A total of 115 entries have been received for the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 5, a very significant increase of 31 on the 2013 figure. This is the highest number of Grand National entries since 2009 when 123 horses were put forward. With a record prize fund of £1 million, the Crabbie’s Grand National is by far the most valuable jump race in Europe and among the richest in the world. You can keep track of news on the big race and share your tips on our Grand National forum.
The Crabbie’s Grand National
Class 1, Grade 3, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 5, 2014. Four miles, three and a half furlongs. For seven-year-olds and upwards which, up to and including March 17, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 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 9. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including February 9 would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 9. 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. Entries closed January 28, entries revealed January 29 (115 entries). Weights revealed Tuesday, February 11. First scratchings’ deadline February 25. Second scratchings’ deadline March 18. Five-day confirmation stage March 31. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 3. Form figures supplied by Weatherby and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, January 27.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
010-501 ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) 10 Scotch Piper Syndicate Donald McCain
13/304-4 ALFIE SHERRIN 11 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
6R3-51P ALVARADO (IRE) 9 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O’Brien
0-P5325 ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 11 Cash Is King Martin Keighley
400123- AWAY WE GO (IRE) 11 O’Gorman Partnership Willie Mullins IRE
0-33412 BAILE ANRAI (IRE) 10 Massive Dan Skelton
20P-111 BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) 10 The Brushmakers Philip Hobbs
11-1PRP BATTLE GROUP 9 Jolly Boys Outing Johnny Farrelly
1/F0211- BIG SHU (IRE) 9 H Duffy/R J Robinson/Miss C M Woods Peter Maher IRE
13-2520 BOB FORD (IRE) 7 The Bob Ford Partnership Rebecca Curtis
3/F1115- BOG WARRIOR (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
11FF-16 BOSTON BOB (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
65-0510 BUCKERS BRIDGE (IRE) 8 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
42/-500P BURTON PORT (IRE) 10 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O’Neill
110-012 CANTLOW (IRE) 9 J P McManus Paul Webber
155-P03 CAPE TRIBULATION 10 David Abell Malcolm Jefferson
P-21221 CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 8 J P McManus John Kiely IRE
0400-1P CHANCE DU ROY (FR) 10 Miss I D Du Pre Philip Hobbs
1U-03U0 COLBERT STATION (IRE) 10 J P McManus Ted Walsh IRE
1P0-332 COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) 9 Nick Mustoe Emma Lavelle
F11111 DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) 8 J P McManus Martin Brassil IRE
2131-5P GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) 8 Favourites Racing Alan King
01R03/3- GOLAN WAY 10 W R B Racing 58 Tim Vaughan
3P1-250 GOONYELLA (IRE) 7 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE
1162-0P GOULANES (IRE) 8 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
2110F0 GULLIBLE GORDON (IRE) 11 Karen Bowen Peter Bowen
212P-42 HAWKES POINT 9 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
356-24P HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) 8 The Unusual Suspects Emma Lavelle
P513-35 HOME FARM (IRE) 7 Chris Jones Arthur Moore IRE
P23413- HUNT BALL (IRE) 9 Atlantic Equine Nicky Henderson
3400-10 IKORODU ROAD 11 W J Odell Matt Sheppard
P-25P43 JUNIOR 11 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe
211-F44 KATENKO (FR) 8 A Brooks Venetia Williams
P0P-553 KAUTO STONE (FR) 8 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
2-44110 KRUZHLININ (GER) 7 Paul & Clare Rooney Donald McCain
51433-0 LAST TIME D’ALBAIN (FR) 10 Fontstown Syndicate Liam Cusack IRE
16-060P LIBERTY COUNSEL (IRE) 11 Neale/Murtagh Partnership Dot Love IRE
11/PP-50 LION NA BEARNAI (IRE) 12 The Lock Syndicate Tom Gibney IRE
104F0U LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE) 8 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE
132-54U LONG RUN (FR) 9 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
1P-130P LOST GLORY (NZ) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
01631P MART LANE (IRE) 9 Jim Stewart Dr Richard Newland
5/3/1/P1/- MASSINI’S MAGUIRE (IRE) 13 Alan Peterson Tim Vaughan
4-22112 MERLIN’S WISH 9 Miss R Toppin Martin Keighley
20-2553 MERRY KING (IRE) 7 F Gillespie Jonjo O’Neill
421-010 MIDNIGHT APPEAL 9 David Sewell Alan King
121114 MINELLA FOR VALUE (IRE) 8 Maxilead Limited John Butler
12/034/-P MON PARRAIN (FR) 8 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
13P-341 MONBEG DUDE (IRE) 9 Oydunow Michael Scudamore
2U11-11 MOSSEY JOE (IRE) 11 Barry Connell Enda Bolger IRE
241-331 MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) 9 Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter Richard Lee
