Racecards
17:15 Aintree
Crabbie's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1)
- 39 Runners
- Distance: 4m 2f 74y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £1,000,000 added
- Winner: £561,300
- 2nd: £211,100
- 3rd: £105,500
- 4th: £52,700
- Form 61-6221
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 165
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
in touch on inside, led 18th, headed when hit 26th, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression next, weakened and eased after last, tailed off
- Form 71-22P1
- Age 10
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 163
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leaders, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 14th
- Form 0-8432P
- Age 11
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey B J Cooper
close up on outside when fell 2nd
- Form 3783P-2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
mid-division, weakened and pulled up before 21st
- Form 535PP7
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up behind, blundered 14th, headway when blundered and unseated rider 19th
- Form 21-3455
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 156
mid-division, headway to track leaders 16th (water), driven after 3 out, went 4th next, ridden and kept on same pace from last, not reach front trio
- Form 7F4828
- Age 12
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
behind, mistake 2nd, fell heavily 15th (chair)
- Form 51F-662
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey D F O'Regan
mistakes, mid-division, lost place 6th (1st bechers), soon behind, pulled up before 21st
- Form 0P/P3-15
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey J McGrath
never better than mid-division, weakened 3 out
- Form 0P-2P40
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey A Thornton
behind, blundered 11th, pulled up before next
- Form 1F4/157
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ms N Carberry
mistake 1st, mid-division, lost place 14th, behind when tried to refuse and unseated rider 15th (chair)
- Form 43-54P2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
mistake 1st, mid-division when fell 2nd
- Form 61/15-3P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened from next
- Form 19-0413
- Age 11
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey C O'Farrell
mistake 1st, soon behind, reminders after 11th, pulled up before 21st
- Form 45-3243
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
mid-division, blundered 17th, behind from 22nd (2nd bechers)
- Form 40-50P1
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
mid-division, weakened and pulled up before 22nd (2nd bechers)
Aachen
35- Form 411209
- Age 12
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Henry Brooke
prominent, led 3rd to 16th (water), lost place 19th, behind when pulled up before 22nd (2nd bechers)
- Form 233/224
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey D N Russell
mid-division, headway and in touch on outside 22nd (2nd bechers), joined leaders after 3 out, outpaced next, no impression before last, soon weakened
- Form 0-24599
- Age 10
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Ryan Hatch
led to 3rd, remained prominent until rider lost irons after 24th (2nd canal turn), not recover, pulled up before 26th
- Form 12-3942
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer J T R Dreaper
- Jockey J J Burke
mid-division, blundered 18th, lost place and behind 25th (2nd valentines), ridden and headway under pressure after 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
- Form 9/1P-623
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
towards rear,headway 11th, chased leaders on inside when hit 26th, 6th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 8-80312
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
mid-division, mistake 10th, behind from 15th (water), never a threat
- Form P02615
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer L Wadham
- Jockey Harry Skelton
mid-division on inside, headway to track leaders 10th, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
- Form 43-1F75
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey Mark Walsh
mid-division, headway when blundered and unseated rider after 18th
- Form 11-1225
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 22nd (2nd bechers)
- Form U12-311
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey David Bass
always prominent, disputed lead from 18th, led 26th, hard pressed 2 out, ridden approaching elbow, stayed on until headed and no extra inside final 100 yards
- Form 30/72-15
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
always behind, pulled up before 27th
- Form S32254
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey D J Mullins
in touch, tracked leaders when blundered 27th, 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge approaching elbow, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yards, going away towards finish
- Form 031-092
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Bowen
always behind, weakened 2 out, tailed off
Katenko (FR)
25- Form 430/P-P0
- Age 10
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey W T Kennedy
chased leader, dropped to mid-division 17th, fell 22nd (2nd bechers)
- Form F2-85P6
- Age 13
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer D A McLoughlin
- Jockey R T Dunne
mid-division, blundered 6th (1st bechers), headway 16th (water), soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, not much room on bend after, challenged 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
- Form 157-0U6
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
mid-division, lost place when blundered badly 16th (water), soon behind, pulled up before 21st
- Form PB-4935
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ms K Walsh
mid-division, blundered 17th, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression when mistake and unseated rider after next
- Form 101/6P-7
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 1st
- Form 111F26
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey James Reveley
towards rear, headway 17th, soon tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 30/45-15
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
mid-division, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
- Form 312-671
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
with leaders, led 16th (water), mistake next, headed when hit 18th, mistake 22nd (2nd bechers), weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form F7P8-46
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
always behind, blundered 7th, (1st foinavon), tailed off when pulled up before 21st
- Form 1-77F38
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey T E Whelan
mistake 1st, prominent until blundered and unseated rider 8th (1st canal turn)
- Form 5/P1P87
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey B S Hughes
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Many Clouds almost rewrote the record books when winning this as an eight-year-old under 11st 9lb 12 months ago. It was a performance almost on a par with Red Rum's second victory over the Aintree fences and who's to say that Oliver Sherwood's smart stayer won't come out on top again as he's been laid out for the contest- he became the first National winner in many a year to win a race the following season when successful at Kelso last month. However, last year's runner-up Saint Are also arrives off the back of a recent win and is slightly better off at the weights and there are plenty of others dangers including The Druids Nephew, travelling strongly when falling four out last year, and eventual 2015 fifth Shutthefrontdoor. Silviniaco Conti is the class act having won seven Grade 1 races over the larger obstacles. He's won over the Mildmay fences here in the last two years and could blow these away if handling the obstacles and staying the trip. Holywell also has strong credentials on form having run a cracker under a big weight at the Cheltenham Festival when finishing ahead of Morning Assembly. This is his time of year and he's also won on the Mildmay course, though he wouldn't be the biggest. First Lieutenant was third in the Hennessy in November, which has been a good trial for this in the past, but was tailed off last year. Rocky Creek was fifth in 2014, ahead of Kruzhlinin, while Goonyella is a stout stayer. Willie Mullins last won the National in 2005 with Hedgehunter and his jockey Ruby Walsh rides Sir Des Champs this year. Boston Bob is attempting to follow up his defeat of stablemate On His Own in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in February. It's hard to believe that Rule The World is still a maiden over fences and what a story it would be if Mouse Morris' nine-year-old could break his duck in the world's most famous steeplechase. He has the right credentials as he was second in the 2015 Irish National and later placed behind this year's Irish National winner Rogue Angel in the Kerry National at Limerick. Often thereabouts in top-class company, he could give supporters a run for their money at decent odds if lasting home but the progressive The Last Samuri has shot up the weights recently. GALLANT OSCAR has more than a squeak for the shrewd Tony Martin, who has deliberately given him a light campaign this season. He was placed behind The Druid's Nephew at last year's Cheltenham Festival and then won a valuable handicap at Punchestown. An eye-catcher under a big weight in the Leinster National at Naas last time, this will have been his long-term target. Bishops Road was due to run in yesterday's Topham but would be interesting if getting a run from his reserve spot in this instead.
