Grand National 2002 PreviewFlorida Pearl10-11-12** NON-RUNNER ** A top Class Irish chaser, this 10-Year-old bay gelding is the best chaser in training that Ireland has. He has been tried in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but has found the final hill too much, but did finish second to looks like trouble in the 2000 event but finished well down the field this year.
He would have the class to win this race and because of his obvious ability has been awarded top weight but should be able to carry the 11st 12lbs if allowed to take his chance.
The biggest pointer to the horse's chance may come on the day if the price shortens considerably. A Very good horse with a good chance.
Marlborough10-11-12Another good horse Marlborough, A 10 yr old Brown Gelding who started out as a decent hurdler and has made the transition to the bigger obstacles but not without problems. He has made bad jumping mistakes in the past, he has improved his jumping recently although he will catch one in a race. Mick Fitzgerald gets on with the horse well and when in full gallop and driven into a fence seems to jump better.
He won three from three last year but did not have conditions in his favour for his first run this year and blew up. He was subsequently deserted by Mick Fitzgerald in the Gold Cup but despite that ran with great credit to finish 4th.
Has tried the Scottish national in the past but did not seem to get home but connections stated that he sustained an injury so this may not be a concern. A live contender if a little high in the weights.
Alexander Banquet9-11-11Another very good horse this bay gelding. He was a very good bumper horse and was good in his hurdle seasons. He was then sent chasing winning two quickly, but was then sent out to contest shorter chases (2m1f) and ran poorly.
He Jumps well and was second in the Royal Sun Alliance chase at Cheltenham 2000 finding only the smart Lord Noelie too good, where he jumped well and was staying on. Put up a great performance in the 2001 Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup coming in second to Florida Pearl, and won the race this year with Florida Pearl back in 4th (of 5).
Ran this year in the Gold Cup and came in 6th but was not up with the fast pace on the faster ground and made a mistake 3 out and was not beat about after that. That could have proved to be a good prep race for the National and he would have a great chance at the longer trip as long as the weights do not rise. You have to go back 22 years to Red Rum to find a winner with his current weight so a rise in the weights may just count him out.
One for the short list.
Kingsmark9-11-9A good grey gelding this 9 year old. He jumps well in the main, as his dual wins in the Edward Hanmer chase at Haydock seem to prove. He also won at Aintree last year so may like this type of course although untried at the National fences. However he did run a stinker in the Whitbread where he made jumping mistakes. The two things he needs are soft ground and a break between races. He has not been seen out since December where he was second behind the very smart Legal right in the Tommy Whittle Chase, and this is obviously a planned rest. Has gone up quite a bit in the ratings and would be better fancied a bit lower in the weights but looks to have respectable chances in this race.
What's Up Boys8-11-6A lovely 8-year-old grey gelding, who likes to come off the pace and won at least two races by coming late whan looking completly finished at the last.
He did not start his jumping career well by not being fluent in his first few races but seems to have now got his act together. Given his strong finish in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup over 3m 2 ½f he looks like he will stay out this trip. However his trainer stated after the Welsh equivalent of this race in December over 3m 5f "He had his stamina possibly taxed just beyond its limit". Having just re-watched the race I think perhaps he is being a little hard on the horse, he was hampered at the first in the straight and although was on the outside of the pack was being bustled. We should remember he is a young horse and this would not have helped his cause he certainly did not jump the last two like a tired horse indeed jumped them better that the three in front of him. He could have been suffering from a hard previous race in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup earlier in the month. He was 5th in this years Gold Cup and looks spot on for the National, however I would have liked to have seen a few less pounds in weight as it is 12 years since a horse carried 11st or more to victory.
Lyreen Wonder9-11-4A reasonable Irish 8 year old Chestnut gelding whose main problem seems to be his jumping. However proved that he is good enough to be in this race when putting in an almost faultless round of front running in the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase in Ireland during January when he took the scalp of the very smart Rince Ri, even allowing for the 15lbs he was getting this was still a fine performance.
Not without a chance if his jumping stands up, but is this too much to ask over 4m+ in the national?
