Thursday, January 27, 2005

RECORD PRIZE MONEY ATTRACTS RECORD ENTRIES FOR FIRST JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL

There were 122 entries in 2004 and the previous high was 149 in 2003, with the number of entries before that being 2002-144, 2001-133, 2000-108, 1999-103, 1998-103, 1997-102, 1996-82, 1995-82, 1994-98, 1993-97, 1992-104, 1991-85, 1990-90, 1989-96, 1988-105, 1987-98, 1986-109 and 1985-100.

The John Smith's Grand National has record prize money of £700,000, up £100,000 on 2004, and features the first seven home from last year's great race - the Ginger McCain-trained winner Amberleigh House, Clan Royal (2nd), Lord Atterbury (3rd), 2003 winner Monty's Pass (4th), Spot Thedifference (5th), Smarty (6th) and Ardent Scout (7th). Bindaree, the 2002 hero, is the third previous winner entered, while the 2003 second and fourth, Supreme Glory and Gunner Welburn, are also entered.

Novice Ollie Magern, Sir Rembrandt, Ballycassidy, Grey Abbey and Royal Auclair, who are all set to contest Saturday's Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham, have been entered alongside other highly-rated chasers such as Celestial Gold, First Gold, one of four French-trained entries, Flagship Uberalles, Native Upmanship, One Knight, Truckers Tavern, Valley Henry and novice Baron Windrush, like Ollie Magern trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.

There are 36 entries from Ireland, another record (the previous highest was 34 in 2003), including the Trevor Hemmings-owned Hedgehunter, who was third when falling at the final fence in 2004, Timbera, an 11th hour absentee from last year's race, Clan Royal, Davids Lad, Le Coudray, Monty's Pass, Native Upmanship, Rince Ri and Spot Thedifference.

J P McManus came within three lengths of winning the 2004 Grand National with Clan Royal and owns no less than 19 of this year's entries while locally-born Hemmings, whose greatest ambition is to win the John Smith's Grand National, has six engaged.

The totesport Becher Chase winner Silver Birch, the current ante-post favourite for the John Smith's Grand National, is one of seven entries for trainer Paul Nicholls, while other leading contenders include Joly Bey, who is ridden by his amateur owner David Dunsdon, Forest Gunner, winner of last year's John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase and this season's betfair.com Grand Sefton Handicap, and the Scottish-trained Strong Resolve.

The weights for the 2005 John Smith's Grand National, run over four and a half miles and 30 fences, will be announced on Tuesday, February 8, at 11am.

Charles Barnett, Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse, commented: "This is an exciting year for the John Smith's Grand National with both a new sponsor and a major increase in prize money so we are delighted to see this record number of entries including so many with strong claims from Britain, Ireland and France."

New John Smith's Grand National Event Logo Launched

The new John Smith's Grand National event logo was launched on Wednesday, January 26, the date entries for the 2005 Grand National closed.

The logo celebrates the partnership between the John Smith's brand and the world's most famous steeplechase.

It communicates this by showing the John Smith's magnet trademark being attracted to a symbolic horse shoe.

The John Smith's brand logo shape is reflected in shape with the Grand National winner's ribbon device to make a distinctive and compact logo.

The logo appears in the John Smith's colours with the addition of metallic silver to adding prestige for such a special meeting as the Grand National.

The event logo will appear everywhere at the Grand National meeting including: on billboards, signage, literature and merchandise as well as horses and jockeys' livery.