Formwatch
Many Clouds (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Jumped well, led 3rd, clear before last, easily, won at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) sft in Mar beating Unioniste (11-4) by 10l, 7 ran.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Dynaste (11-7) by 20l, 8 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, moderate 7th at 7th, progress from before 10th, 6th into straight, soon no extra and eased, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up on outside, headway approaching 10th, chased clear leader (winner) 4 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Aachen (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Ballynagour (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up behind, hampered 8th, headway when hampered again 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 7th of 22, 13 3/4l behind Empire Of Dirt (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Gilgamboa (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, outpaced before 3 out, 5th 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 10l behind Vautour (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
On His Own (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders to 7th, mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind, no danger after, 8th of 9, dist behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 11th, headway before 12th, went 4th before 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 0, 10l behind The Last Samuri (11-6) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Triolo D'Alene (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, struggling from 5 out, never on terms, 5th of 8, dist behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, headway approaching 12th, tracked leaders 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 15, 21 3/4l behind Theatre Guide (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Sir Des Champs (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, moderate 8th at 7th, reminders 8th, under pressure from 3 out, no impression straight, mistake last, no extra, 7th of 10, 32l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Holywell (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 23, 7l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon behind, pushed along after 6th, detatched next, pulled up before 5 out, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Soll 6-4 (11-2) With leader early, tracked leader until before 3rd, reminders 6 out, weakened in 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Unioniste (11-2) at Kelso 3m 2f (2) hvy in Feb.
Buywise (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 7 out, ridden to go 3rd before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Ziga Boy (10-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Boston Bob (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up, 5th halfway, slight mistake 11th, closer in 4th after 4 out, left challenging 2 out, soon ridden in 2nd, stayed on to lead before last, joined last and disputed run-in, kept on well, just prevailed at line, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb beating On His Own (11-6) by hd, 7 ran.
Aachen 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistakes 1st and 4th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Shotavodka (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Morning Assembly (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Prominent, chased front pair after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression after, lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 23, 17l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Double Ross (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Made most, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 23, dist behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Goonyella (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led and disputed early, dropped to 4th halfway, mid-division before 9th, pushed along 4 out, 6th entering straight, under pressure 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on into 2nd run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Venitien De Mai (10-3) at Naas 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Ucello Conti (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Mid-division, kept wide throughout, progress before 7th and 5th halfway, close up and mistake 3 out, pecked next and no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 6 3/4l behind My Murphy (10-5) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Unioniste (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Led 2nd until 3rd, tracked leaders, outpaced 12th, rallied before last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Many Clouds (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) sft in Mar.
Le Reve (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Led 1st, soon headed and chased leaders, progress to lead 4 out, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Theatre Guide (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Gallant Oscar (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closer in 7th entering straight, ridden in close 5th 2 out, under pressure in 4th last, no extra run-in and kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Venitien De Mai (10-3) at Naas 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Onenightinvienna (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 18l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, clear before last, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating The Druids Nephew (11-12) by 10l, 0 ran.
Kruzhlinin (GER) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, outpaced when hit next, well held after, 5th of 23, 23l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Rule The World 2-1 (11-2) Held up behind leaders, closer in 3rd 4 out, left 2nd and hampered 3 out, soon 4th, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, 4th and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Sub Lieutenant (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Just A Par (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Held up, headway approaching 11th, chased leaders 14th, ridden and went 2nd approaching 4 out, no impression on winner before 2 out, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Three Faces West (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Katenko (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 13th of 23, dist behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Vics Canvas (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, mainly rear, ridden 3 out, no impression when slightly hampered 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Boston Bob (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Black Thunder (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 16th, outpaced after 4 out, 5th and beaten next, weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Le Reve (11-4) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Ballycasey (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway when hampered 4 out, chased leaders after next, ridden and kept on same from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 22, 10 1/2l behind Empire Of Dirt (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Hadrian's Approach (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Midfield, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression, 7th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Theatre Guide (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, blundered 1th, close 4th and ridden before 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 20, 20l behind Minella Rocco (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Pendra (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders before 15th, keeping on in 3rd and every chance when hit last, weakened run-in, 5th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Saint Are (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Made all, ridden 2 out, kept on, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb beating Grandads Horse (10-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Home Farm (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4th, ridden in 3rd approaching 2 out, weakened, 6th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Great Field (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f sft in Feb.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, never reached leaders, 8th of 26, 4 1/4l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, with leader, led again 1th, headed 4 out, outpaced by front trio when left 3rd next, soon ridden, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.