Grand National 2000 PreviewYoung Kenny9-12-00If it was possible to have a perfect Grand National horse then this 9yr old Bay gelding would be it. He is a real out and out staying chaser who jumps really superbly
His past record in first class chases is very good and he has won the races that many other chasers have done on their way to Aintree, his big race wins include The Greenalls Gold Cup ( a recognised National Trial ) and also the Scottish National and this year although putting up a very poor performance in the Welsh National last December he went on to beat the subsequent winner Edmond at Uttoxeter on the 5th of February. Since that race he was 4th to The Last Fling at Haydock 3 weeks later when giving the winner 9lbs but it was not the weight that was the problem that day but the hard race at Uttoxeter and the fact the ground was drying out together gave him little chance really.
The ground is the main factor in the good running of Young Kenny of his 10 career wins only 1 has been on good ground with all the remaining 9 on softer than that.
Another big factor in this race is the fact that he has to carry top weight of 12 st. Top weights in the Grand National do not have good records and horses carrying 12st have an even worse record with the last horse to do this was Red Rum in 1974 and the previous was Reynoldstown in 1936.
. Young Kenny has never run at Aintree before but has won on tracks like Haydock so I think he will take to Aintree like a natural.
Suny Bay11-11-12This Year will be Suny Bay’s Fourth running in the Grand National and on his first two occasions ran with great credit finishing twice in second position and once in 1998 carrying 12st however his run last year it has to be said was a little lack lustre and he finished 13th having made a few mistakes in running.
It would be very pleasing to see this very popular grey horse win but at the end of last year he certainly went off the boil and also put up a very poor performance behind a very smart Ever Blessed when he was pulled up in the Hennessy after making mistakes.
He has been sent hunting this year and had a comeback pipe opener in a hurdle race in March Where he finished 5th of 7 but this gives no pointers to his current well being.
Suny Bay would have a great chance again this year if he was back to his best but given his poor form it would be difficult to bet him with any confidence, and you would have to take on trust that he would put up a performance that would be up to this class now.
Escartefigue8-11-09This bay gelding is a very smart chaser indeed. However you must be careful when looking at his form figures because despite not winning a race since February 1998 when he got the better of his 7 rivals in the Martell chase that day, he has put up some fine performances since but has always found one or two too good for him. He ran a fine second to Teeton Mill in the King George in December 98 and then in the following February was again second to Florida Pearl in The Hennessy Cognac at Lepardstown.
This year he has perhaps been a little below his best but has not run very badly and so a return to winning ways would not be a total surprise. He has run in blinkers before and seems to go well with or without them . He is another horse who would like the ground to ease as his 6 wins have all come on good or softer and another point in his favour is that he is a course winner twice.
Djeddah9-11-08This is a French trained horse which I must admit I know little about. His most recent run was at Kempton Park on 26th of February when he was 5th to Gloria Victis This was a much improved run than his previous run in this country when he was 9th behind Ever Blessed in the Hennessy at Newbury where he had Young Kenny and Earthmover ahead of him.
Of his 27 runs to date he has won 5 times which is not a great win rate but his wins have come on varying going from Good/firm to soft this could be very useful should the ground turn out to be fast.
Two years ago he ran in the Martell cup at Aintree and was pulled up in that race which incidentally was won by one of his rivals in the National in the form of Escartefigue . So it may well have been that he does not like the course but I don’t think you can say that for sure. His trainer is very successful and he would not be brining this horse over here if he did not think that he had a chance so can’t be written off easily.
Bobby Jo10-11-06Last years winner, this 10 yr old Bay gelding has had a poor season so far this year running in only three hurdle races and coming 0-4-5 respectively. Last season he was given a hurdle race before he went on to win this race but he did have three chases previously without winning, it will be a great feat if he was to win again this year without the benefit of a single chase run.
Jumping is his biggest asset as in last years race in drying ground he jumped very fluently and travelled sweetly throughout the race and won the race from 10 lbs out of the handicap which is a very big feat these days, and this year perhaps has still got a racing weight at 11st 6lbs.
Despite his running solely over hurdles without luck this year it should be remembered that he is and has always been only a moderate hurdler but is a very fine chaser as his win in this race and his previous win in the Irish National proves.