THE JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL

Class A, Grade 3, Handicap Chase, Total Prize Fund £700,000. 3.45pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 9, 2005. Four miles, about four furlongs (over the Grand National course). For 6-y-o and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the Senior BHB NH Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 6. Horses, which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 26, 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 6 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 6. At the Handicapper's discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the Senior BHB NH Handicapper shall be final. Entries closed January 26, entries revealed January 27 (152 entries), first forfeit stage February 22, second forfeit stage March 22, five-day confirmation stage April 4, final declaration stage, 10.00am, April 7. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, January 25. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1U11/54- A PIECE OF CAKE (IRE) 12 Lightbody Celebration Cakes Ltd Jim Goldie
1/66F-54 AD HOC (IRE) 11 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
2/FPF-00 AKARUS (FR) 10 Arthur White Martin Pipe
60420F- ALEXANDER BANQUET (IRE) 12 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE
P51-045 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE) 13 Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain
4-60200 ARCTIC COPPER (IRE) 11 Grand Alliance Racing Club Noel Meade IRE
32U5P3 ARDENT SCOUT 13 Alicia W S Skene Sue Smith
FP-P00U ARTIC JACK (FR) 9 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
43-0450 ASTONVILLE (FR) 11 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
P4P/21-U BALLYBOUGH RASHER (IRE) 10 B D R Partnership Howard Johnson
1112P-2 BALLYCASSIDY (IRE) 9 R Owen & P Fullagar Peter Bowen
UU1621 BARON WINDRUSH 7 The Double Octagon Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
1P-6P11 BATHWICK ANNIE 9 W Clifford Paul Keane
160650 BATMAN SENORA (FR) 9 G Polinski Ian Williams
33F-221 BE MY BETTER HALF(IRE) 10 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
1PP-P56 BE MY MANAGER (IRE) 10 Brian Murfin Martin Todhunter
11D/-3F5 BE MY ROYAL (IRE) 11 Dr David Chapman-Jones Tom George
216F-56 BINDAREE (IRE) 11 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
F0-U050 BOUNCE BACK (USA) 9 Belinda Harvey Martin Pipe
P-62211 BOY'S HURRAH (IRE) 9 Woolpack Farm Partnership Howard Johnson
533260 BRIGHT APPROACH (IRE) 12 J H Burbidge Grant Cann
21-0005 CASSIA HEIGHTS 10 B Ridge & D Hewitt Steve Brookshaw
3321-11 CELESTIAL GOLD (IRE) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
411/12-4 CLAN ROYAL (FR) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
41F-1P2 COLNEL RAYBURN (IRE) 9 Thatch (Ferns) Racing Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
21-2111 COLONEL FRANK 8 The Hambledon Hunters Brendan Powell
3412//P-5 CRUISE THE FAIRWAY (IRE) 9 R J T 290 Limited Brendan Powell
10PF-P4 DARK ROOM (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
153000 DAVIDS LAD (IRE) 11 Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
32P-22U DESAILLY 11 The Team Jonathan Geake
135443 DOUBLE HONOUR (FR) 7 The 4th Middleham Partnership Philip Hobbs
31/223- DROMBEAG (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
0P133F EUROPA 9 Trevor Hemmings Ferdy Murphy
4000U5 FARINEL 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
311115 FASHIONS MONTY (IRE) 9 Brian Mulholland Ferdy Murphy
52-3052 FIRST GOLD (FR) 12 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
322P-55 FLAGSHIP UBERALLES (IRE) 11 J P McManus Philip Hobbs
0/P3010- FOLY PLEASANT (FR) 11 Nick Shutts Nick Shutts
34F-000 FONDMORT (FR) 9 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
