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| Aintree Grand National - 10th April 2010 |
grand national 2010 / entries
State Of Play Heads Straight to Aintree
04/02/10
Evan Williams is keeping State Of Play’s powder dry ahead of the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 10, with the trainer happy to send last year’s fourth to the world’s most famous steeplechase without another run.
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The 10-year-old is one of 112 classy entries announced today for the four and half-mile showcase, which carries record prize money this year of £925,000.
State Of Play, a 33/1 chance with Aintree’s official betting partner totesport, performs best when fresh and Williams’ charge, whose only start since that game effort in defeat behind Mon Mome last year saw him pulled up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, won by Denman, at Newbury in November.
Williams revealed today: “State Of Play is doing great. He had a bit of a problem in his lumbar region after the Hennessy, which explains why he ran no sort of a race there. It was a minor problem that we sorted out, he’s in full work right now and I am very happy with him.
“We were pleased with his run in the John Smith’s Grand National last year. He jumped exceptionally well and the only mistake he made was at the one before Becher’s, second time. He got shuffled back about 12 to 15 lengths at that point but then he got back into the race quite nicely between the second last and the last.
“I could only be happy with how he jumped the fences and how he enjoyed the race.
“My plan was to go straight back there after last year’s race without a run. In a funny sort of a way, it is probably a good thing that we took him to Newbury for a day out and had that run around there.
“He will go straight to the John Smith’s Grand National now. All of the very best runs in his life have come after a long break and there is no point in running him anywhere else before the Grand National.”
The last three winners of the John Smith’s Grand National could lock horns this time around as Venetia Williams has engaged the 2009 hero Mon Mome, who is rated a 20/1 chance by totesport to become the first horse since Red Rum (1973 and 1974 wins) to record back-to-back Grand National victories. Williams’ other entries are Flintoff, part-owned by cricketer Andrew Flintoff and Officier De Reserve. Comply Or Die, runner-up last year having been victorious in 2008, is one of nine entries for trainer David Pipe. Irish handler Gordon Elliott has entered the 2007 winner Silver Birch. Elliott has also entered Backstage, last seen winning at Ffos Las in August. The John Smith’s Grand National continues to see horses returning year on year, with the 2009 renewal attracting the previous two winners, while the last time three previous winners lined up was in 2005.
My Will was third in 2009 for trainer Paul Nicholls and could again take his chance, meaning that, with Cerium and Big Fella Thanks also engaged, the first six home from that renewal have all been entered once again.
The British champion trainer is yet to taste victory in the race and has engaged five classy individuals, including Grade One winner Taranis, victorious in the Grade Two Argento Chase at Cheltenham last Saturday. Also entered from Ditcheat are totesport’s current 16/1 ante-post favourite Tricky Trickster, a winner over four miles at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Nozic and Big Fella Thanks.
The Pipe-trained contingent also includes the in-form veteran Our Vic, successful from the Charlie Longsdon-trained Palypso De Creek in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last month. Pipe has also entered last season’s Totesport Bowl winner Madison Du Berlais and Grade Two-winning novice Seven Is My Number.
With two victories in the race (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree), Nigel Twiston-Davies is the most successful current trainer. He has seven entries including last season’s Scottish Grand National victor Hello Bud, 2009 John Smith’s Topham Chase winner Irish Raptor, Ollie Magern and Rehearsal Chase hero Beat The Boys.
Trust Fund was the heroic victor in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase over the Grand National fences last year under amateur Tom Greenall and is owned by his father, Aintree’s chairman, Lord Daresbury.
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Willie Mullins, who saddled the 2005 winner Hedgehunter in five consecutive John Smith’s Grand Nationals, has 10 horses entered, more than any other trainer. The Irish champion trainer’s high-quality contingent this time could include last year’s ninth Snowy Morning and the 11th Irish Invader, as well as the up and coming Troytown Handicap chase winner Beroni, Equus Maximus, Arbor Supreme and Jayo.
L’Escargot in 1975 was the most recent John Smith’s Grand National winner to also triumph in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup but the Mouse Morris-trained War Of Attrition could bid to rewrite the record books. The resurgent 2006 Gold Cup hero advertised his well-being with victory in the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle in January.
The 38-strong Irish-trained entry also includes totesport.com Becher Chase winner Vic Venturi, as well as his Dessie Hughes-trained stablemate Black Apalachi, winner of the 2008 Becher Chase, who unseated at Becher’s Brook second time when leading in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National.
