Skysports.com gives a rundown on each of the runners for the 2010 John Smith's Grand National.
Skysports.com gives a rundown on each of the runners for the 2010 John Smith's Grand National
Ahead of Saturday's big race at Aintree,
skysports.com gives a rundown on each of the runners for the 2010 John Smith's Grand National.
1. MADISON DU BERLAIS
Trainer: David Pipe. Has top-class form to his name after beating Denman and finishing in the wake of Kauto Star over the last two years. Represents a yard which has won this race but hard to envisage him playing a hand under top weight.
Rating (out of 10) 4
2. MON MOME
Trainer: Venetia Williams. Last year's runaway winner is peaking at the right time and proved he is at the top of his game with a third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. No horse since the great Red Rum in 1973-4 has won consecutive Nationals, and while it is hard to see Mon Mome matching that feat, he rates as a knocking each-way bet.
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3. VIC VENTURI
Trainer: Dessie Hughes. Proved himself over the fences in the Becher Chase last November and warmed up for his return visit by beating stablemate Black Apalachi in February. Was no better than mid-division in the 2009 Irish National and has work to do.
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4. BLACK APALACHI
Trainer: Dessie Hughes. Irish raider who was tanking along when unshipping his pilot at Becher's second time round 12 months ago, and fell early the previous year. A winner over the fences having taken the 2008 Becher Chase. Sound claims but last year may have been his year.
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5. JOE LIVELY
Trainer: Colin Tizzard. Cheltenham specialist who has not won away from his favourite course since his novice days in 2007. An ideal candidate in that he jumps and has stamina to spare, but his chances would be greater if the race was at Cheltenham.
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6. DON'T PUSH IT
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill. Developing into a useful staying chaser and latest run when pulled up over hurdles at Cheltenham best ignored. A winner over the Mildmay course at the National meeting and while he may go well, he is too far on the wrong side of 11st to win.
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7. COMPLY OR DIE
Trainer: David Pipe. Provided his trainer with a Grand National win in just his second year in charge of Pond House when taking this in 2008. Ran his only decent race since when second last year. Loves the fences and another bold show is possible but a minor placing the best he can hope for.
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8. TRICKY TRICKSTER
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Finished strongly to pip Niche Market at Newbury but since fluffed his lines in the Gold Cup. Changed hands for big money last summer after Cheltenham Festival win and was bought with the National in mind. However, passed over by Ruby Walsh and this inexperienced youngster has to bounce back from his trouncing at Cheltenham.
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9. NICHE MARKET
Trainer: Bob Buckler. Gave his West Country trainer a day to remember when landing the Irish National last spring. Proved that was no fluke with third behind Denman in the Hennessy and by almost taking the Aon at Newbury. Is 16lb higher than his Fairyhouse win but this race has been the plan all along and he can make the frame.
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10. MADE IN TAIPAN
Trainer: Tom Mullins. Has solid Grade One form to his name in Ireland and left Cheltenham blip behind when chasing home Glencove Marina latest. Takes a massive step up in trip and hard to see him lasting it out.
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11. DREAM ALLIANCE
Trainer: Philip Hobbs. Returned from injury to prove a dream for his modest owner-breeders by taking this season's Welsh National. The handicapper wasn't too hard with just 9lb rise in the weights, but since disappointed in heavy ground at Haydock. Not the most consistent having failed to finish in five of his last seven starts and he isn't one to rely on.
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12. CLOUDY LANE
Trainer: Donald McCain. This family know more than most how to prepare one for the National. Slipping down the weights but not shown enough this year to suggest he is up to the task and will do well to repeat his sixth of 2008.
4.
13. NOZIC
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. One-time useful sort but not at his best this season and readily passed over despite assistance from last year's winning rider Liam Treadwell.
2
14. MY WILL
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Last year's third returns off a 2lb lower mark. However, his prep run in this year's Gold Cup was not as encouraging as 12 months ago and jumping can be sloppy.
4
15. PABLO DU CHARMIL
Trainer: David Pipe. His only run in the last 11 months resulted in a fall at Cheltenham and this two-mile specialist has a mountain to climb.
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16. BALLYHOLLAND
Trainer: Colin McBratney. The Galway Plate winner has looked progressive but has questions to answer over the trip, and was put in his place over three miles by Backstage last May. Quietly fancied by his small yard to go well and his jumping will stand him in good stead.
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17. BACKSTAGE
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. A good-ground lover who had the National nominated as his number one target after bounding away to win a decent heat at Ffos Las in August. Trainer has campaigned him conservatively since and latest effort on heavy ground can be overlooked. Had a sighter of the fences when eighth in last year's Fox Hunters' and has an ideal weight so huge run expected, despite just two of his age group winning in the last 20 years.