12/315-1 FOREST GUNNER 11 John Gilsenan Richard Ford
0/P40-51 FREETOWN (IRE) 9 Miss S Blumberg & R Nairn Len Lungo
13//-3P34 FRENCHMAN'S CREEK 11 Rory Sweet & Panda Christie Hughie Morrison
046100 GARVIVONNIAN (IRE) 10 Mrs A Long Edward Mitchell IRE
00-4603 GLENELLY GALE (IRE) 11 Frank Bradley Arthur Moore IRE
41F-P3U GRANIT D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 11 Walter Gott Ferdy Murphy
P/6111-1 GREY ABBEY (IRE) 11 The Roper Family and Norman Furness Howard Johnson
120-011 GROUND BALL (IRE) 8 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
P1P-535 GUNNER WELBURN 13 William Ritson/David Hall/R D Ellis Andrew Balding
25-1251 GUNTHER MCBRIDE (IRE) 10 Mike Tuckey Philip Hobbs
11U0/5-4 HALEXY (FR) 10 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
P14503 HAUT DE GAMME (FR) 10 The Haut De Gamme Partnership Ferdy Murphy
50UF-PP HEART MIDOLTIAN (FR) 8 Mrs S Neville Martin Pipe
1F-0240 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE
3P/32B1- HERMES III (FR) 10 The Dover Street Boys Mick Easterby
241-030 HEROIC (IRE) 9 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
31111//-5 HEROS COLLONGES (FR) 10 John Hales Paul Nicholls
0P-PP02 HERSOV (IRE) 9 Sin Sceal Eile Syndicate Paul Roche IRE
6/-34300 HISTORG (FR) 10 Jim McCarthy Ferdy Murphy
151-01P HISTORIC (IRE) 9 Mrs Robin Rumboll Tom George
21PP0-2 HUNTERS TWEED 9 Trevor Hemmings Peter Beaumont
6/411-P0 INDIAN CHANCE 11 Chris and Stella Watson and Jock Cullen Dr Jeremy Naylor
660302 INNOX (FR) 9 Marquesa de Moratalla Francois Doumen FR
5P-5543 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 11 David Johnson Martin Pipe
6PPP-P1 ITSONLYME (IRE) 12 Mel Davies Venetia Williams
P132F6- IZNOGOUD (FR) 9 The County Stores and Avalon Surfacing Martin Pipe
F-30140 JACK HIGH (IRE) 10 Brenda Ross Ted Walsh IRE
115103- JAKARI (FR) 8 The Earl Cadogan Henry Daly
15F-054 JOLY BEY (FR) 8 David Dunsdon Nick Gifford
4521F-0 JURANCON II (FR) 8 David Johnson Martin Pipe
1UP-012 JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 9 J W Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
534000 JUST IN TIME 10 James Clements Lucy Normile
F31522 JUVEIGNEUR (FR) 8 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
2626F0 KAMILLO (FR) 7 J Hayoz Francois Cottin FR
5/U136-3 KEEN LEADER (IRE) 9 Adair Catherwood Jonjo O'Neill
0003F4 KELAMI (FR) 7 Halewood International Ltd Francois Doumen FR
113/1//5-4 KING ON THE RUN (IRE) 12 Lady Harris Venetia Williams
06334-3 KNIFE EDGE (USA) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
1122/-00 KNOCK KNOCK (IRE) 8 Mrs D P Magnier David Wachman IRE
12-0F32 KYMANDJEN (IRE) 8 Robert Hodgins Paul Nolan IRE
110246 L'AVENTURE (FR) 6 C J Harriman Paul Nicholls
1P-PP04 LANMIRE GLEN (IRE) 8 William Browne Francis Flood IRE
611-33F LATITUDE (FR) 6 Neil Edwards Martin Pipe
F4/422F- LE COUDRAY (FR) 11 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
F45212 LINCAM (IRE) 9 Miss R H M Camlin Charlie Swan IRE
1132-2P LONGSHANKS 8 Alan Halsall Kim Bailey
11/1P3-4 LORD ATTERBURY (IRE) 9 David Johnson Olivia Jackson
1P-23PP LORD NOELIE (IRE) 12 Executive Racing Bridget Nicholls
122111 LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE) 8 P J Kennedy Tom George
4PF3/20- LORD OF THE TURF (IRE) 12 J F O'Malley John Bleahen IRE
B-P0233 MACS GILDORAN 11 Margaret McManus Willie Mullins IRE
22P-215 MAJED (FR) 9 Lucy Normile Lucy Normile
22-0031 MARCUS DU BERLAIS (FR) 8 Marcus Beresford Arthur Moore IRE
2P-3P1P MERCHANTS FRIEND (IRE) 10 Magic Moments Charlie Mann
0P-F061 MINI SENSATION (IRE) 12 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
1263PF MONDIAL JACK (FR) 6 Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II Martin Pipe
063P6P MONTREAL (FR) 8 David Johnson Martin Pipe
0004-3F MONTY'S PASS (IRE) 12 Dee Racing Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