So he is not without a chance despite having a stiffer task this year, also the Stats are not great for past winners, the last horse to do that was Red Rum in 1974 and 1977 but you have to go back to 1936 for the previous time there was a dual winner.
The best pointer to this horses chance may come on the day of The National itself in the betting market as last year this horse was backed from 25/1 down to 10/1 at the start and I’m sure that a big more for the horse this year will be noticed very quickly.
Listen Timmy11-11-05Listen Timmy is a very smart 11 yr old bay gelding who has been very much off the boil this season. He rounded off last season with a very fine win at this meeting when taking the John Hughes Chase and followed it up with a fine win at his favourite course of Uttoxeter in May.
This season he has been very disappointing, It started with him being pulled up at Whetherby in may on ground to fast for him where he made a few mistakes, His next race was at Haydock where he did jump better but finished 5th of 6. He then changed trainers and in his only run for his new trainer so far was pulled up at Newbury behind See More Business in February, his trainer stated after the race that he was happy with the run but this can not be seen as a good run up to this race.
Ground good or softer is a must for this horse a his six wins from 15 races have come in this ground. There is one other point to make out for this horse is that he is a New Zealand horse and won on the flat there as well as chases so he obviously has some class and NZ horses have won this race in the past in fact his owner Mr Clarke won this race with another NZ horse in 1997 ( The race that was run on a Monday after the Saturday was abandoned because of a bomb scare ) with Lord Gyllene.
The Last Fling10-11-05This 10 yr old Chestnut Gelding is a decent chaser who’s main fault seems to be his inconsistent jumping, however despite that he is a winner of 12 of his 40 runs and over all ranges of going with the exception of firm. However this year after unseating his rider on his seasonal reappearance went on to beat the smart Tullymurry Toff on his next outing at Haydock Park. His next run was a creditable 4th in the Hennessy and then a second in December before striking two victories at Haydock beating Young Kenny in the latter win. His last outing was in The Gold cup where a he put up a lack lustre performance on that day. Looking at his winning form it would seem that he runs better in small fields ( 7 of his last wins were against 7 or less ) and it has not been since Jan 96 when he won against 13 others. He has put up two previous runs at Aintree without winning but his favourite track seems to be Haydock and his is usually a good sign for Aintree. If he runs up to his best and makes no mistakes he could be in with a chance.
Stormy Passage10-11-03Stormy Passage a 10 yr old Bay Gelding is a good class of chaser who went a little off the boil last year after starting the season with a good win at Newbury beating Mr Strong Gale . This year again he put up a very good seasonal debut when coming 2nd to The Outback Way in the Murphy’s, but again has gone backwards from that run scoring a 4th and a PU subsequently. This is of course is his way of running and seems to go well when fresh and with this in mind I’m sure that this is the reason he has not run since January.
Ground in not a problem for him as he has won on all goings with the exception of Firm. He also has broke blood vessels in the past. He may not be one of the bankers but has go some ability especially after a long break , the question is, is four months a long enough break.
Blowing Wind7-11-02This 7 yr Old Bay/Brown gelding was a high class hurdler and this year has gone chasing and who in his first attempt at the bigger obstacles did not seem to take to them very well when a poor fourth in a low class chase at Newton Abbot.
His next race which was one of his three wins since he jumped much better but since has not jumped with the fluency that you would expect for a horse contesting the National. He has a tendency to jump to the right which would suggest that the left hand going around Aintree should not be a problem, however on one occasion this year he has also hung when under pressure. Another worry perhaps with the horse is that on his last start in a 3m1f race at the festival he was in contention two out but fell away quickly and gives the impression that he may not stay this marathon. He has won on good and gd/sft ground so it would not seem that he would be suited by extremes but being French bred you would expect him to handle heavy and indeed ran once in France on that ground finishing 2nd.