Jim Dreaper has engaged Notre Pere, winner of the Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup in April as well as the 2008 Welsh National, while other talented entries from across the Irish Sea include the Noel Meade-trained Grade One winner Casey Jones, the Tom Mullins-trained pair of Made In Taipan and Chelsea Harbour, the Colin McBratney-trained Ballyholland and the Oliver McKiernan-trained Grade One winner Follow The Plan.
The Tom Taaffe-trained quartet includes Munster National winner Treacle and the classy Cane Brake, as well as Grade Two winner Glenfinn Captain.
Jimmy Mangan saddled a famous Irish victor in Monty’s Pass (2003) and he has recent Thyestes Chase winner Whinstone Boy among two entries, while the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National runner-up King John’s Castle, trained by Arthur Moore, is also among the entries.
Francois Cottin provides the French-trained entry, Louping D’Ainay. The 11-year-old has top-class from in his homeland but has not raced since November, 2008.
Philip Hobbs has entered five horses, headed by this season’s Welsh National victor Dream Alliance, who had the Richard Lee-trained Le Beau Bai in third. Gone To Lunch was unsuited by the testing ground when pulled up that day but Jeremy Scott’s charge had finished runner-up under top-weight in last season’s Scottish Grand National.
The Henry Daly-trained Possol has landed a pair of novice hurdles this term as he prepares for Aintree, while Donald McCain has entered last year’s top-weight Cloudy Lane.
Jonjo O’Neill could run 2008 Grade One RSA Chase victor Albertas Run alongside Don’t Push It and Can’t Buy Time, while Ferdy Murphy has entered a smart pair in New Alco and Galant Nuit. The Martin Todhunter-trained Star De Mohaison and the Nicky Henderson-trained Trabolgan won the RSA Chase in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Other notable entries include the Charlie Mann-trained Air Force One, Grade Two winner Joe Lively from the Colin Tizzard yard, Hennessy Gold Cup third, Niche Market, trained by Bob Buckler, the Charles Egerton-trained Darkness and the 2009 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Character Building from the John Quinn yard.
Phil Smith, the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping, commented: “There is fantastic strength in depth to the entries for the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National.
“There are more horses rated 140 or above among the entries in this year’s race than in the previous 11 years that I have handicapped the contest.”
Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, said: “The release of the John Smith’s Grand National entries is always excitedly awaited and it is great to see that this year we have another entry packed with quality.
“It is a measure of the race’s health and stature as the world’s most famous steeplechase that we have so many Grade One winners in there including a Cheltenham Gold Cup victor.
“I think I speak for many people when I say that it is particularly thrilling to see the past three John Smith’s Grand National winners, Mon Mome, Comply Or Die and Silver Birch among the 112 entries. The public has such affection for a proper ‘Grand National’ horse and these returning heroes add an extra buzz to what is always a special occasion.
“It will be interesting to see how Phil Smith frames the weights and we now look forward to the official unveiling of them at the John Smith’s Grand National Launch on Tuesday, February 16.”
There is a maximum field of 40 for the John Smith’s Grand National.
The number of entries for the John Smith’s Grand National since 1985 have been: 2010-112; 2009-123; 2008-150; 2007-119; 2006-148; 2005-152; 2004-122; 2003-149; 2002-144, 2001-133, 2000-108, 1999-103, 1998-103, 1997-102, 1996-82, 1995-82, 1994-98, 1993-97, 1992-104, 1991-85, 1990-90, 1989-96, 1988-105, 1987-98, 1986-109 and 1985-100.
The 2010 John Smith’s Grand National meeting takes place at Aintree Racecourse from Thursday, April 8 – Saturday, April 10. Tickets and hospitality packages are still available. Visit www.aintree.co.uk for information or telephone 0844 579 3001.
Latest prices from totesport , the official betting partner of the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National meeting.