Ad hoc8-11-1A lightly raced 8-year-old bay gelding, Ad Hoc has some nice winning form including the Whitbread Gold Cup. However he is another who's jumping was causing him all sorts of problems earlier in the year. He has improved his jumping and runs well when putting in a clear round. He likes the top of the ground and if the going if faster than good (although he has won on soft) he will have a great chance.
He is a spring horse and has this going for him and is certain to get home as his second in the Scottish national last year proves.
Another for the shortlist.
Beau10-11-1This 9 yr old Bay gelding was quite a smart hurdler before going chasing two seasons ago and then turned out to be a revelation running a good second to Lady Cricket in a good novice chase at Chepstow. Beau He then overturned the winner two races later. He then kept on improving beating Nicki Dee and then Good Lord Murphy before coming second to Marlbourgh at the festival But then in his last race of the season beat all rivals out of sight in the Whitbread at Sandown winning by a bigger margin than any other winner of the race beating folly road by a distance. In last years race he was going better than any other horse under a top weight of 11st 10lbs when falling. Despite this he is usually a safe jumper and has a real racing weight in this years race carrying a stone less and you would be mad to leave this horse out of your calculations.
This season he started by coming second in the Intervet Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham which was a very good run, but has decidedly gone off the boil lately but has done that before and came back and he also likes this time of year.
Given his run last year and his reduced weight this year he must have a good chance.
David's Lad8-11-1He stays, he has a good cruising speed, he has a turn of foot and is a good jumper, he is a previous winner of the Irish National so will he win the National? Well I for one would not rule him out. His trainer has stated that he thinks he was harshly treated in the weights and it is true that 5 lbs less would have put him in the perfect weight zone for this race but all the same he must have a cracking chance in this race. His early career was not much to write home about but this horse has improved very much of late and is now running into form after starting the season a bit lack lustre in a hurdle race, something that is very popular these days in Ireland. His most recent 3rd to Royal Auclair at Cheltenham in the Cathcart must have put him spot on for this race.
One of the top contenders here this year.
Paris Pike9-10-13This 9-year-old bay gelding is another who looks the right sort for the National. A winner of 5 from 6 runs in 1998/2000 season ending it on a high by easily winning the Scottish National. He was then off the course for 20 months before coming back in a moderately run 4 runner affair where he came in 2nd giving the winner almost 2st. It was difficult to work out anything from this race but was a good introduction back to racing. He then went to Ireland for the Ericsson Chase but ran poorly and was pulled up. His next race in the pillar chase looked worse when finishing last but he ran quite well. His only other run was a 6th at Newbury but looked as if he was coming back to form.
It would be foolish to say he has an outstanding chance given he has not sparkled since his lay off but he is one that could just be getting back to his best and if so has a great chance at these weights.
Red Striker8-10-8** NON-RUNNER ** A really nice horse this 8-year-old chestnut gelding.
He had a cracking season last year winning five times and picking up a valuable prize on the Friday of this meeting in the Heidsieck Diamant Bleu Novices' Handicap Chase.
He likes soft ground but not sticky which seems to hold him.
He comes from last years winning stable and therefore will be prepared perfectly but he has had a poor season this year, having a single win amongst 1 last and 3 pulled up's. If you could overlook his pulled up's then his form is really good and the stable would not run him if anything was wrong. He has a good racing weight and could have a good chance. Look for the assistant trainer Richard Guest to ride as this would confirm his well being.
Exit Swinger7-10-8** NON-RUNNER ** This bay gelding is another reasonable chaser. He is more at home running between 2 and 2 ½ miles rather that this marathon. He ran in this event last year and fell at the 6th fence. He ran some fine races in France before coming to M.Pipe's stable. Although he has been running reasonably well he has not shown that he could go anything like this distance and it would be a surprise if he was to win, that said his trainer M.Pipe can't be ignored in any race.
Majed6-10-11Majed Although Majed has run in France over fences he has not been seen in this country running in anything other that hurdle races.
He has won a hurdle race over 3 miles and therefore he may get the trip but this would be remarkable indeed if this horse in his first proper chase were to win the Grand National.
The last 6yr old to win this was in 1898 (104 yrs ago) Despite being in the handicap proper it is difficult to see him winning this.