2-45031 MR MOONSHINE (IRE) 10 Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont, David van der Hoeven Sue Smith
1-2301P NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) 8 Richard Collins Keith Reveley
5-10661 ON HIS OWN (IRE) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
23-F3P4 ONE IN A MILAN (IRE) 9 Paul Langford Evan Williams
62P-0B2 ORPHEUS VALLEY (IRE) 11 No Horse Box Syndicate Tom Gibney IRE
0P/124-0 OUR FATHER (IRE) 8 The Ives & Johnson Families David Pipe
22/0-P50 OUT NOW (IRE) 10 Dermot Cox/Nelius Hayes Edward O’Grady IRE
1/P10//02- PANDORAMA (IRE) 11 B Mellon/P McBride/Michael D Muldoon Noel Meade IRE
P0-FP13 PETE THE FEAT (IRE) 10 G J Larby & P J Smith Charlie Longsdon
35F201 PINEAU DE RE (FR) 11 J A Provan Dr Richard Newland
0/530P-1 PLANET OF SOUND 12 Charles Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs
12-3004 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
00PU-20 QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 9 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
113/04P- QUEL ESPRIT (FR) 10 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE
PP/4-P05 QUINZ (FR) 10 Andrew Cohen Philip Hobbs
6050F-0 QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) 10 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
145-F40 QUITO DE LA ROQUE (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Colm Murphy IRE
15211-P RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 9 Dessie Hughes Dessie Hughes IRE
P023-42 REAL MILAN (IRE) 9 Diana Whateley Donald McCain
001140 RENARD (FR) 9 ROA Arkle Partnership Venetia Williams
P-56314 RINGA BAY 9 Malhi & Co. David Bridgwater
1113-22 ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
U20441 ROCKYABOYA (IRE) 10 P W Mullins Willie Mullins IRE
1-F21P2 ROI DU MEE (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
03F-000 ROMANESCO (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
114P-01 ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) 9 Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners David O’Meara
30-3626 RUBI LIGHT (FR) 9 Bill Hennessy Robbie Hennessy IRE
3000-04 SAINT ARE (FR) 8 David Fox Tim Vaughan
612-00P SAME DIFFERENCE (IRE) 8 Mrs R Vaughan Nigel Twiston-Davies
13/230-6 SEABASS (IRE) 11 Gunners Syndicate Ted Walsh IRE
121300 SERGEANT PINK (IRE) 8 Andrew Sayer Dianne Sayer
0/11220/- SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM (IRE) 10 Liam Breslin Nicky Henderson
6-5U024 SIR DU BEARN (FR) 8 Mickey Bowen Peter Bowen
203-061 SIRE COLLONGES (FR) 8 Angela Tincknell & W Tincknell Paul Nicholls
F-04654 SOLIX (FR) 8 Paul Vogt Ian Williams
B/0010-5 SOLL 9 Derrick Mossop Jo Hughes
F11110 STANDING OVATION (IRE) 7 The Bravo Partnership David Pipe
3313F6 STORM SURVIVOR (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
2/5PU-01 SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) 11 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
14406-5 SWING BILL (FR) 13 Halewood International Ltd David Pipe
0-P000P TARQUINIUS (FR) 11 Richard Gilbert Gordon Elliott IRE
606F0-1 TATENEN (FR) 10 The Stewart Family Richard Rowe
06203-0 TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 10 Conyers, O’Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis
5/4/14PP- THE PACKAGE 11 The Johnson Family David Pipe
4UP-261 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 10 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership Kim Bailey
2B6-P51 THERE’S NO PANIC (IRE) 9 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
121-153 TIDAL BAY (IRE) 13 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
111221 TONER D’OUDAIRIES (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
004-26P TOUR DES CHAMPS (FR) 7 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
62-5023 TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 12 No Dramas Partnership 1 Warren Greatrex
301-131 TRIOLO D’ALENE (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson
125010 TWIRLING MAGNET (IRE) 8 Gay Smith Jonjo O’Neill
1-24003 UNDERTHEBOARDWALK (IRE) 8 Independent Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
66/3124/- UP THE BEAT 9 Mrs A M Varmen/R J D Varmen Willie Mullins IRE
302-FU0 VESPER BELL (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
013444 VICTRIX GALE (IRE) 8 Badgers Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
2P-1262 VINTAGE STAR (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
22P52-U WALKON (FR) 9 McNeill Family Alan King
P06-52P WAYWARD PRINCE 10 John & Mrs Hilary Parrott Hilary Parrott
11P-03P WELL REFRESHED 10 Patrick Wilmott Gary Moore
3-20116 WHITE STAR LINE (IRE) 10 Exors of the late Patsy Byrne Dessie Hughes IRE
000035 WHODOYOUTHINK (IRE) 9 Redgap Partnership Oliver McKiernan IRE
6-1FF11 WRONG TURN (IRE) 8 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE
103-00P WYCK HILL (IRE) 10 J P McManus David Bridgwater
115 entries
38 Irish-trained
Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins, victorious with Hedgehunter in 2005, is responsible for eight entries – the most of any handler. They include the Graham Wylie-owned trio of On His Own (25/1 with Betfred), Prince de Beauchene (33/1), who has missed the last two renewals through injury, and Boston Bob (40/1).
