Entries were revealed today for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National, run at Aintree on Saturday, April 4, which boasts a record prize fund of £900,000.
There are 123 entries in total for the world’s greatest chase, with both the previous two winners of the John Smith’s Grand National engaged along with two Cheltenham Gold Cup victors and a whole host of other high-class performers.
As expected, last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman has been entered, and he is one of 11 possible starters from the yard of champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls. If successful, Denman would become only the third horse to win both the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith’s Grand National following on from Golden Miller (who won both races in 1934) and L’Escargot (who won the Gold Cup in 1970 and 1971 prior landing the 1975 Grand National).
Nicholls, who has more entries than any other trainer and is seeking his first John Smith’s Grand National success, could also rely on recent impressive Sky Bet chase winner Big Fella Thanks, Cornish Sett, the 2006 totesport.com Becher Chase victor Eurotrek, last season’s John Smith’s Topham Chase victor Gwanako, Leading Attraction, My Will, Nozic, Opera Mundi, Silverburn and 2006 RSA Chase scorer Star De Mohaison.
David Pipe enjoyed the finest hour of his training career when sending out Comply Or Die to victory last season in the John Smith’s Grand National and the 10-year-old is one of seven entries from the Pond House team in 2009. Comply Or Die would be bidding to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973/1974 to land back to back renewals of the famous race and could be joined by stable companions Madison Du Berlais, successful in this season’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, Arteea, Le Toscan, Milan Deux Mille, Piraya and Puntal.
Comply Or Die’s success last season broke the recent domination of Irish-trained horses, who have landed six of the last 10 renewals of the John Smith’s Grand National. This year’s challenge from Ireland looks as strong as ever, with 35 entries. The Irish-trained contingent includes last year’s runner-up King Johns Castle, who is now back on the John Smith’s Grand National trail following a setback earlier in the season.
His trainer Arthur Moore commented: “King Johns Castle is in good form at the moment. He made a good recovery from his problem in November and we agreed that he went back into exercise. He’s been doing some good work in the past few weeks and he’s taking it well so we feel that he’s justified an entry in the John Smith’s Grand National.
“The vets gave him a good report and he’s now back in full training, so we are hopeful that he can get to Aintree in April. I would imagine that he would have a couple of runs beforehand, more likely over hurdles because it’s an easier programme for him.
“He had a great run through in the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National and I would be hoping for more luck in this year’s race. It’s a long way away at the moment but we are optimistic of getting him there.”
King Johns Castle is one of seven entries for J P McManus, the legendary Irish owner and gambler who has yet to see his famous colours carried to victory in the John Smith’s Grand National. Other strong contenders among the McManus septet are the 2007 Irish Grand National winner Butler’s Cabin, who was well in contention when falling at Becher’s on the second circuit in 2008.
Also among the entries from Ireland is last year’s Irish Grand National victor Hear The Echo, trained by Mouse Morris for Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. The same owner/trainer combination have also entered their 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup victor War Of Attrition while other leading contenders from Ireland include the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National hero Silver Birch, this season’s Welsh National victor Notre Pere, Black Apalachi, who showed his liking for the course when landing the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree in November and Snowy Morning, who finished third behind Comply Or Die in 2008. Trainer Jimmy Mangan enjoyed a memorable victory in 2003 with Monty’s Pass and he has two entries this year - Conna Castle and Himalayan Trail.
The name McCain is synonymous with the John Smith’s Grand National following the legendary exploits of triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s and Amberleigh House in 2004 for trainer Ginger McCain. His son Donald McCain Jnr has three entries this year, headed by Cloudy Lane who finished sixth in 2008 when starting joint-favourite. The nine-year-old recently proved his well-being with a battling success in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park while McCain’s other two entries are Ice Tea and Idle Talk.
Gloucestershire-based Nigel Twiston-Davies is the only current trainer to have won the John Smith’s Grand National on more than one occasion, with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002). A strong entry of seven from his Naunton base this year includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup scorer Imperial Commander.
Other significant entries include Endless Power, who proved his ability over the Grand National fences when landing the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase at the Northwest Racing Masters in November, Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up Air Force One, recent Grade Two Letheby & Christopher Chase victor Joe Lively, the high-class Exotic Dancer, 2007 Scottish Grand National and bet365 Gold Cup victor Hot Weld and the luckless Simon, who has travelled well in the last two John Smith’s Grand Nationals prior to falling at Valentine’s on the second circuit.
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff could have a runner in his namesake Flintoff, whom he owns jointly with Paul Beck while Lord Andrew and Lady Madeline Lloyd-Webber will be hoping that Darkness can make the line-up at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 4.
Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the quality of entries received for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National.