Inn at the Top10-10-8Perhaps another surprising entry this 10 Year old bay gelding as he looks as if around 2 and a half miles would be his trip as his maximum winning race was a 2m5f race. However he has some form over 3 miles in the Great Yorkshire where he finished a good second. The trick with this horse is the ground. If the ground turned up fast on the day then he could possibly see the trip out and fast ground may not suit many others in the race.
Streamstown8-10-8Streamstown is a good chaser in the making. The 8 year old brown gelding has been running some fine races but also has a tendency to run a bad one every now and then. He is much better in soft/heavy ground but was pulled up last time out on heavy but was carrying 11st 10lbs over the 4miles+ that day.
He has a great racing weight in this and if the ground turned up very soft he would stand a good chance from the right end of the handicap. He has won at this course and also fell once but has not tackled these fences before.
You're Agoodun10-10-8You're AgoodunYou're Agoodun was a quirky character when running over hurdles and this chestnut gelding has kept this trait now he is over fences. He has ability but his jumping can let him down. He ran in the Welsh national last year and unseated his rider at the 2nd. He ran in this race last year and fell at the 8th fence. He also ran in the Welsh National this season and finished 5th but did not seem to stay. This chestnut gelding is a nice horse but is hard to fancy given his poor jumping and he looks like he may not stay the distance even though he does get 3miles.
Royal Predica8-10-8A useful 8-year-old chestnut gelding this who would seem to be better over shorter tips than this.
Royal PredicaHe has put up some reasonable performances in the past and was a fine second at Cheltenham in December. He seemed to relish the break before that race and ran really well. He can however make jumping mistakes and when tried over the stiff Haydock fences in January he did not take to them at all well and was pulled up. Given that horses who run well at Haydock usually run well at Aintree this must be a bit of a worry. He also fell when running in the 2000 Grand National. He was 5th on his last outing at Cheltenham in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase where was always in the rear.
Manx Magic9-10-7This 9-year-old bay gelding was a good hurdler and has taken to chasing well.
He won him first three chases even though they were perhaps not top class events. He needs hard driving and has worn blinkers or visors in the past. Tony McCoys hard driving style gets the best out of this horse and his 6th place in the 132nd Year of National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase at Cheltenham was no disgrace, but there was a slight worry in that 4 mile race that he was going well until about 6f from home when he seemed to run out of steam quickly. It is difficult to know if he had a problem or if he did not get the trip.
Blowing Wind9-10-6A very good hurdler who was BD in the Champion Hurdle and who after a poor first novice chase when jumping slowly seems to have taken to the game now. This Brown gelding has made mistakes in his jumping when under pressure, He is a really good horse at around 2 ½ miles as his win last time out at Cheltenham in the 52nd Year of Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Handicap Chase proves but the question is will he last out at racing pace over 4+ miles. He was going very well in last years race but was carried out on the second circuit. He was remounted and carried on to finish the race and finished a very remote 3rd. He was hacked around after being remounted so this could not be taken as "getting the distance" however he did not make his characteristic mistakes that day, perhaps as the ground was so heavy the pace was sensible. He has also run at Aintree poorly on previous occasions.
A good horse who seems misplaced in this race but as he is trained by M.Pipe would not be without any chance as his third last year proved.
The Last Fling12-10-6Frustrating is the word that comes to mind with this chestnut gelding as his jumping seems to be erratic, he seems to unseat his rider too many times and makes jumping errors however when he gets it right he runs very well and shows the fact that he is a smart performer, and he shows that he can still turn in a very good performance as his battling with in the Warwickshire Gold Cup Chase during January. He then followed this up with a lacklustre race next time out. If he gets a clear round he would have a good chance of a place and surprisingly ran very well up to the 22nd fence in the 2000 race and then got a little behind. But he unseated his rider early on last year.
Wicked Crack9-10-5This mare has gone up quite a bit in the ratings this year and perhaps if judged on her run in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal where she had Florida Pearl and Moscow express behind her, then she deserves her rating. She takes a lot of driving and Connor O'Dwyer gets the best out of her. She has won over 3 miles over hurdles but has not won at a distance over 2m 5f over fences even though she has but up some fine performances to come in the frame.
Not without a chance and she is at the bottom of the handicap proper.
