Grand National Runners 2009Here we look at the Grand National runners 2009 in detail to help you with your preview of the 2009 grand national.My WillConfirmed his fitness with a career best performance in the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup where he finished a very respectable 5th behind stablemate Kauto Star. Only nine years old which is a great age to run in the Grand National.My Will is very consistent and rarely runs a bad race. His Gold Cup running indicates that he is well in on the weights, in fact officially he is 8lb well in. Those considering backing him for the National can point to his two performances in what was the Betfred Gold Cup. He finished third at Sandown in 2006 and 2007 and, at least in the first instance, appeared to improve for the step up in trip. Also a winner at 3 and a half miles at Cheltenaham in November 2006 he would appear to have a decent chance of getting the National trip.
Butlers CabinWas as short as 10/1 to win the 2008 National and his supporters were no doubt getting very excited about his prospects until his exit at Bechers second time round. In truth, that was the only shred of his old form in a season that suggested to some that Butlers Cabin's best days were going to remain in 2007 when in the space of around three weeks he won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and the Irish National at Fairyhouse.Those who wish to support him for 2009 will probably have to do so on trust as if last season is anything to go by he is unlikely to give any indication of his true form until the day of the race itself. All said though he is likely to be one of the more popular grand national runners 2009 Black ApalachiFive of the last ten winners of the Grand National have been trained in Ireland and this horse is also on a handicap mark that equates with a number of recent winners. Throw in the fact that he has already won over the National fences when winning November's Becher Chase by a Distance then we have the profile of a very strong contender.Black Apalachi has been a victim of his consistency in Ireland and has failed to get any respite from the handicapper since his 2005 victory in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Since then he has plied his trade in good quality handicaps in Ireland, usually showing up well without ever really looking like winning. 2008 saw an upturn in form and a couple of runner-up spots in valuable chases before his routing of a good quality field at Aintree.
He did fall at the first fence in the 2008 National but is sure to know more about the job in hand if he makes it to Aintree for 2009.
Rambling MinsterMeets all the key stats which you would look for in a National winner. Seems to be hitting his career peak at the age of eleven after recording excellent victories at Cheltenham on New Years Day and the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock. Keith Reveley has always believed that this horse is at his best on better ground so it is a testament to the ability of the horse that he has now managed to win two staying contests on very soft ground (he also won the Scottish Borders National at Kelso over four miles on soft ground).Rambling Minster will not be running Big Fella ThanksLooks like the grand national is a couple of years early for this one but the horse has such potential that he may never get the chance to run off this weight again. Won the Skybet Chase at Doncaster after going close in some decent Novice Chases earlier in the season. Missed Cheltenham so he could stay fresh for Aintree so connnections clearly fancy him strongly.
Comply Or DieDavid Johnson's Comply Or Die had been off the track with injury from December 2005 until October 2007 - not exactly the ideal preparation for a Grand National but he had a couple of warm up races, won the Eider Chase at Newcastle and then won the Grand National by a comfortable looking four lengths under a great ride from Timmy Murphy.History is against him retaining his title but he has the ability to go very close again in 2009.
Hear The EchoHugely impressive winner of the 2008 Irish Grand National for Mouse Morris and Gigginstown House Stud. The trainer has already stated that Aintree is the plan for 2009 and that helps to give ante-post punters a bit of reassurance. However, this is still a very young horse (eight years old) and he has had a tendency to make a number of mistakes in his races and has occasionally looked like a weak finisher, although obviously not at Fairyhouse!This horse obviously has the potential to carry on improving and he should be monitored closely in 08/09 with close attention paid to his jumping in his first few races of the new season. If he jumps well then perhaps this area would be less of a worry at Aintree and he will become a very serious Grand National candidate. Snowy MorningSurprisingly didn't record a victory over fences in the 07/08 season but went some way to silencing his critics when third in the Grand National, beaten just over five lengths by Comply Or Die.Followed that run with a fine runner-up spot behind Neptune Collonges in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown and now faces the prospect of running in the 2009 National off a much higher mark than in 2008. Has the potential to deal with that hike in the ratings but may need to find a touch more consistency in his jumping to really threaten to win the great race.
Cloudy LaneWas made favourite for the 2008 Grand National on the strength of a hat-trick of victories between December and March in the 07/08 season and therefore appeared "well in" at the published weights for Aintree.However, despite appearing to have at least a stone in hand of his true mark, Cloudy Lane never really got competitive and finished in a distant sixth place behind Comply Or Die. Connections initially appeared uncertain about if the horse was suited to Aintree but some more good performances in 08/09 have convinced them to give the great race another try. His gutsy victory at Haydock in the Peter Marsh Chase underlines that he his a chaser with plenty of talent - but can he translate that talent into winning a Grand National?
Was made favourite for the 2008 Grand National on the strength of a hat-trick of victories between December and March in the 07/08 season and therefore appeared "well in" at the published weights for Aintree. However, despite appearing to have at least a stone in hand of his true mark, Cloudy Lane never really got competitive and finished in a distant sixth place behind Comply Or Die. Connections initially appeared uncertain about if the horse was suited to Aintree but some more good performances in 08/09 have convinced them to give the great race another try. His gutsy victory at Haydock in the Peter Marsh Chase underlines that he his a chaser with plenty of talent - but can he translate that talent into winning a Grand National? LAmiApparently one of JP McManus' favourite horses and its easy to understand why as this horse has been remarkably consistent over the years and has amassed nearly £350,000 in total prize money. Obviously JP is not too bothered about prize money but this horse always trys his best and now that he has been transferred to Enda Bolger he's even managed to record his first win under Rules in four years! Has had two previous attempts at the Grand National - finishing 10th in 2007 and Falling last year and in doing so ended the career of Mick Fitzgerald. There seems to be plenty of enthusiasm in it being third time lucky for LAmi. LAmi will not be runningSouthern VicTrained by Grand National winning trainer and Channel 4 pundit Ted Walsh, Southern Vic looked likely to be ridden by Ted's son Ruby but good ground has meant that Ruby has decided to ride the Paul Nicholls trained My Will. Southern Vic would undoubtedly have prefered softer ground but is no forlorn hope on a quicker surface, especially as it seems that the times from the first day would indicate the going is quite slow. This horse has always been well regarded and has had a look at the Aintree fences when unseating in the Becher in November. That may not necessarily be a negative experience and he could be the one of the Irish team with the strongest chance.southern vic will not be running State Of PlayEvan Williams has dreamt of winning the Grand National ever since he was a child and he appears to have thought very carefully about this horse's preparation for this race. Aware that the horse is at his absolute best when coming off a break he avoided the temptation to run him at Cheltenham and the horse hasn't run since Boxing Day. As a Hennessy Gold Cup and Charlie Hall Chase winner he certainly won't fail on a class level but there just might be a question mark about his stamina.
Kilbeggan BladeTom George has steered this horse expertly this season and he comes into the National in the form of his life. The highlight of this season is undoubtedly a great win over 3miles 6furlongs at Sandown where he used all stamina to great effect and his supporters will be hoping that the fact that most of his recent form is on right handed tracks will not be too much of a concern. It may also be a worry as to if he will have the pace to keep competitive in the early part of the race but if Graham Lee is anywhere near the leaders turning for home then Kilbeggan Blade fans will be very hopeful.kilbeggan blade will not be running These are just some of the main contenders for the 2009 Grand National. The full list of runners is in the odds list on the right of this page. |
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