40-1S41 MULTEEN RIVER (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
121P-05 NATIVE EMPEROR 9 J C, J R and S R Hitchins Jonjo O'Neill
114-0P2 NATIVE JACK (IRE) 11 Mrs F Carroll Arthur Moore IRE
023-F00 NATIVE SESSIONS (IRE) 10 R D Murphy Noel Meade IRE
133-443 NATIVE UPMANSHIP (IRE) 12 Sue Magnier Arthur Moore IRE
0/30011- NEARLY A MOOSE (IRE) 9 Michael McGinley Paddy Mullins IRE
0/1112F- NEVER COMPROMISE (IRE) 10 Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh IRE
13-4P5S NIL DESPERANDUM (IRE) 8 Mike Shone Frances Crowley IRE
111421 OLLIE MAGERN 7 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
3111/F-1 ONE KNIGHT (IRE) 9 Robert Gibbs Philip Hobbs
11/2P-43 ONLY ONCE 10 Group Captain J A Prideaux Howard Johnson
5443F0 OVER THE FIRST (IRE) 10 Trotters Ind Trading Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
510P/-1P PAXFORD JACK 9 Ruth Nelmes Milton Harris
31-1205 POLAR RED 8 Lady Clarke Martin Pipe
4P-0456 PRESENT BLEU (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
5UU1-60 PUNTAL (FR) 9 Terry Neill Martin Pipe
1-4P RAND (NZ) 11 E J Cleary Noel Meade IRE
022U/-P0 RED STRIKER 11 Norman Mason Richard Guest
3F223-4 RINCE RI (IRE) 12 Frank Moriarty Ted Walsh IRE
232120 RISK ACCESSOR (IRE) 10 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
PP-36P3 ROYAL ATALZA (FR) 8 Terry Ramsden Geoff Huffer
302-132 ROYAL AUCLAIR (FR) 8 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
31/65-44 RYALUX (IRE) 12 James Lomas Andy Crook
3F/1F-U0 SCOTS GREY 10 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
510-226 SEEBALD (GER) 10 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
F132/5-4 SHAMAWAN (IRE) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
110-156 SHERKIN ISLAND (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
2/1P5/-0P SHOTGUN WILLY (IRE) 11 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
24P-111 SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 8 Paul Barber and Des Nichols Paul Nicholls
U41-054 SIMPLY GIFTED 10 Steve Hammond Jonjo O'Neill
P62-242 SIR REMBRANDT (IRE) 9 A Hordle Robert Alner
065-236 SMARTY (IRE) 12 Tracy Brown Mark Pitman
000066 SNOWY FORD (IRE) 8 R V Shaw Patrick Chamings
P0U1FP SOLAR SYSTEM (IRE) 8 Zodiac Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE
402151 SOLARIUS (FR) 8 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
05/-3441 SPINOFSKI 10 David Stoddart Paul Webber
55-1011 SPOT THEDIFFERENCE (IRE) 12 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
11P//-154 SPRING MARGOT (FR) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
462112 STRONG RESOLVE (IRE) 9 Fair City Flyers Lucinda Russell
P502/-0P SUPREME GLORY (IRE) 12 Chris Moorsom Pat Murphy
612600 SWANSEA BAY 9 W J Evans Peter Bowen
126PF3 TAKE THE STAND (IRE) 9 The Courters Peter Bowen
11P//3P-0 THIS IS SERIOUS (IRE) 11 Granit City Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
1/5555-2 TIMBERA (IRE) 11 Josephine Breen Dessie Hughes IRE
14-3026 TIPSY MOUSE (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
P2P-121 TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (IRE) 9 John French Tom George
UP-4414 TRUCKERS TAVERN (IRE) 10 Margaret Scholey Ferdy Murphy
62-4120 TURNIUM (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
4/F3FP6- VALLEY HENRY (IRE) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
50FP-30 VENN OTTERY 10 Oliver Carter Oliver Carter
100F2-6 WHEREAREYOUNOW (IRE) 8 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
504206 WILD TEMPO (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
3-20000 WINNING DREAM (IRE) 11 Mrs C McKiernan Oliver McKiernan IRE
0/121P-0 WORLD WIDE WEB (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
222-315 YOU'RE SPECIAL (USA) 8 Les Buckley Patrick Haslam