If her price falls on the day this could be significant.
Frantic Tan10-10-5A good Chestnut gelding this who likes long distances. He was a champion bumper before getting an injury and spending some time on the sideline. He can get a bit sore after his races but is much better than his very poor runs so far this year suggest. He has looked out of sorts but his latest run he seemed to run and jump with a lot more fluidity and looked like his old self before unseating his rider. He is lightly raced and could just be coming back to form and would not be a surprising winner.
Super Franky9-10-5A nine-year-old chestnut gelding, Super Franky has good bits of form in Ireland, however he is unseen in this country. His best race to date was his win in the Pierse Group Munster National Handicap Chase where he took the rest of the field apart. He is one who the handicapper seems to have got a hold on at the moment and may be a little difficult to place.
Not one to discard and may be there or thereabouts, especially if the ground dries out. Firm going would give him a better chance.
Bindaree8-10-4A fine 8-year-old chestnut gelding this who was a very smart hurdler and who looks to be taking to fences well. He has not won a race since January 2001 but that is probably because he has been running in good races with good opposition. He jumps well but does have a tendency to jump out to the left, which will not be a problem on this left-handed course.
His longest winning distance is 3m1/2f which is surprising as he looks like a horse that need long distances as he can get out paced in a race early on. This happened this season in the Welsh National but he stayed on to get a good third place.
He has a touch of class as he won a grade 2 event at Chepstow and also is a Victor chandler chase winner.
If the weights go up and he gets in the handicap proper he would not be one to discount, especially if Carl Llewellyn his regular jockey chooses him over his other chances.
Celibate11-10-3A really nice chestnut gelding who has had some good wins in the past including the Mitsubishi Shogun Game Spirit Chase and the Stakis Casinos November Novices' Chase. At 11 years old he is a fully exposed horse and is probably just on the wane. This extreme distance may also be a problem for him as when he has been tried over 3 miles he does not seem to stay the trip and always looked best at around 2 to 21/2 miles.
Struggles Glory11-10-3This bay gelding was a good pointer and a good hunter before tuning out under rules.
He does not have that many miles on the clock for a 11 year old and is probably not going to get any better now.
He jumps well enough if not spectacularly, and his only fall came at this course in 2000 in the Martell Fox Hunters' Chase and that was also a big field of runners so both these points would be a worry.
He is not without a chance of getting in the frame but there are others with better chances.
Mely Moss11-10-2Absolutely fabulous is the only words that describe the performance of this Chestnut gelding in the 2000 race, as it was his only run of the season.
Mely Moss Last year he tried to do the same and was going well enough when he was brought down at the Canal Turn in the mêlée'.
He is a fragile horse and that is why he does not see much racing.
Unlike the last two seasons he has had a prep race this year when he ran on March the 9th. He finished 6 of 6 but that does not tell the story he looked good and was ridded around the outside of the other horses and was looked after and not given a hard time.
At 11 he will not have any more improvement to come but has got a good racing weight.
I think he has it all to do though this year and maybe his best chances have not gone but I'm sure if he is firing on the day then he will give a good account of himself.
Gun'n Roses II8-10-2A nice French import this grey gelding.
Gun'n RosesHe was held with some regard by his connections and started his running in the country doing well. He is another horse who looks to be a 2m 21/2 mile type of horse and although many people believe this type of horse can stay the national distance I'm not so sure.
He faded very quickly on his last outing when on that occasion he was tried over 3 miles. Nevertheless he is a good horse from the Martin Pipe stable and none of his horses should be ruled out completely.
Smarty9-10-1One of only two horses not to fall in this event last year and he came a valiant second. Looked to be the winner on a few occasions but just could not stay with the winner Red Marauder over the final furlong.
Smarty He is in very fine form at the moment and is one who seems to handle softer goings. I did state last year that he would not like heavy ground as he was pulled up on it before and the connections said that he did not handle it; well given the bottomless ground his second was even more remarkable.
He has put in one poor race this year but was then switched to hurdles and his running has been good and he has always been staying on at the end of his races.
His trainer will have him spot on for the race this year and he must have a very good chance again as he really does run well in this race and also has shown a liking for the course as he was second in the Becher chase at the course in November. He is one who will obviously stay the distance.
