Grand National Runners 2010Here we look at the Grand National runners 2010 in detail to help you with your preview of the 2010 grand national.Big Fella ThanksBig Fella Thanks ran in the 2009 Grand National and performed well to finish 6th to Mon Mome but the bare facts of that run don't tell the whole story. Paul Nicholls' gelding lined up at Aintree as a seven-year-old and no horse of that age has won the Grand National since Bogskar in 1940.Big Fella Thanks has only had six races over fences so was tackling one of the toughest assignments in National Hunt races as a raw youngster. So, in light of his inexperience, the fact that he was challenging the leaders at the fourth last and appearing to be going as well any of the leading pack, suggests this was an excellent effort.
Paul Nicholls has stated he has only started to really get to work on this horse since Xmas so expect him to turn in a decent performance before Aintree.
Niche MarketBob Buckler's Niche Market must be seen as the horse with the ideal credentials to win a Grand National.He has excellent performances in two of the races seen as the big 'trials' for the Aintree Grand National in the Irish National at Fairyhouse and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Firstly, he provided a 33/1 shock when travelling over to the County Meath racecourse and seeing off the home runners in tenacious style for a two length victory over Church Island.
Many people thought that the hike up the rating he received for that win in the Irish National may have scuppered his chances of Aintree success. However, he silenced the doubters with a huge run in the Hennessy at Newbury in November when finishing third to the mighty Denman and subsequent Grade One winner What A Friend, beaten only just over seven lengths. His stamina is assured at up to 3m 6f and he is bound to figure in any list of the most popular grand national runners 2010
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 the 2008 Becher Chase by a Distance then we have the profile of a very strong contender.
This horse has been particularly unlucky in the Grand National with a fall at the second fence in 2008 and unseating his rider when leading the race at Bechers on the second circuit in 2009. He was still going ominously well on that occasion and his stable are intending to gear his preparation totally towards Aintree this year and he must be a huge threat to the English horses.
Comply Or DieDavid Johnson's Comply Or Die won the Grand National by a comfortable four lengths under a great ride from Timmy Murphy in 2008 and has came close to recording a Grand National double when finishing second to Mon Mome in 2009.He looks sure to be a factor in the National for another couple of years and regaining his title in 2010 is not out of the question. Another placing atleast is very much on the cards after the handicapper dropped Comply Or Die a pound on his 2009 mark for the 2010 race.
Mon MomeSurprise 100/1 winner of the Grand National in 2009 but his starting price was more to do with a lull in his form at the time of the race rather than the class of the horse. Venetia Williams had won a number of decent races with this horse including a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in December 2008.Mon Mome was made favourite for the Welsh National on the back of that victory at Cheltenham but appeared not handle the conditions behind Notre Pere and than failed to run up to expectations in three further races before Aintree. Consequently the ten-year-old son of Passing Sale was allowed to go off a three figure price but defied his previous four runs that season to run out a very comfortable winner from 2008 victor Comply Or Die.
Mon Mome will have to run off a seven pound higher mark in 2010 and, like all previous winners, will have a formidable task when attempting to defend his crown. However, given the style of his victory he may have a decent chance of becoming the first horse to retain his crown since 1974.
Arbor SupremeNot the most well known of the Irish contenders but has picked up steady ante-post support despite his trainer Willie Mullins yet to confirm that Aintree is his intended target. Owned by JP McManus, who always lines up a big team of contenders for the Grand National, this horse won two handicaps in Ireland in 2008 and that marked him down as a young handicapper of the highest potential. However, his five races since then have not yielded any further victories although he ran well when finishing third in a big handicap at the Punchestown Festival.Arbor Supreme has been a little disappointing in his first two runs back this season but his supporters were given every encouragement with his recent run over an inadequate trip at Leopardstown, especially as that was over a left-handed course and most of his best runs had previously been right-handed.
|
| (c) Grand National World 2010 |