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18. BEAT THE BOYS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. His Rehearsal Chase win does not read well in the context of this race and after failing to complete subsequently is unlikely to provide his trainer with a third National win.
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19. PREISTS LEAP
Trainer: Thomas O'Leary. Dual Thyestes Chase winner but well held when 14th in the National last year and a similar performance is expected from the mudlark.
2
20. SNOWY MORNING
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Almost back to the same mark as when a close third in this two years ago and heads to Liverpool in fine form after consistent efforts over trips short of his best. Not in great heart last season so may not have given true running when down the field in ninth and much better expected this time from an attractive-looking weight.
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21. CAN'T BUY TIME
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill. Fell in the race just past the halfway stage last year but is well suited by a test of stamina. However, jumping errors have contributed to two of his defeats this term and that has to be a big worry over these fences.
622. BIG FELLA THANKS
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Could be the horse to provide the champion trainer with a first Grand National win after sending out 44 previous losers. Good enough to finish sixth last year as a novice on just his seventh start over jumps. Warmed up with an eyecatching win at Newbury, the choice of Ruby Walsh and deserves his position as market leader.
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23. STATE OF PLAY
Trainer: Evan Williams. Best fresh so absence since November no drawback and races off a mark 5lb lower than when fourth last spring. However, made errors on that occasion and pulled up in the Hennessy - although he did suffer an injury. Weighted to go well but best days may be behind him.
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24. CHARACTER BUILDING
Trainer: John Quinn. One of the leading contenders in 2009 only for injury to rule him out days before the race. Not been in the same form in two starts this term and not hard to look elsewhere.
4
25. ELLERSLIE GEORGE
Trainer: Nick Mitchell. Helped complete a memorable day for the trainer at Wincanton last November but beaten a long way in attempts at both the Topham and Becher Chases and even a career-best effort won't be good enough.
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26. ERIC'S CHARM
Trainer: Oliver Sherwood. Sandown specialist who proved he can also act left-handed when landing a veteran's chase at Newbury in February. Has a touch of class, jumps and stays well and there are far worse long shots.
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27. KING JOHNS CASTLE
Trainer: Arthur Moore. Ran a cracker to chase home Comply Or Die in this two years ago. Injury prevented him from returning last year and he has shown little since then to recommend him.
4
28. CONNA CASTLE
Trainer: Jimmy Mangan. Trainer won the National in 2003 with Monty's Pass and it is hard to envisage a second win going his way unless the marathon trip unlocks hidden potential in his latest contender.
4
29. BALLYFITZ
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Has flipped between hurdling and chasing this year, with mixed results. Jumping errors over fences has to be of concern as they cost him any chance in the Hennessy and there is no room for mistakes here.
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30. OLLIE MAGERN
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Game front-runner who saves his best for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby every October. Failed in the National last year when falling and lacks the size and scope to make an impact.
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31. ARBOR SUPREME
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Below-par run in the Irish National last year apart, he has the credentials to be a major player. Versatile regarding ground, he has winning form over marathon trips and is at the right end of the handicap.
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32. MALJIMAR
Trainer: Nick Williams. Unlucky loser at the Cheltenham Festival last year and not seen since December. Can make the odd mistake and petrol tank could be running on empty at the business end.
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33. THE PACKAGE
Trainer: David Pipe. Extremely progressive in his four starts over fences this term, culminating with his staying-on second in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham. Does not lack experience over jumps with eight starts over the bigger obstacles, but no seven-year-old has won the race since 1940 and this may come a year too soon.
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34. PIRAYA
Trainer: David Pipe. French import who finally got off the mark for new connections at the ninth attempt earlier this year. Best form at much shorter so it will be a shock to see him last home.
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35. IRISH RAPTOR
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. A past winner of the Topham over the giant fences but failed to stay over an extreme trip at Sandown before Christmas and passed over on that count.
3
36. CERIUM
Trainer: Paul Murphy. Defied the critics to chase home Mon Mome and finish fifth 12 months ago. Well beaten in the Gold Cup on sole run since and very much a brave choice, despite his course form.
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37. PALYPSO DE CREEK
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon. Only four runs since joining current trainer from France. Showed promise when runner-up at Haydock but well-beaten fourth in the Becher demonstrates improvement is needed.
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38. HELLO BUD
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Last year's Scottish National winner but bar one outing at Cheltenham he has shown very little this term and can be readily passed over.
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39. FLINTOFF
Trainer: Venetia Williams. Represents last year's winning trainer but yet to run since returning to her care earlier in the year. Has some useful staying form to his name and no forlorn hope if produced fit and well.
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40. ROYAL ROSA
Trainer: Howard Johnson. Thought of as a Gold Cup contender in his early days before injury intervened. Not a forlorn hope for a place at a massive price after staying on well for third in the Becher behind Vic Venturi, but not jumping out as a win prospect.
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