNIONISTE (FR) | 7 | John Hales | Paul Nicholls |
VINTAGE STAR (IRE) | 9 | Trevor Hemmings | Sue Smith |
WYCK HILL (IRE) | 11 | J P McManus | David Bridgwater |