Red Marauder10-11-02The 10 yr old Chestnut gelding is very much unexposed having only run 11 times, and up until his last outing at Kempton when he was 6th behind Gloria Victis in the Racing Post chase he was unbeaten over fences. Last seasons highlight was his win in the First National at Ascot when he gave Chief’s song a beating, and was then not seen again because he has a Virus. After giving a good account of himself winning on his seasonal debut the one disappointment in his chasing was his last outing where he ran well below par and his jockey stated " He was very flat throughout the race ". He acts on good and soft ground and therefore is another who would like a little cut in the ground. He is one horse who could be very good but we don’t perhaps have enough history to go on with him.
Addington Boy12-11-02This Brown Gelding is a high Class Chaser, he was Fifth in last years Gold cup which was an improvement on his previous runs in the season, and he went on after making some mistakes to be fourth in the National and maybe would have been closer still if not for one of his typical mistakes at the Last fence. As stated he is prone to making the odd mistake in a race and this must always be a bit of a worry in a marathon like this.
Addington Boy has won some good races in the past including The Tripleprint Gold Cup in 1996. His last was an improvement on his two other starts this season when running 3rd to his stable mate Paris Pike in March and his trainer was said to be pleased by this run and this would have put him spot on for Aintree.
He is a horse who has won on going from Good/Firm to soft and therefore will act on any ground except perhaps heavy but he definitely shows his best on firmer going and this may have been the main factor behind his fine run in the race last year, however he is now 12 yrs old and you could not say that he will improve any this season but he is a good genuine sort who is another not without a chance of running into a place again should the ground come up good/firm.
Buck Rogers11-11-00An 11 yr old Bay Gelding Buck Rogers has been running exclusivly in Ireland, and therefore there is no racing history on the mainland. He was off the course for three years with leg trouble between 1996 and 1998 he then came back for only on hurdle race before going chasing and has been running against good opposition He has won twice in nine runnings this year beating the highly thought of Rince Ri on one occasions. He must have some class but I must admit I don’t remember seeing him run at all. He does make mistakes and this would be a worry at this unforgiving track. He seems to act on ground with give in it and has not been run on anything harder that Good/Yielding , this is probably due to his leg trouble and therefore is not one to be bet on before the day but if he takes part could he emulate Bobby Jo’s win last year?
Niki Dee10-10-03This 10 Yr old Bay Gelding had a good season last year winning 3 of his six starts and coming second twice and on one of these seconds was a very good performance in the Cathcart at Cheltenham. On his seasonal reappearance this year he won on ground that did not really suit him as it was sticky and all his other wins have been on good although he has run well on soft. He than followed up that good start with a poor run but soon put that behind him and has run very well but always seems to find one two good for him and has been second behind good horses such as Brother of Iris, Tullymurry Toff, Beau and The Last Fling. However is a slight worry in that he was pulled up at Cheltenham Last time out.
Edmond8-10-13A 8 Yr old Bay Gelding Edmond has really come of age this season because there has been a great improvement in his jumping ability such that his only defeat this year has come at the hands of Young Kenny at Uttoxeter a course where he usually does well. He is a front runner and that may put him in good stead for the National as of the horses that get around the first circuit it usually those who are well up with the pace do well. He is a dour Stayer but he must have soft ground to show his best and the Best ground that he had won on is Good/soft and any ground harder than this would put his chances back despite the racing weight that he carries of 10 st 13 lbs . He has a good strike rate ( 10 wins / 17 runs ) and looks the right type for the National and should still have some improvement in him, and I think if he gets his ground will be a real force this year.
Luzcadou7-10-13This 7 yr old Bay Gelding is lightly raced even for a 7 yr old. He missed all of last season and started this season on a low when falling in an amateur riders hurdle at Carlisle. He then ran better in another hurdle before opening his chasing career with a pair of winning runs at Ayr. His latest run was at Haydock in February where he ran very badly and was plumb last of 7 but reported to by coughing when he got back home. He is another who like cut in the ground and his wins have come on soft and heavy.
Papillon9-10-12A good class chaser this 9 Yr old Bay Gelding has sometimes not looked a touch disinterested in racing.
Although most of his running has been done in his native Ireland he has ventured across the Irish sea on a few occasions and it has to be said has not done well over here. He is also without a win this season, but in his two wins last season saw off challenges from Opera Hat and Clarion Davies . Like many Irish horse he like soft ground and his wins to date have all been on ground Yielding or softer. It would not be a total surprise for him to win but has not shown his form this year yet.