16 Tricky Trickster, 18 Black Apalachi, 20 Backstage, Big Fella Thanks, Mon Mome, Niche Market, Possol, 25 Casey Jones, Comply Or Die, Dream Alliance, Taranis, Vic Venturi, 33 Albertas Run, Ballyholland, Can't Buy Time, Character Building, Ellerslie George, Gone To Lunch, Le Beau Bai, Madison Du Berlais, Maljimar, My Will, Notre Pere, Our Vic, Seven Is My Number, Siegemaster, State Of Play, The Package, War Of Attrition, 40 Abbeybraney, Arbor Supreme, Ballyfitz, Beroni, Cerium, Cloudy Lane, Galant Nuit, Hello Bud, Irish Raptor, Joe Lively, King John's Castle, Nozic, Officier de Reserve, Palypso de Creek, Roulez Cool, Snowy Morning, 50 According To John, Ballytrim, Beat The Boys, Cane Brake, Chelsea Harbour, Coe, Dooney's Gate, Equus Maximus, Flintoff, Glenfinn Captain, Iris de Balme, Irish Invader, Kilcrea Castle, Kornati Kid, Louping d'Ainay, New Alco, Offshore Account, Oodachee, Parsons Legacy, Parsons Pistol, Pomme Tiepy, Razor Royale, Royal County Star, Silver Birch, Sizing Australia, Star de Mohaison, Trabolgan, Whinstone Boy, 66 Belon Gale, Chief Dan George, Darkness, Deutschland, Erics Charm, Follow The Plan, Jayo, Merigo, Mr Pointment, Mumbles Head, One Cool Cookie, Over The Creek, Pablo du Charmil, Piraya, Preists Leap, Treacle, Trust Fund, 100 Anothercoppercoast, Bible Lord, Boychuk, Chiaro, Conna Castle, Duers, Faasel, Kilbeggan Blade, Kings Advocate, Knowhere, Lennon, Lorum Leader, Made In Taipan, Old Benny, Ollie Magern, Pak Jack, Royal Rosa, 150 Cossack Dancer, Wee Robbie, 200 Offaly
1/4 the odds 1-2-3-4
John Smith's Grand National - totesport Specials
2/1 - Irish-trained winner of the Grand National
5/1 - Mon Mome to finish in first four
14/1 - Female-trained winner of the Grand National
THE 2010 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, £925,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 10, 2010, four miles and four furlongs. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 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 14, 2010. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 2, 2010, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances to February 14, 2010, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 14, 2010. 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. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 2, entries revealed February 3 (112 entries), weights revealed February 16, first scratchings deadline March 2, second scratchings deadline March 23. Five/six-day confirmation stage April 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 8. Form figures supplied by Wetherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, February 1.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
23/32-31 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
5/44-U33 ACCORDING TO JOHN (IRE) 10 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Richards
22506-P AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 8 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann
03-P136 ALBERTAS RUN (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
00F421 ANOTHERCOPPERCOAST (IRE)10 Eileen Queally Paul Roche IRE
330-30U ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 8 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
011231 BACKSTAGE (FR) 8 Capranny Stablestaff Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
2P-4P15 BALLYFITZ 10 F J Mills & W Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies
P6-5111 BALLYHOLLAND (IRE) 9 Cathal McGovern Colin McBratney IRE
P01-1U0 BALLYTRIM (IRE) 9 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
FP-1P1P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 9 New Club Ladies Nigel Twiston-Davies
31F4-22 BELON GALE (IRE) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
5-31110 BERONI (IRE) 8 Margaret O'Rourke Willie Mullins IRE
6FF-1FU BIBLE LORD (IRE) 9 M Tedham Andy Turnell
2U136-2 BIG FELLA THANKS 8 Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
P151U-0 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 11 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE
51-63F3 BOYCHUK (IRE) 9 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
314F-01 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
03-635P CANE BRAKE (IRE) 11 Mount Temple Racing Sydicate Tom Taaffe IRE
P15P-14 CASEY JONES (IRE) 9 Gillian Burke Noel Meade IRE
50PP/05- CERIUM (FR) 9 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
143301- CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 10 Mrs E Wright John Quinn
F0-5260 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 10 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE
53414-0 CHIARO (FR) 8 Andrew Cohen Philip Hobbs
115-300 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 10 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt
31FU-36 CLOUDY LANE 10 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr
2F0-226 COE (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
1/P002-0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 11 David Johnson David Pipe
043545 CONNA CASTLE (IRE) 11 Kings Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
253-346 COSSACK DANCER (IRE) 12 The United Front Partnership Mark Bradstock
3P///3P10- DARKNESS 11 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton
113-412 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 7 Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins IRE
201-423 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
02U-301 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 9 Thomas Gilligan Willie Mullins IRE
PUPP/-21 DREAM ALLIANCE 9 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs
111P20 DUERS (IRE) 8 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE
00-1210 ELLERSLIE GEORGE (IRE) 10 Guy Henderson Nick Mitchell
P23-15P EQUUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 10 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
