Racecards
15:45 Aintree
Martell Grand National (Class A)
- 39 Runners
- Distance: 4m 4f
- Going: Good
- Form 1F4-422
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
towards rear, struggling when fell 22nd (Bechers Brook)
- Form 41-5000
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer James Joseph Mangan
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up in touch, outpaced after 24th (Canal Turn), weakened 4 out, left remote 4th last
- Form 4P52/F-4
- Age 10
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
towards rear, brought down 6th (Bechers Brook)
- Form 660420
- Age 11
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J R Barry
in touch, blundered badly 8th (Canal Turn), reminder after 12th, ridden 17th, fell next
Kingsmark (IRE)
112- Form 24/13-36
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
towards rear, hampered 6th (Bechers Brook),outpaced halfway
- Form U3/1313
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
close up, fell 1st
- Form 161F20
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 6th (Becher's Brook)
- Form 4-35626
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A Martin
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, outpaced halfway, jumped badly right 25th (Valentines), soon tailed off
- Form 06-F216
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
towards rear, badly hampered and brought down 6th (Bechers Brook)
- Form 2555P1
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey N D Fehily
led 1st to 9th, remained close up, mistake 15th, weakening when mistake 20th, hampered and pulled up before 25th (Valentines)
Puntal (FR)
18- Form 11415U
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey D J Howard
tracked leaders, blundered badly and unseated rider 19th
- Form 000-431
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Tizzard
mid-division, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
- Form 10-2431
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Casey
close up, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and held when fell last
- Form 11P042
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey T Scudamore
in touch, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
- Form 435601
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer E O'Grady
- Jockey D N Russell
mid-division, blundered badly and unseated rider 15th (The Chair)
- Form 5/1110-2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Paul Carberry
towards rear, outpaced halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
- Form 3-342P5
- Age 12
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey G Lee
towards rear, steady headway from 19th, went 4th 4 out, staying on when left 3rd last, stayed on strongly run in to lead final 75 yards
- Form 0U0-0P0
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey R Geraghty
towards rear, outpaced halfway
- Form 6P3250
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey James Davies
in touch until refused 6th (Bechers Brook)
- Form 14-P1P1
- Age 12
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey A Dobbin
tracked leaders, pushed along after 15th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 20th
- Form 3-14521
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
in touch, fell 4th
- Form 6-0601P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer C N Allen
- Jockey Paul Moloney
soon behind, outpaced halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 2035P1
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey J Culloty
mid-division, outpaced 17th,behind when blundered and unseated rider 23rd (Foinavon)
- Form P-35336
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Mr R M P McNally
mid-division, hampered and lost place Bechers Brook, behind when pulled up before 9th
Clan Royal (FR)
132- Form 51411-1
- Age 9
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
held up towards rear, headway 17th to track leaders, blundered and rider lost whip 26th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, mistake last, headed final 75 yards, no extra
- Form 042225
- Age 11
- Weight 10-4
soon pushed along towards rear, outpaced halfway, stayed on one pace from 3 out, no impression
- Form 1/0P6-3P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, fell 6th (Bechers Brook)
Ardent Scout
42- Form 0-43440
- Age 12
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
towards rear, outpaced and hampered 22nd (Bechers Brook)
- Form 2-P1112
- Age 9
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
mid-division, headway and in touch 21st, pushed along 26th, ridden and weakened after next
- Form 121-11P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up in touch, mistake 22nd, blundered 26th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance run in, no extra towards finish
- Form 312/2U6-
- Age 10
- Weight 10-1
towards rear, blundered badly 6th (Bechers Brook), soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
- Form 000-40R
- Age 11
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
in touch, refused 6th (Bechers Brook)
Skycab (IRE)
44- Form 1-30U05
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey L P Aspell
mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 6th (Bechers Brook)
- Form FPP030
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
in touch, mistake and lost place 9th, blundered 11th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form PP/05-40
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
mid-divsion, outpaced halfway
- Form F64S6P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey J P Elliott
mid-division,hampered and fell 6th (Becher's Brook)
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The Grand National was never a lucky race for Jonjo O'Neill in his riding days, but his time may finally have arrived, as he sends out Clan Royal with a leading chance in the world's greatest steeplechase. Other well-touted runners include Jurancon II, Hedgehunter, Bindaree, David's Lad and Bear On Board, with Amberleigh House and What's Up Boys not to be ruled out either. There has been plenty of money this week for both of Jonjo's runners, Joss Naylor and Clan Royal, with the latter much preferred as he is unbeaten in two outings over the famous Aintree fences. Having proved that he can jump when landing last year's Topham, he went on to beat Amberleigh House narrowly in the Becher Chase in November and has been aimed at the National ever since. He goes well fresh, so although his stamina has to be taken on trust, the nine-year-old is expected to stay every yard as Liam Cooper holds him up help conserve enough energy for the long run-in. Apart from Bear On Board who carries 10st 1lb, Clan Royal carries least weight of all the fancied contenders and it is hard to crab his form round this unique course. One or two good judges fancy Bear On Board to run a big race but his trainer Alan King has expressed doubts about him having the class to win, and that is enough to put us off, although he does stay at least four miles. Jurancon II looked just the type for Aintree when taking the Summer National at Uttoxeter in June and bids to give Martin Pipe his second success in the race. He handles any ground, looked the part when scoring at Haydock in February and is probably better handicapped than he should be. He will be a popular choice to give champion jockey Tony McCoy a first winning ride in the big race and is one for the short-list. Hedgehunter advertised his claims when successful in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park and is a sound stayer, but strictly at the weights is held on Welsh National form by Bindaree. The latter has been more and more popular this week, as Nigel Twiston-Davies and Carl Llewellyn have both been making bullish noises about the 2002 hero who is 11b higher now. He got round last year in sixth, and the form of his Welsh National win could hardly have been better advertised by runner-up Sir Rembrandt's effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Add to that the fact that he has had a much lighter preparation, and Bindaree should make a bold bid to gain a second National. If you fancy him though, then you must also not rule out What's Up Boys, second two years ago and who is better off at the weights after that titanic struggle. The 2001 Hennessey winner has had injury problems but that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as Philip Hobbs will have a fresh horse to go to war with. David's Lad was going as well as anything in Bindaree's National until coming to grief four out, and having missed last year due to suspension is another that will line up fresher than most. Things have not gone entirely to plan for the Irish raider but he is a classy stayer and will have a top pilot in the shape of Timmy Murphy. Space forbids us from running the rule over too many more, but last year's winner Monty's Pass, like Bindaree will be bidding to become the first horse since Red Rum to win more than one National. The latter's trainer Ginger McCain reckons that Amberleigh House will be there at the finish, and he may well be, but his Becher Chase conqueror Clan Royal can foil him and the rest to take the spoils.