Senior El Betrutti11-10-12A Grey Gelding this big bold front running horse had a fabulous season in 1997/1998 when he won Murphys and the Tripleprint Gold Cups but since then has not shown that sort of form. He is the type to front run but seems to sulk somewhat when not being able to dominate in a race and is one who could loose interest and also his chance early on in the race. His best run this term was a second in a hurdle race at Newbury. He likes good ground and his best winning runs have come on good ground or good/firm but he has won on good/soft. The main chink in his armour I would say I that he may not get the trip as his longest winning distance so far is 3 miles and seems to be better a few furlongs below that. Also he has not won a race since Dec 97 and this must also be some concern .
Star Traveller9-10-11This leggy sparely built 9 yr old Bay Gelding is an ex Pointer who has a very good record at the start of the year with 5 runs and 5 wins. It was perhaps to much to ask of him to keep up that sort of record this season but he has won 2 of his 6 runs. He opened his account with a first class second to the very smart Ever Blessed at Chepstow when he had to give the winner 7lbs and only lost by 4lths . He likes going left handed and has hung and jumped left in the past. He is another who like to front run and he likes genuine good ground and has also won on good / soft . On his last outing he came up against the very good Marlborough at Cheltenham on what I think may be his minimum trip of 3m1f . He is another who could be anything but he comes from a stable ( Formally T.Forster ) who specialises in long distance chasing types.
Village King7-10-11Village King last season came of age as a chaser when on his 9 chases he did not come out of the frame and won 4 time straight up at the start of the season. The type who goes well first time out this Bay Gelding won first time out this season at Cheltenham but things have not quite gone to plan since, with form figures of 1 3 3 6 this season, Jumping is his forte and he jumps big and well and this must hold him in good stead especially since he has run at Aintree last season when 2nd in a good race ( although not over the national fences ) , However he jumped uncharacteristically poorly on his last outing at the Cheltenham festival. This was an exception and if you want a horse to give you all then this one should be considered as he rarely runs a bad race.
Ground conditions are not a problem for this horse as he has won on going from soft to Gd/Firm and he may just be handicapped below what he is capable of .
Call It A Day10-10-11This 10 yr Old Bay Gelding is becoming a favourite of mine as he looks like a good long distance Chaser. He won the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1998.
Last year rounded off a good year where he did not actually win a race by coming a very good third in the National .
He started this season running in trips too short for him and got left behind in his first outing and had an uncharacteristic fall on his second time out before the race started to get hot. He reappeared three weeks later and ran a poor race and was pulled up, he was then given two months off and came back and ran poorly when 5th from 6.
It would not be a surprise if he came back to his form in the Aintree marathon but you have to say he has been disappointing of late. His winning form has been on ground from Good/Soft through to Good/firm so any ground suits but he is only good these days at long distances.
Lanturn10-10-11This Irish 10 yr old Bay Gelding is very exposed in his home country, he started off the season with a win and that looked a good prep despite a few mistakes for his next run in the Galway Plate, however he was struggling when hampered and unseated his rider in that event .
He then came back and won two on the bounce but in his next race made a mistake and was soon pulled up. He looks a good horse but his tendency to make mistakes at this unforgiving track must be a worry.
He has won on all grounds from Firm to soft so any ground would suit ( actually is one of the few to have won on firm ).
Micko’s Dream8-10-10This Chestnut gelding had a good season last year and his best result was when giving the smart Rince Ri his first defeat at Navan.
This season he has won two of his 4 Outings and his only poor performance came at Leopardstown on his first outing but has come on and gone from strength to strength since. His last run was a fine win when jumping well to beat Bob Tracey and Danoli on Feb 19th and this must have put him spot on for the National. All his wins have come on soft or heavy ground and he must have these conditions to show his best.
Esprite De Cotte8-10-08Last season this ex-French trained bay gelding looked to be a touch above the average hurdler, and he looked as if he would make up into a good chaser on his debut this season when finishing 2nd under top weight. It then seemed to all go wrong as he fell next time out at Aintree ( Over the National Fences ) and then pulling up twice more on his next two runs. His last runs have been a little more encouraging but without troubling the judge.