Paddy Power Chase hero Rockyaboya (25/1), the lightly-raced pair of Up The Beat (40/1) and Vesper Bell (50/1), last season’s Irish Grand National runner-up Away We Go (40/1) and Quel Esprit (66/1), who was pulled up in 2013, are also engaged.
Fellow Irish handler Martin Brassil is no stranger to success in the world’s greatest chase, having sent out Numbersixvalverde to an impressive six-length victory in 2006. The Co Kildare-based handler could be represented in this year’s showpiece by Double Seven, who was last seen completing a five-timer in a Listed Chase at Wexford on October 27.
The J P McManus-owned eight-year-old recorded a two-length verdict over Spring Heeled in the Munster National over three miles at Limerick earlier the same month.
Brassil revealed: “Double Seven has got a rating now that means he will be running in either a Crabbie’s Grand National or an Irish Grand National come the spring. It’s an obvious entry to make for a horse rated 146.
“He had a break for about six weeks after Wexford and is back in training now getting ready for a spring campaign. I think the good ground and fine weather we had over the summer helped him. We also put cheekpieces on and they seem to have also made a difference.
“The Grand National is probably not as much as a jumping test now as it was when Numbersixvalverde won, but Double Seven is a grand jumper.
“He has won over two miles, two and a half miles and three miles, always finishing strongly. He will give himself every chance of staying, but it’s about getting around and keeping out of trouble.
“He is in the four-miler at Cheltenham, but I don’t know where he will run next. A bit of good ground might tempt me to run him before Aintree.”
Double Seven is a 33/1 chance with Betfred, the official betting partner of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival.
Last season’s Welsh Grand National winner Monbeg Dude (Michael Scudamore) and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup victor Triolo d’Alene are the 20/1 joint-favourites with Betfred, who go 25/1 bar.
Triolo d’Alene, winner of last year’s Topham Chase over the famous fences, is with champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who has yet to win a Crabbie’s Grand National. The Lambourn handler has also entered 2011 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run (25/1), Hunt Ball (66/1), back from America after being a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2012, Shakalakaboomboom (50/1) and Quantitativeeasing (66/1).
Out of the first six home last year, only the third Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis, 25/1) and sixth Swing Bill (David Pipe, 50/1), owned by Halewood International, parent company of the new Grand National sponsor, Crabbie’s, have entries again.
Sue Smith, who sent out the now-retired 2013 winner Auroras Encore at 66/1 for owners Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont and David van der Hoeven, relies instead on Mr Moonshine (40/1) in the same ownership and recent Peter Marsh Chase second Vintage Star (33/1), owned by Trevor Hemmings who is seeking his third Grand National winner after Hedgehunter in 2005 and Ballabriggs six years later.
Paul Nicholls secured his first Grand National victory with Neptune Collonges in 2012 – his 53rd runner in the great Aintree race – and has made seven entries this year. Enigmatic 13-year-old Tidal Bay (25/1) heads the septet following a fine third under top-weight in the Welsh National won by Mountainous (Richard Lee, 33/1) at Chepstow over Christmas. Nicholls is also responsible for Hawkes Point (25/1), who was second in the Chepstow highlight, London National winner There’s No Panic (40/1), Argento Chase runner-up Rocky Creek (25/1), Kauto Stone (40/1), Mon Parrain (40/1) and Sire Collonges (40/1)
Jonjo O’Neill, successful with Don’t Push It for principal patron J P McManus (who has 11 entries this year) in 2010, has also made seven entries, headed by the same owner’s Sunnyhillboy (33/1), beaten a nose by Neptune Collonges in 2012, Alfie Sherrin (25/1), Merry King (33/1), Burton Port (50/1), Lost Glory (66/1), Storm Survivor (66/1) and Twirling Magnet (50/1).