“With the past two winners of the Grand National, two Cheltenham Gold Cup victors, three Hennessy Gold Cup scorers, a brace of Welsh and Irish Grand National heroes plus several horses with proven ability over the Grand National fences, we couldn’t be happier.
“Although the number of entries is slightly down on the average we have seen over the last decade, that has been more than compensated for with the large number of high-class contenders, led by Denman.
“The countdown is well under way to the unveiling of the weights on February 10 and everyone is awaiting to see how the handicap will be framed with great anticipation.”
Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with past successes in the John Smith’s Grand National
11 Entries
Paul Nicholls
Big Fella Thanks
Cornish Sett
Denman
Eurotrek
Gwanako
Leading Attraction
My Will
Nozic
Opera Mundi
Silverburn
Star de Mohaison
7 EntriesDavid Pipe (2008 Comply Or Die)
Arteea
Comply Or Die
Le Toscan
Madison du Berlais
Milan Deux Mille
Piraya
Puntal
Nigel Twiston-Davies (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)
Ballyfitz
Battlecry
Beat The Boys
Fundamentalist
Imperial Commander
Knowhere
Ollie Magern
6 Entries
Willie Mullins IRE (2005 Hedgehunter)
Ballytrim
Emma Jane
Homer Wells
Irish Invader
Pomme Tiepy
Snowy Morning
5 Entries
Philip Hobbs
Monkerhostin
Out The Black
Parsons Legacy
Tom Sayers
Zabenz
4 Entries
Nicky Henderson
Fleet Street
Golden Flight
Oedipe
Trabolgan
Ferdy Murphy
Hot Weld
L'Antartique
Nine de Sivola
You're Special
Jonjo O’Neill
Butler's Cabin
Can't Buy Time
Exotic Dancer
Reveillez
Venetia Williams
Alexanderthegreat
Flintoff
Mon Mome
Stan
3 Entries
Peter Bowen
Always Waining
Iron Man
Snoopy Loopy
Charles Egerton
Darkness
Gallant Approach
Hobbs Hill
Dessie Hughes IRE
Black Apalachi
Oulart
Sea Diva
Howard Johnson
Abbeybraney
Companero
Royal Rosa
Donald McCain Jnr
Cloudy Lane
Ice Tea
Idle Talk
Charlie Swan IRE
Offshore Account
One Cool Cookie
Oodachee
Tom Taaffe IRE
Cane Brake
Kings Advocate
Tumbling Dice
2 Entries
Enda Bolger IRE
Garde Champetre
L'Ami
Gordon Elliott IRE (2007 Silver Birch)
Hoopy
Silver Birch
Carl Llewellyn
Roll Along
Without A Doubt
Jimmy Mangan IRE (2003 Monty’s Pass)
Conna Castle
Himalayan Trail
Charlie Mann
Air Force One
Nadover
Tony Martin IRE
Dun Doire
Patsy Hall
Noel Meade IRE
Afistfullofdollars
Mattock Ranger
Mouse Morris IRE
Hear The Echo
War of Attrition
Paul Murphy
Cerium
Mont Misere
Colin Tizzard
Joe Lively
Lord Killeshanra
1 Entry
Robert & Sally Alner
Miko de Beauchene
Mark Bradstock
King Harald
Alan Brown
Malko de Beaumont
Bob Buckler
Niche Market
Edgar Byrne IRE
Sandhurst
Francois Cottin FR
Musica Bella
Jim Dreaper IRE
Notre Pere
Tom George
Kilbeggan Blade
Jim Goldie
Endless Power
Malcolm Jefferson
Brooklyn Brownie
Alan King
D'Argent
Peter Maddison
Lothian Falcon
Arthur Moore IRE
King Johns Castle
Tom Mullins IRE
Chelsea Harbour
Paul Nolan IRE
Dix Villez
Gerard O’Leary IRE
Preists Leap
Richard Phillips
Pak Jack
Charles Pogson
Seymour Weld
John Quinn
Character Building
Keith Reveley
Rambling Minster
Suzy Smith
Pass Me By
John Spearing
Simon
Martin Todhunter
Bagan
Andy Turnell (1987 Maori Venture)
Bible Lord
Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)
Southern Vic
Evan Williams
State of Play
Ian Williams
Lysander
Nick Williams
Maljimar
Lisa Williamson
Kelami
Roy Wilson IRE
In The Loop
Breakdown of entries for selected owners with past successes in the John Smith’s Grand National
7 Entries
J P McManus
5 Entries
Trevor Hemmings (2005 Hedgehunter)
4 Entries
Gigginstown House Stud (Michael O’Leary of Ryanair)
3 Entries
Paul Beck (Flintoff owned jointly with Andrew Flintoff)
Sir Robert Ogden
2 Entries
Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay
Paul Green
Terry Neill
The Stewart Family
Andrea & Graham Wylie
Brian Walsh (2007 Silver Birch)
1 Entry
Bryan & Philippa Burrough (1983 Corbiere)
Halewood International Ltd (2004 Amberleigh House)
Bill Edwards-Heathcote (owner of Bula who won the Champion Hurdle in 1971 and 1972)
David Johnson (2008 Comply Or Die)
Raymond Mould (2002 Bindaree)
Mercy Rimell
Lady Lloyd-Webber
THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, £900,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 4, 2009. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 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 8, 2009. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 27, 2009, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances to February 8, 2009, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 8, 2009. 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. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed January 27, entries revealed January 28 (123 entries), weights revealed February 10, first forfeit stage February 24, second forfeit stage March 17. Five/six-day confirmation stage March 30, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 2. Form figures supplied by Wetherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, January 26.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