His only win so far has come on soft and he has not run on any ground faster than good.
A young unknown and could be anything but his current form does not suggest he is good enough to win this, but he is trained by a shrewd trainer who picks up his fair share of good prizes.
Sparky Gayle10-10-08This 10 yr old Bay gelding was a good hurdler and has now grown into a fine chaser. He was once thought of as a Gold Cup horse by his connections.
His best seasons to date were probably 1997 and 1998 when he won 6 races and last year although only winning once did put up good performances in his races, however his form seemed to be fading this year but he is reported to have had a wind operation and on his last start showed some improvement on ground perhaps too sticky for him when a good second to an impressive Paris Pike . Although he has won on all goings from firm to heavy he is better with firm ground underfoot.
This horse could be in with a good chance with a good racing weight if he has come back to himself.
Feels Like Gold12-10-07This 12 yr old bay gelding last year ran a very good race in this event and jumped well and stayed up with the pack only weakening from 3 out and finished in a very respectable 5th. He is a good sound jumper whole likes softer ground so last years performance on drying ground looks even better, indeed if you add to that his fine win over the National fences in the Becher chase last November beating Him of praise, Call it a Day and Esprite De Cotte . So as a 12 yr old this will be his last chance to win this race. Twelve year olds do win this race and it may be lucky for him this year. His winning form has come on Ground good or softer so a little cut in the ground will help him.
Kendal Cavalier10-10-06This Grey Gelding has been on of my favourite horses since his very fine win in the Welsh equivalent of this race in 1998. He ran a good race in this event last year although running at the rear of the pack until hampered badly along with Earth Summit at the 22nd fence ( Bechers 2nd circuit ) When 5 horses fell or were brought down, this ruined his chance of winning but he still ran on well to finish 7th.
This season however he has been running poorly and looks as if he is very much out of sorts.
He loves a real test of stamina and would like the ground to be absolutely bottomless for the National however he will not get this ground and the early pace may catch him out this year although he has won once on good ground. If he runs up to his best form I this he will do very well this year but you have to take his well being on trust.
Ashwell Boy9-10-06This Bay gelding is a winner of 10 of his 41 races and is usually a good jumper but he seems to win the lesser events. His main problem is that he does not seem to have a turn of foot.
He has had three runs this season finishing 2nd twice before falling in October and has not been seen out since.
He is a genuine sort who has won on all goings from good/sft to Firm but he seems better when the ground is firmer rather than softer.
Lucky Town9-10-05Lucky Town is a very useful 9 yr old bay gelding. This horse is trained in Ireland but he has run over here in the mainland, last year he was a very good third to Linden’s Lotto in the Cheltenham cross country event.
He started this term running in hurdles but when moved up to chases he has been running in valuable events and although he has not yet won he has been running very creditably if always finding a few too good for him.
His two wins to date have come with little cut in the ground so an easy surface may suit him better.
Earthmover9-10-05This Chestnut Gelding was the pick of the Point to pointers and looked as if he was going to be another who would take to the top chases, Especially after being the top hunter chaser by winning the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. However after that he went completely out of form.
This season after an unimpressive run at Chepstow where he finished 5th of 9 behind Ever Blessed at Chepstow, but he then went on to Cheltenham and put up a good performance to win two hurdle races on his next two appearances. He was then sent chasing again and ran quite well on his first outing but in the Welsh National he was a little one paced in this marathon. His winning form is on ground from good to soft, and it is worth noting that he is a long way below his handicap rating of two years ago and if he fills his potential he could be a good thing but you have to take this on trust.
Hollybank Buck10-10-04This 10 yr old Bay Gelding is a former Eider Chase winner and is genuine gutsy chaser who has been tongue tied in the past. As he is Irish trained a lot of his running has been across the water in Ireland. He ran two fine races this time last year when finding Young Kenny too good in the Midlands and Scottish Nationals when he finished Third and second respectively.
This season has been one of ups and downs the ups being his good third in the Becher chase at this course in November but the lows have come since then starting with his poor show in the Welsh National where he was pulled up and his two subsequent runs have been without much credit.
He has Broken Blood vessels in the past .