02P5-01 ERIC'S CHARM (FR) 12 Martin St Quinton & Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood
0P03-40 FAASEL (IRE) 9 Hush Hush Partnership David Pipe
P63/52-P FLINTOFF (USA) 9 Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams
112130- FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) 7 Cavan Developments Bloodstock Oliver McKiernan IRE
145-261 GALANT NUIT (FR) 6 David Parry Ferdy Murphy
4211-54 GLENFINN CAPTAIN (IRE) 11 J P McManus Tom Taaffe IRE
P2-205P GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 10 Gary Lever Jeremy Scott
11-035B HELLO BUD (IRE) 12 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies
P31314/- IRIS DE BALME (FR) 10 L M Power & G D Peck Sean Curran
231110- IRISH INVADER (IRE) 9 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
U01-4U5 IRISH RAPTOR (IRE) 11 Caroline Beresford-Wylie Nigel Twiston-Davies
45-1552 JAYO (FR) 7 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE
15-5003 JOE LIVELY (IRE) 11 Richard Dimond Colin Tizzard
2P6-53P KILBEGGAN BLADE 11 Kevin Doocey & Anne Doocey Tom George
6126-23 KILCREA CASTLE (IRE) 8 M O'Driscoll Emma Lavelle
212/0-00 KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 11 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
366//4-54 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 10 Maine Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE
P-3PP46 KNOWHERE (IRE) 12 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
4116-6P KORNATI KID 8 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
1P1-013 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 7 Glass Half Full Richard Lee
36244/-6 LENNON (IRE) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
24-512P LORUM LEADER (IRE) 9 Dr Richard And Mrs L J Newland Dr Richard Newland
4/2D133- LOUPING D'AINAY (FR) 11 Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR
43-3U24 MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE) 8 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE
101-324 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 9 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe
02P-253 MALJIMAR (IRE) 10 Jane Williams Nick Williams
61021-0 MERIGO (FR) 9 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker
001-P34 MON MOME (FR) 10 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams
6P/6220- MR POINTMENT (IRE) 11 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
30-0123 MUMBLES HEAD (IRE) 9 Karen Bowen Peter Bowen
553-205 MY WILL (FR) 10 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
0/1P025/- NEW ALCO (FR) 9 D McGowan And S Murphy Ferdy Murphy
401-035 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 9 G Regan Bob Buckler
12-1F54 NOTRE PERE (FR) 9 Tilly Conway Jim Dreaper IRE
1P00-60 NOZIC (FR) 9 Sam Mcvie Paul Nicholls
2U1/P6P- OFFALY (IRE) 9 The Pole to Pole Partnership Pru Townsley
P/1r40P- OFFICIER DE RESERVE (FR) 8 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams
20-0U00 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 10 Brian Polly Charlie Swan IRE
2214/-0P OLD BENNY 9 Trevor Hemmings Alan King
0F2-305 OLLIE MAGERN 12 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
r-04205 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE
3025-05 OODACHEE 11 Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
4-61r01 OUR VIC (IRE) 12 David Johnson David Pipe
1342/-0P OVER THE CREEK 11 David Johnson David Pipe
3606-4F PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 9 Joe Moran David Pipe
0/-P220P PAK JACK (FR) 10 The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips
1P6-142 PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) 7 Alan Halsall Charlie Longsdon
4/1PF-50 PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 12 Rodney Offer Philip Hobbs
F-051FP PARSONS PISTOL (IRE) 8 R J Bagnall Noel Meade IRE
000-330 PIRAYA (FR) 7 Terry Neill David Pipe
45-0600 POMME TIEPY (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
3201-11 POSSOL (FR) 7 Neville Statham Henry Daly
100-000 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 10 John D O'Donohue/Tom O'Leary Tom O'Leary IRE
13-0124 RAZOR ROYALE (IRE) 8 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies
212//U1-2 ROULEZ COOL 7 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen
11U36U ROYAL COUNTY STAR (IRE) 11 Dunsany Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
56/-33P5 ROYAL ROSA (FR) 11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
11411P SEVEN IS MY NUMBER (IRE) 8 David Johnson David Pipe
F3-1323 SIEGEMASTER (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE
0F-26r2 SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 13 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE
456-232 SIZING AUSTRALIA (IRE) 8 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
110322 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 10 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
0240UP- STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Martin Todhunter
60/144-P STATE OF PLAY 10 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
12/14P/-1 TARANIS (FR) 9 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls
03-0231 THE PACKAGE 7 David Johnson David Pipe
1/1///P6-4 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 12 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
1/3F-116 TREACLE (IRE) 9 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE
22121-2 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 7 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
11P/11-1 TRUST FUND (IRE) 12 Lord Daresbury Richard Barber
0-21150 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 10 J P Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE
P23041 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
0/13P/-FP WEE ROBBIE 10 P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd Nick Gifford
P4F131 WHINSTONE BOY (IRE) 9 Whinstone Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
112 entries
38 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