David Pipe, who sent out Comply Or Die to win in 2008, has six engaged, with Swing Bill joined by Badger Ales Trophy winner Standing Ovation (33/1), lightly-raced eight-year-old Our Father (33/1), Goulanes (40/1), Junior (50/1) and The Package (50/1).
Other notable entries include Scottish Grand National scorer Godsmejudge (Alan King, 25/1) and Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Same Difference (Nigel Twiston-Davies, 25/1).
Leading hunter chaser Mossey Joe (Enda Bolger, 33/1) has been entered after being purchased by Irish owner Barry Connell, while Ted Walsh, successful with Papillon in 2000, could again be represented by Colbert Station (25/1) and Seabass (33/1), the 11/2 favourite last year. Seabass, third in 2012, finished 13th under Katie Walsh last year.
Weights for the Crabbie’s Grand National are framed by the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith, and will be revealed at the annual Crabbie’s Grand National launch in London on Tuesday, February 11.
The Crabbie’s Grand National is the only handicap of the year where Smith has absolute discretion over the weights. The official can deviate from the normal handicap ratings and often does, particularly with horses high in the handicap.
Run over 30 fences and four miles, three and a half furlongs, the Aintree race is a global attraction, watched by over 600 million worldwide.
Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, said today: “We are thrilled with both the quality and quantity of entries for the 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National, which with a prize fund of £1 million is easily the richest jump race ever run outside of Japan.
“A Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Long Run, and high-class Tidal Bay are the likely top-weights and we are eagerly awaiting the weights’ announcement on February 11.”
Crabbie’s Grand National – Betfred bet: 20/1 Monbeg Dude, Triolo d’Alene; 25/1 Alfie Sherrin, Colbert Station, Godsmejudge, Hawkes Point, Katenko, Long Run, On His Own, Rocky Creek, Rockyaboya, Same Difference, Teaforthree, Tidal Bay; 33/1 Across The Bay, Alvarado, Balthazar King, Battle Group, Carlingford Lough, Chance Du Roy, Double Seven, Home Farm, Merry King, Mossey Joe, Mountainous, Our Father, Planet Of Sound, Prince De Beauchene, Raz De Maree, Roi Du Mee, Romanesco, Seabass, Soll, Standing Ovation, Sunnyhillboy, The Rainbow Hunter, Vintage Star, Well Refreshed; 40/1 Away We Go, Big Shu, Bog Warrior, Boston Bob, Buckers Bridge, Cantlow, Court By Surprise, Goulanes, Kauto Stone, Mon Parrain, Mr Moonshine, Pandorama, Rose Of The Moon, Sire Collonges, There’s No Panic, Toner d’Oudairies, Up The Beat, White Star Line, Wyck Hill; 50/1 Baile Anrai, Burton Port, Cape Tribulation, Golan Way, Goonyella, Gullible Gordon, Junior, Kruzhlinin, Last Time d’Albain, Living Next Door, Massini’s Maguire, Midnight Appeal, Night In Milan, Out Now, Pete The Feat, Pineau De Re, Quantitativeeasing, Renard, Rubi Light, Saint Are, Shakalakaboomboom, Swing Bill, Tatenen, The Package, Twirling Magnet, Undertheboardwalk, Vesper Bell, Victrix Gale, Walkon, Wayward Prince; 66/1 Highland Lodge, Hunt Ball, Ikorodu Road, Liberty Counsel, Lion Na Bearnai, Lost Glory, Mart Lane, Minella For Value, One In A Milan, Orpheus Valley, Quel Esprit, Quinz, Quiscover Fontaine, Quito De La Roque, Real Milan, Sir Du Bearn, Solix, Storm Survivor, Tarquinius, Tranquil Sea, Wrong Turn; 100/1 Any Currency, Bob Ford, Merlin’s Wish, Ringa Bay, Sergeant Pink, Tour Des Champs, Whodoyouthink.
Betfred spokesman Andrew Griffiths said: “We are delighted to be the betting partner of The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival, which culminates on Saturday, April 5, with the £1-million Crabbie’s Grand National.
“The race is the biggest betting event of the year and it will be fascinating to see how the market develops over the coming weeks.”<< Back to Racing Headlines