Royal Predica6-10-04This Chestnut gelding is the youngest horse to run in the race this year and he is one of the French imports that his trainer M.Pipe seems to do well with. His young age is a worry despite the French horses running in chase races younger than ours.
He Started his racing in this country by running in a good chase at Ascot before being fitted with blinkers on his next start at Liverpool ( Not over the National fences) where he won very well indeed with his jockey biding his time and playing a waiting game until the final fence . His jumping then nor now is quite up to the National event yet but who knows with the M.Pipe team ?
His next 3 runs were a little disappointing but he was then fitted with a visor and his jumping was better and his fortunes took an upturn and he won two races on the bounce.
He has won on all goings from firm to heavy and definitely needs headgear to show his best but he does tend to make mistakes in his jumping.
Kingdom of Shades10-10-4A Nice looking 10 yr old Chestnut gelding is a well exposed horse and is a winner of 6 of his 27 runs. He started this season on a high by winning a small chase at Towcester, and then ran in reasonable races at Plumpton, Cheltenham and Warwick before a poor performance on his last start when making jumping errors and eventually being pulled up. His winning form comes on ground soft to heavy.
He is another who has broken blood vessels .
Trinitro9-10-03This horse from Norway is an unknown quantity but he has won the Norsk Grand National over 2 ½ Miles . Trinito is trained by M.R.Haugen Torduff Express9-10-03A nice 9 yr old bay gelding Torduff Express is not an ungenuine horse despite swishing his tail under pressure. He is a winner of 5 of his 14 races but most of his wins have come in lesser events than this, however his best performance was is when winning a good event at Ascot in Dec 98 .
He has had two runs this season and has come 3rd in both events the last being at Chepstow.
He has obviously been very much aimed at The Grand National this year and would need to step up in what he has achieved so far but as a 9 yr old and coming from a top stable this is by no means out of the question.
His winning form is on good to good/soft. and he is in the right end of the handicap .
The Gopher11-10-03The Gopher is a 11 yr old Chestnut gelding who’s form took a good step forward last season when refitted with blinkers. He is a good stayer but unusually perhaps he is also effective over the shorter trips. The key to him is that he has to be ridden aggressively to show his best. He is well exposed and has been on the go from April last season without a break until August when he was given a rest and came out again in February when he ran a distant 6th to Aghowadda Gold at Haydock on ground perhaps too soft. His final run was at Cheltenham in the William hill National Hunt cup behind the very smart Marlborough and also had Star Traveller and Senior El Betrutti in front of him.
Profluent9-10-01 This 9 yr old Chestnut gelding is another who wears headgear effectively. His form up to his winning at Whetherby when beating Cumbrian Challenge was OK but he then put in three poor races where he did not manage to finish falling twice and once being pulled up. He was then fitted with a visor and this made a good improvement and win at Whetherby again only to jump not so well in the next two races. His next run at Kempton was a good win with A.P.Mc Coy riding, But since then has gone backwards again . He will have to improve his jumping to get around here with any success. His winning form has been on ground ranging from good to firm to good to soft.Points For : Should stay Points against : Poor jumper : Poor recent form . Profluent is trained by M.D.Hammond. Mely Moss9-10-01This 9yr old Chestnut gelding after running without very much success in France in heavy ground, came over to this country after a 18 month lay off with a bit of a leg to win at Uttoxeter when he put in a very good round of jumping, on his next two outing he ran well enough without winning but on both times came in the frame.
He then again missed the whole of 98 but on his reappearance ran a very good second to Elegant Lord at Aintree in the Foxhunters over the national fences and followed that up with a fine win at Cheltenham last April.
He has not run since then and that must be a bit of a worry. His winning form is on good and good to soft .
Dark Stranger9-10-01A Nice 9 Yr old bay gelding has been in training with M.Pipe since the retirement of C.Brookes. A winner over hurdles who has taken to the chasing game and is a winner of 6 of his 14 chases. Has had a little bit of an up and down season this term being pulled up on one occasion but following up that with two wins the last coming at the Cheltenham festival where he knocked 10 seconds of the course record ( Many course records were broken this year on the fast ground ). This horse could be better than his handicap shows especially on good or good to firm ground, although he has also won on heavy ground.