2423-32 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
1/1//2110- AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE) 11 E Mcelroy, Mrs P Shanahan, Sue Magnier Noel Meade IRE
511-225 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 7 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann
21/-2426 ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE) 11 Six Blokes Venetia Williams
P641PP ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 8 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen
3/00010- ARTEEA (IRE) 10 Judith Wilson David Pipe
101PP6- BAGAN (FR) 10 The Centaur Group Partnership VII Martin Todhunter
152-112 BALLYFITZ 9 F J Mills & W Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies
43444-P BALLYTRIM (IRE) 8 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
332-245 BATTLECRY 8 Trevor Hemmings Nigel Twiston-Davies
11P1-3P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 8 New Club Ladies Nigel Twiston-Davies
140-306 BIBLE LORD (IRE) 8 M Tedham Andrew Turnell
2-322U1 BIG FELLA THANKS 7 Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay Paul Nicholls
20F2-P1 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 10 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE
412402 BROOKLYN BROWNIE (IRE) 10 P Gaffney & J N Stevenson Malcolm Jefferson
03F-000 BUTLER'S CABIN (FR) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
63-1113 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
115P/-03 CANE BRAKE (IRE) 10 Mount Temple Racing Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE
0P/50PP- CERIUM (FR) 8 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
P/3-1433 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 9 Mrs E Wright John Quinn
61U1F2 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 9 Mrs P Duffin Tom Mullins IRE
16-0431 CLOUDY LANE 9 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr
211-111 COMPANERO (IRE) 9 W M G. Black & Mrs S Johnson Howard Johnson
P211-P0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 10 David Johnson David Pipe
P-2P600 CONNA CASTLE (IRE) 10 Kings Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
P00-F12 CORNISH SETT (IRE) 10 Peter Hart Paul Nicholls
14F0-F4 D'ARGENT (IRE) 12 Nigel Bunter Alan King
113P//-3P DARKNESS 10 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton
11/1111- DENMAN (IRE) 9 Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
64P3-01 DIX VILLEZ (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE
62P-30P DUN DOIRE (IRE) 10 Dunderry Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
F611-04 EMMA JANE (IRE) 9 Tintern Ten Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
2134-13 ENDLESS POWER (IRE) 9 Fyffees Jim Goldie
411P/1P/- EUROTREK (IRE) 13 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
353-231 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
042-P61 FLEET STREET 10 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
P2P63-5 FLINTOFF (USA) 8 Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams
00146P FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 11 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies
25/1300/- GALLANT APPROACH (IRE) 10 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Charles Egerton
111-421 GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) 10 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
1/P133/3- GOLDEN FLIGHT (FR) 10 John & Barbara Cotton Nicky Henderson
5321-U1 GWANAKO (FR) 6 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
501-556 HEAR THE ECHO (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
1-P504P HIMALAYAN TRAIL 10 Mark Gittins Jimmy Mangan IRE
1111F-0 HOBBS HILL 10 J P McManus Charles Egerton
0P6PP-0 HOMER WELLS (IRE) 11 Mrs M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
P2113P HOOPY (IRE) 7 John Earls Gordon Elliott IRE
PPP611/- HOT WELD 10 S Hubbard Rodwell Ferdy Murphy
PP541P ICE TEA (IRE) 9 Sandicroft Stud Donald McCain Jnr
050-240 IDLE TALK (IRE) 10 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr
3/114-16 IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) 8 Our Friends in the North Nigel Twiston-Davies
3/2F01P- IN THE LOOP (IRE) 11 Ben-Hill Syndicate Roy Wilson IRE
F32311 IRISH INVADER (IRE) 8 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
0333P0 IRON MAN (FR) 8 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen
42-3161 JOE LIVELY (IRE) 10 Richard Dimond Colin Tizzard
0F2U6-P KELAMI (FR) 11 Halewood International Ltd Lisa Williamson
20P-111 KILBEGGAN BLADE 10 K Doocey & Mrs A Doocey Tom George
P121-P5 KING HARALD (IRE) 11 Piers Pottinger & P B-J Partnership Mark Bradstock