Murt's Man8-10-1A well regarded bay gelding who was laid out for the Scottish National Last year but unfortunately unseated his rider.
He has talent but runs a poor race every now and then. He was tried with blinkers at home with success but on the racetrack he ran poorly with them.
He may be the sort of horse who needs things to go his own way in order to show his best and the hustle and bustle of the race may not suit him but he should not be discounted as his trainer has an eye for this type of horse and does well with them.
Niki Dee12-10-0This 12-year-old bay gelding has not been seen on a racecourse since May 2000. He was pulled up then after making a mistake at the fence. He does make jumping errors and it was a few errors that stopped him getting closer to Papillion in the 2000 race where he came 3rd. Given his age and also his long lay off it is difficult to see him making the frame.
Imperial De Thaix8-9-9** NON-RUNNER ** A very impressive winner on his debut in this country in December 2000 at Chepstow when trained by G Macaire. I was there to witness the run that day and although he was getting weight from the other runners he did put up a very fine performance and won by a distance. He was then bought and sent to Martin Pipe who ran him again at the Welsh racecourse this time over 3miles and again the horse won impressively. He was then sent to Cheltenham and things started to go wrong. He was pulled up and was found to be lame. He was then sent to Aintree on his return to contest the Becher Chase but fell at Bechers. He has run one more time and also fell that day. He could be anything given his very good start but is it a little to much to take on faith that he is OK now?
Gower-Slave10-9-9** NON-RUNNER ** This 9-year-old bay gelding could be the dark horse of the national. He has a fine record in chases and has won 10 of his 26 chases. He is a little difficult to work out however. He seems as if he needs around 2m5f or 2m6f but he has won over 3m2f. I think the ground would be the best guide to this horses chance. On genuine good ground or faster he will have a great chance. His jumping is his biggest asset as he jumps particularly well and this would also help him as horses who make errors in the Grand National waste the energy they need at the end. He is also a course winner having won the John Hughes in April 2001. Perhaps he is one to watch in the betting should the ground turn out to be on the fast side of good. He could be the each way bet.
More Than a Stroll10-9-9** NON-RUNNER ** Another of the Irish raiders this chestnut gelding. He has been seen in this country only once when running a good race at Chepstow in March 2000.
This is a very flexible horse he seems to act on any type of going and has won on gd/frm and also on sft/heavy.
His best race to date was in the grade A Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase at Listowel in September last year. He may be a little hard to access but obviously does have some class.
He was 7th in last season's Irish national where he stayed on at the end if a little one paced.
Goguenard8-10-0A fine bay gelding who was a prolific winner in France and has continued to run well but only win once over 2m4f. He can be a very bold jumper but when tried over longer trips has looked wanting.
Logician11-10-0This New Zealand bay gelding was initially trained in Australia and was brought to this county in February last year and was thought of as a Gold Cup horse as he was so impressive in Australia.
He ha won only once in this country but has put in some good if not spectacular runs.
He looks to be better over the shorter distances rather than the marathon distances and has fallen when tired on the only time he has been tried over 2m4f.
Samuel Wilderspin10-10-0This bay gelding has had a problem with breaking blood vessels in the past but seems to be finding good form with his current trainer.
He looks a good chasing time and could be another of the dark horses in the national.
His wins to date have only been in poorer events than this but he has run well in some good contests.
In his past he was 4th in the Royal & Sunalliance Novices' Hurdle at the 1998 festival, 3rd in the Martell Mersey Novices' Hurdle that year, More lately he won the Thomas Pink Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase back in November, and then won the Ian Hessey Hits Big 40 Handicap Chase at Haydock a course that has similar fences as The National both over 3miles.
He was also going well but did not quicken in his last race over 3m2. but he has won over 3m2f.
He looks spot on for the race and is one not to be left out of any serious reckoning.
Ackzo9-9-13A good bay gelding Ackzo is not a prolific winner (has made the frame 11 times over 50%) but looks a fine chaser all the same. He was one that I followed a few years ago and was hoping that he would try the Welsh National as he looks as if he does well at extreme distances.