Perhaps this horse is one to keep an eye on if there is any movement in the market for him or if A.P.Mc Coy decides this is the one for him .
Mister Creek9-10-00A winner of five out of 8 races in France this Chestnut gelding is yet to win a race for M.Pipe since coming to this country. This is very unusual for M.Pipe as he seems to do well with these imports. His best two runs were probably under top weights of 12 st and 12st 2 lbs in his first two hurdle races . However his 3rd to Ever Blessed at Chepstow must also be taken into consideration but in that 3 mile race he did not seem to get home.
In his last two races over 3 m and 3m2 he has fallen and been pulled up so it may be that he will not stay this marathon trip but he has now been rested since that last race in December.
Choisty10-10-00A 10 yr old Chestnut gelding Choisty is a good chaser but on his two runs in the National so far he has not got round, in 1998 he fell at the 6th fence and last year after sweating up before the race got brought down at Bechers on the second circuit.
He is a winner of 7 of his 31 races and his wins have come on going ranging from Good to soft.
He is a genuine horse who is not totally without a chance.
His best win to date was at Warwick in January when beating Golden Drum but this is a long way below the class of the National.
Forestal8-9-12A useful 8 yr old Bay gelding Forestal was a reasonable hurdler before turning to chasing. Still young enough to have some improvement his best run to date was probably in 1998 when beating Master Boston giving him 3lbs.
He is a winner of 7 of his 32 races and his wining ground has come on good/firm to heavy.
Flaked Oats11-9-11This Bay gelding is something of a Fontwell specialist, as before his win at Wincanton this year his other 3 wins were all at this course.
He is a nice horse who is unexposed under rules as he has only had 17 runs to date. He was once the favourite for the Welsh national and finished 4th on that day back in December under very heavy conditions. He looks as if he likes park type courses so the undulations of Chepstow would not have helped his cause. He has been known to make mistakes but when aggressively ridden he seems to jump better. He was Fourth in last years midlands national and went two better finishing 2nd this year.
he is an out and out dyed in the wood stayer and should get the trip.
His winning form is on good to soft ground so avoiding extremes he should go well It would not be a complete surprise if he ran into a place.
Art Prince10-9-10A Nice 10 yr old Bay gelding this horse likes to hear his hooves rattle when he runs. His winning so far have all come on ground that is good or good/firm with 5 wins on good/firm. He was trained by C.Brookes up until May 98 and is now trained by M.Pipe who has got to the bottom of him this year because if you overlook his first race where he was pulled up in his 9 races since he has not been out of the frame.
He is winning now at around 3 miles and there is no reason to suggest that he will not get further. His best run so far was probably 2nd behind Tullamurry Toff at market rasen in October.
Merry People12-9-09This 12 year old Bay gelding is very difficult to assess as he has not won since August 97. . He ran what must have been the race of his life last year in the National when falling 2 out when looking as if a place was on the cards, his jockey remounted and he came home 16th of the 18 finishers. Could he do it again well he looked well out of his depth at the start and 200-1 looked as if it was about the right price but some horses like the national. At 12 he will have no improvement by he should run a creditable race this year.
He is very well exposed with 66 runs and 14 wins on all goings from firm to heavy.
Druid’s Brook11-9-09A very big strong chaser, this 11 yr old Bay gelding needs to by ridden with aggression as he has been known to make silly mistakes. He goes well when fresh and very often wins first time out.
He is a winner of 3 of his 15 races and s very much the plodding type who should get round as he definitely stays 4 miles although he looks as if he might do it in his own time.
Brave Highlander12-9-09This 12 yr old Bay gelding has had two previous runs in the National in 1998 he unseated his rider unluckily at the Canal turn on the second circuit, and last year finished the race in 6th place and ran really well all through the race but make a mistake at the 24th but stayed on until 2 out where he weakened.
A good sort who jumps for fun but is one who has had leg trouble in his past. He run in the very famous Aldeniti colours and it would come as no surprise if he finished well this year.
Even Flow11-09-08A Reasonable chaser this 11 year old Bay gelding who may find this marathon a bit far for him as his winning trips have been around 2 ½ miles and he does not seem to stay 3 miles. A winner of 6 of his 24 races but this season has been well below par but seemed to come back to a little form on his last outing when 2nd to Troubled ahead at Sandown in march when going down in class.