P/22212- KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 10 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
12366/-4 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 9 Conor Clarkson Tom Taaffe IRE
16UP-10 KNOWHERE (IRE) 11 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
03F0-42 L'AMI (FR) 10 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
11640-5 L'ANTARTIQUE (FR) 9 Mrs A N Durkan Ferdy Murphy
02P-P4F LE TOSCAN (FR) 9 Judith Wilson David Pipe
1/212-33 LEADING ATTRACTION (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls
5/6P0-42 LORD KILLESHANRA (IRE) 10 G F Gingell Colin Tizzard
313145- LOTHIAN FALCON 10 Peter Maddison Peter Maddison
U-2130U LYSANDER (GER) 10 The Piranha Partnership Ian Williams
425F-61 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 8 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe
2U41U-0 MALJIMAR (IRE) 9 Jane Williams Nick Williams
421314 MALKO DE BEAUMONT (FR) 9 David Sturdy Alan Brown
P2P-P0P MATTOCK RANGER (IRE) 9 Banouche Stud Ireland Ltd Noel Meade IRE
12P-0UU MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 9 Andrew Wiles Robert & Sally Alner
5/5400-P MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 7 Judith Wilson David Pipe
00-2102 MON MOME (FR) 9 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams
3P1-502 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 12 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs
1110PP MONT MISERE (FR) 13 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
122210 MUSICA BELLA (FR) 9 Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR
32023/-5 MY WILL (FR) 9 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
P00-P30 NADOVER (FR) 8 G H Storey Charlie Mann
U44P-31 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 8 G Regan Bob Buckler
22/-22P4 NINE DE SIVOLA (FR) 8 The DPRP Sivola Partnership Ferdy Murphy
63P-411 NOTRE PERE (FR) 8 Mrs P J Conway Jim Dreaper IRE
112/-U1P NOZIC (FR) 8 Sam Mcvie Paul Nicholls
1/010-05 OEDIPE (FR) 7 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
1111/U2- OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 9 Brian Polly Charlie Swan IRE
40-2555 OLLIE MAGERN 11 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
6P-0241 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE
0-32123 OODACHEE 10 Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
0/1PP-63 OPERA MUNDI (FR) 7 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
012036 OULART 10 Dessie Hughes & Ged Pierse Dessie Hughes IRE
U1-5254 OUT THE BLACK (IRE) 11 James Drummond Philip Hobbs
2/223F0- PAK JACK (FR) 9 The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips
23/54-1P PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 11 R A S Offer Philip Hobbs
P06-350 PASS ME BY 10 Paul Beck Suzy Smith
4B0-400 PATSY HALL (IRE) 9 Thomas Mooney Partnership Tony Martin IRE
33-4F0F PIRAYA (FR) 6 Terry Neill David Pipe
0U0134 POMME TIEPY (FR) 6 Mrs S Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
140-0F1 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 9 John D O'Donohue Gerard O'Leary IRE
0P0/03-0 PUNTAL (FR) 13 Terry Neill David Pipe
46-5651 RAMBLING MINSTER 11 The Lingdale Optimists Keith Reveley
F0612/-P REVEILLEZ 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
225-13P ROLL ALONG (IRE) 9 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Carl Llewellyn
53PP56- ROYAL ROSA (FR) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
41/F400- SANDHURST (IRE) 9 John Duddy Edgar Byrne IRE
63-3540 SEA DIVA (IRE) 9 C J O'Reilly/D Barker/R Lubner Dessie Hughes IRE
421101 SEYMOUR WELD 9 Charles Pogson Charles Pogson
F/02421/- SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 12 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE
2314-64 SILVERBURN (IRE) 8 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
2U4U-40 SIMON 10 Mercy Rimell John Spearing
31320P SNOOPY LOOPY (IRE) 11 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Peter Bowen
332-56F SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 9 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
5F/-06U3 SOUTHERN VIC (IRE) 10 Mrs B Graham Ted Walsh IRE
4-2P51P STAN (NZ) 10 Paul Beck Venetia Williams
11/3-024 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 8 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
2560-14 STATE OF PLAY 9 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams
210123- TOM SAYERS (IRE) 11 Capt. E J Edwards-Heathcote Philip Hobbs
1221/1//-P TRABOLGAN (IRE) 11 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
26U-344 TUMBLING DICE (IRE) 10 Mrs John Donegan Tom Taaffe IRE
23/-1132 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
P4220-0 WITHOUT A DOUBT 10 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
1P1F//PP- YOU'RE SPECIAL (USA) 12 Diane O' Rourke Ferdy Murphy
0/232P5/- ZABENZ (NZ) 12 Sarah Hobbs Philip Hobbs
123 Entries
35 Irish-trained
1 French-trained