He has won over 4m2f so the trip will be no problem at all. The ground may be the key here, as his connections seem to think he needs good ground, although he has run well on heavy in the past.
He looks in the right place in the handicap especially as the weights look to go up and he could get in with the perfect weight of around 10st.
He is from a stable that has 5 good runners in the race and although he is not the first or even second string of that stable I think he is the one of the five.
King on the Run9-9-8** NON-RUNNER ** Going and distance: Has won on good to soft and at a distance up to 4m2f.
Frenchman's Creek8-9-8** NON-RUNNER ** Jumping is the name of the game and that is what this bay gelding does so well. He has fallen once in his life but usually looks so sure of his jumping that he looks the type that will handle the Aintree course.
He is a consistent horse who has found the frame 13 times in his 16 starts.
His last run proves his well being when at the Cheltenham festival in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase over an extended 3miles he won very easily passing and beating the favourite for this race AD Hoc into second place. I think this horse is sure to give a good account of himself if he can be held up and kept out of trouble on the first circuit.
Sheltering8-9-8** NON-RUNNER ** Going and distance:
Acts on good to soft and at a distance up to 3m1/2f.
Red Ark9-9-13A consistent runner this chestnut gelding at trip less than 3 miles.
He is a very good jumper and travels well through a race. He is from last years winning stable and was entered last year but the connections said that they fancied him more that the winner Red Marauder but that he would not run if it turned out too soft. Well it did turn out too soft and he did not run. I guess that will be the same this year but the ground looks as if it will be better this year but what a difference a year makes. The stables main jockey and assistant trainer Richard Guest has got off this horse to ride one from another stable, if you add to this the fact that he has not yet run a race of 3 miles and over and has only won at a distance of 2m7f also he fell over these fences in the John Hughes Trophy Chase Showcase Handicap last year he looks as if he has too much to do.
Birkdale11-9-13A very nice big chasing type Birkdale has gone up quite a bit in the handicap and this is more likely to account for him not winning this season since joining Ferdy Murphy from Len Lungo.
He is a big horse this grey gelding and looks the sort for Aintree but he needs soft ground the softer the better and really does not run well when the ground is any better that good. He proved this when tried in the Scottish National on good ground where he did not run well and was pulled up.
Spot Thedifference9-9-13Another of the Irish raiders this bay gelding.
He is consistent and has made the frame 6 times in his last 7 races. He is owned by J.P.McManus so the market might be the best guide to this horses chance.
He was tried in the Martell Fox Hunters' Chase over these fences in April 200 on his only visit to this country. He did not like the fences/course at all so that may be a bit of a worry.
Djeddah11-9-13This Bay Gelding is a true cross continent runner who runs in this country and also in his native France, and has also tried the Velka Pardubicka Ceske Pojistovny. His trainer F.Douman is a top class well respected trainer all over the world as was shown recently by his flat horse Jim and Tonic winning in Dubai last season. Last year I rote: -
He sends horses to this country and wins top races with then but this is one horse who seems to run better in France than here. Despite running 9 times since his 1996 debut he has not won here since 10997 and has lost 8 times on the trot. So it would be fair to say that he now shows his best in France. He is not a prolific winner and can run badly before and after his wins and therefore is a bit unpredictable.
This is not now quite so relevant as he has won in this country in the John Doyle Handicap Chase at Ascot. After being brought down in last year race and being pulled up in the 45th Whitbread Gold Cup Chase Showcase Handicap at Sandown. He was also a runner in the 2000 race and finished 9th and showed very little until the second circuit but faded at the finish.
It is not beyond possibility that he could win but his best chance may have passed by now.
Inis Cara11-9-13Took Part in last years race when he changed stables and was making his first run for Venettia Williams. He fell at the fourth fence so that was very disappointing. In the preview last year I wrote: - This bay gelding won a very valuable event in the Paddy Power grade 2 at Leopardstown in December 1998 when trying 3 miles for the first time. He got the trip well and looks as if he will stay further. He has not managed to get his head in front since but he may be one who was paying the price of a good win by being too high in the handicap for some time now, and while he is not running badly he would have to improve on his recent form to win this but at 9 he is ripe for this race and Aintree often proves a good course for this type of horse.