He should be out of his class here.
His winning goings range from good to heavy so he is another who would appreciate some cut.
Camelot Knight14-09-08At 14 this is the oldest horse in the race. A Brown gelding he has run in the national before and seems to save his best for Aintree and ran a reasonable fourth in the Becher chase earlier in the season.
He first ran in the National in 95 when he fell he then had another attempt in 97 and finished 3rd. Last year he was brought down at Bechers on the second circuit.
At his age now he should be out in a field enjoying himself but I guess that to him enjoyment comes on a racecourse.
It is difficult to see him coming in the frame but not impossible despite his age.
He is not a prolific winner and has only won three times in his career and all these coming on soft or heavy ground but he has not won for 7 years, but he has been running in races above the class of a lot of horses further up the handicap.
Celtic Giant10-9-07This 10 year old Chestnut gelding live up to his name and is a giant of a house, He looks an absolute Aintree type of horse and it is a shame that we haven’t seen him over these fences before. A winner of only 4 of his 21 races he seems to act on firm or Good/soft and trained in Scotland does most of his running on the northern tracks. I liked the look of this horse last year especially when he won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham where he jumped superbly. he has had this race as his target all season and because of his rise in the handicap he has only raced once and that was at Cheltenham where he finished well down the field.
He could be an interesting prospect should he take part but he is so far down the handicap that there would have to be quite a number of defectors for him to get in.
Mountain Path10-9-07A 10 yr old Bay gelding this horse a winner of 5 of his 16 starts. and has been running in low grade handicap chases, and his last win was in a class d handicap at Huntingdon.
His winning form has all come on Good/soft ground and has been running around 3+ Miles. but looks out of his depth here.
Cavalero11-9-06This 11 yr old Bay gelding is a winner of 7 of his 26 starts and when he starts winning can run up a sequence. He won 4 times on the bounce in 98 and it took him until March this tar to win again when he won a hunter chase at Warwick and then followed that up with a win in the Cheltenham Foxhunters 12 days later.
He has run 3 times at Aintree he won his first race there beating the smart Elegant Lord in Martell Foxhunters (over the national fences ) But he on his next two runs fell and was pulled up.
If back to his best ( and his strong finish at Cheltenham suggests that he might ) and he gets in the race then he could be on of the liveliest outsiders.
His winning form runs from runs on good/firm to soft.
Overflowing river11-9-06This 11 yr old Chestnut gelding is another good hunter chaser. He has had only two runs this tear but has won once. A proper stayer who stays 4 miles easily .
His winning form comes on firm to soft going .
Cariboo Gold11-9-02This 11 yr old Bay gelding is a winner of 8 of his 34 races and these have come on ground good to good/soft. Once a good class who ran 4th and 5th in subsequent Whitbread’s . Has not won since May 97. Has run well in low class races this season without winning.
Ryhane11-09-02An Irish trained Bay gelding, a winner of 39 starts on going good/firm to heavy. finished 5th in the John Hughes here last season and is on a losing run of 11.
He may be a little better than this handicap states but will have to find a lot to stay with these if he gets into the race.
River Unshion10-9-02A tough consistent Chestnut gelding . A winner of 7 of his 32 runs which have come on good/firm to heavy.
A good sort but way behind this class of race.
Full of Oats14-9-00A Very good chaser in his time , This 14 yr old had a new lease of life last year when moving stables. He won at Bangor and then put up creditable runs in The Eider chase and also Scottish National coming third.
His winning going is from Good to Soft . If he gets into the race he may get around but is another who will finish in his own time.
Another Excuse12-8-13Irish 12 yr old Bay gelding with little chance. Shown little in his runs this year. has only had 6 runs since his last win which was in March 96.
Black Bar12-8-11This Bay gelding is a moderate chaser who finished 14th in his own time last year in this race. Earlier this year he was 6th in the Becher over the National fences so he will jump and stay. A winner of only 4 from his 52 starts and has not won since 1997.
If he get in then there is no reason why he should not get round in his own time.
Winning form on good to heavy.
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