All this is still true but this season he has been unlucky. In his first outing he was a very disappointing last of 8 but he was reported to have sustained an injury to his left fore. He then had 133 days off but ran poorly on his return race at Bangor.
He is a big price in the market at present but he is moving in. He could be another of the dark horses but you would have to take his well being on trust.
General wolf13-9-8** NON-RUNNER ** Going and distance:
Acts on soft to Heavy and has won up to 3miles.
Iris Bleu6-9-13This chestnut gelding looked a star in the making in France winning three from four before coming to this country, he has not won since in his 12 starts running about 2m to 2m5f. He has certainly seemed to have lost his edge on his last start when he was tried over 3m2f where he ran poorly. It was reported that he had hit a running rail and never go going again, so this one try may be forgiven. It is difficult to fancy a horse that has only won over 2m2f in a 4mile+ race.
Wonder Weasel9-9-7** NON-RUNNER ** This bay gelding looked very useful on his second ever race when overturning a hot fav at his favourite course Haydock Park.
He went on to improving, and started this season with a good run in November at Kempton finishing 5th. He then won two on the bounce at Haydock over 3 miles.
Since then it has all gone wrong, he was tried in Blinkers and ran a stinker making uncharacteristic jumping error and then ran another poor race without them.
He has had a prep over hurdles where he ran okay.
It is difficult to access his chance here but he looks as if he is the right type for this race with his good runs at Haydock.
If back to form he would have a chance with a good racing weight.
Carry on Harry6-9-12This grey gelding although he has only won over three miles looks as if he should stay further. The ground is the key, as he seems to run much better when there is cut in the ground. He has been sent chasing for the first time this year and he won on his first time out, it was quite a small event but he did it well. Looks as if he has more improvement to come and therefore he could be anything but has been running below this class.
Supreme Charm6-9-12This bay gelding is a good horse and it was a bit disappointing to see him fall in the John Hughes in the 2000 season.
Supreme_CharmHe is a good horse and runs well when the ground is firmer and that probably explains why he ran such a bad race in this event last year. He was not going well at the Chair when he tried to refuse before unseating his jockey.
The distance should not be a problem to him as he has won the cross county race at Cheltenham over 3m7f. He has also tried the Velka Pardubicka Ceske Pojistovny cross country race but it turned into a comedy of errors as he fell at the 6th was remounted and the unseated his rider at the 9th. That race is very unique so maybe nothing can be deduced from that.
He has run well in good races since that winning once.
If he turns out his best performance and gets his good ground he may well be in the shake up at the end.
Gunner Welburn10-9-7** NON-RUNNER ** A fine hunter chaser this chestnut gelding, who has done nothing wrong in the hunter chases he has run in.
The course will be no problem for him as his win in the Martell Fox Hunters' Chase at this meeting last year proves. He has also won over 3m2f and that should be good enough for him to see out this trip. So can he win the national? The key to this horse is the ground soft ground would give him a very good chance; heavy ground would increase his chances. Good ground may be more of a problem for him although he has won on good in his early days.
He may just be below this standard but the national is still a special race and this would be another good story.
He will likely have 10st or thereabouts he has never carried such a light weight before as his previous lowest was 11st 7lbs so it will be a featherweight to carry for him.
Browjoshy9-9-7** NON-RUNNER ** A really nice horse this but he seems to have his own ideas about the game. He has talent and can show it but is just as likely not to put his best foot forward. He has not won for over a year now but showed a real spark in his last race a 3m2f hurdle race where he was a close 5th giving away weight.
He is from the Pitman stable and Mark like his mother Jenny likes to give horses every chance and can produce them on a big day a few pounds better than they have shown as he did with Smarty last year and therefore should be respected.
Moore Lane10-9-7** NON-RUNNER ** A really fine chaser this bay gelding who has been favourite for the National since his very good run in the Great Yorkshire Chase in January.
The horse has had his problems and came back from an 802 day lay off this season and ran a good 5th. He then followed it up with two wins and has been jumping very well and looks the right type for The Grand National and the Aintree fences.
On his last outing he was not so impressive however jumping a bit slowly and laboured but still managed to overcome this and finished second.
Another for the short list.
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