152 entries
36 Irish-trained
4 French-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with past successes in the John Smith's Grand National

14 Entries
Jonjo O'Neill
Clan Royal
Dark Room
Drombeag
Farinel
Halexy
Keen Leader
Knife Edge
Mini Sensation
Multeen River
Native Emperor
Shamawan
Sherkin Island
Simply Gifted
World Wide Web

13 Entries
Martin Pipe (1994 Miinnehoma)
Akarus
Bounce Back
Celestial Gold
Heart Midoltian
It Takes Time
Iznogoud
Jurancon II
Latitude
Mondial Jack
Montreal
Polar Red
Puntal
Seebald

7 Entries
Paul Nicholls
Ad Hoc
Heros Collonges
L'Aventure
Royal Auclair
Shotgun Willy
Silver Birch
Spring Margot

6 Entries
Ferdy Murphy
Europa
Fashions Monty
Granit D'Estruval
Haut De Gamme
Historg
Truckers Tavern

5 Entries
Howard Johnson
Ballybough Rasher
Boy's Hurrah
Grey Abbey
Only Once
Valley Henry

Arthur Moore IRE
Be My Better Half
Glenelly Gale
Marcus Du Berlais
Native Jack
Native Upmanship

Michael Scudamore
Astonville
Present Bleu
Solarius
Turnium
Wild Tempo

Charlie Swan IRE
Ground Ball
Heroic
Lincam
Over The First
This Is Serious

4 Entries
Tom George
Be My Royal
Historic
Lord Of Illusion
Toulouse-Lautrec

Philip Hobbs
Double Honour
Flagship Uberalles
Gunther McBride
One Knight

Nigel Twiston-Davies
(1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)
Baron Windrush
Bindaree
Ollie Magern
Whereareyounow

3 Entries
Peter Bowen
Ballycassidy
Swansea Bay
Take The Stand

Francois Doumen FR
First Gold
Innox
Kelami

Nicky Henderson
Fondmort
Juveigneur
Scots Grey

Noel Meade IRE
Arctic Copper
Native Sessions
Rand

Willie Mullins IRE
Alexander Banquet
Hedgehunter
Macs Gildoran

Sue Smith
Ardent Scout
Artic Jack
Tipsy Mouse

Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)
Jack High
Never Compromise
Rince Ri

2 Entries
Paul Nolan IRE
Colnel Rayburn
Kymandjen

Lucy Normile
Just In Time
Majed

Brendan Powell
Colonel Frank
Cruise The Fairway

Christy Roche IRE
Le Coudray
Risk Accessor

Martin Todhunter
Be My Manager
Just In Debt

Venetia Williams
Itsonlyme
King On The Run

1 Entry
Robert Alner
Sir Rembrandt

Kim Bailey (1990 Mr Frisk)
Longshanks

Andrew Balding
Gunner Welburn

Peter Beaumont
Hunters Tweed

John Bleahen IRE
Lord Of The Turf

Enda Bolger IRE
Spot Thedifference

Steve Brookshaw (1997 Lord Gyllene)
Cassia Heights

Grant Cann
Bright Approach

Oliver Carter
Venn Ottery

Pat Chamings
Snowy Ford

Francois Cottin FR
Kamillo

Andy Crook
Ryalux

Frances Crowley IRE
Nil Desperandum

Henry Daly
Jakari

Mick Easterby
Hermes III

Francis Flood IRE
Lanmire Glen

Richard Ford
Forest Gunner

Jonathan Geake
Desailly

Nick Gifford
Joly Bey

Jim Goldie
A Piece Of Cake

Richard Guest
Red Striker

Milton Harris
Paxford Jack

Patrick Haslam
You're Special

Geoff Huffer
Royal Atalza

Dessie Hughes IRE
Timbera

Olivia Jackson
Lord Atterbury

Paul Keane
Bathwick Annie

Len Lungo
Freetown

Jimmy Mangan IRE (2003 Monty's Pass)
Monty's Pass

Charlie Mann
Merchants Friend

Tony Martin IRE
Davids Lad

Ginger McCain (1973, 1974 & 1977 Red Rum, 2004 Amberleigh House)
Amberleigh House

Oliver McKiernam IRE
Winning Dream

Edward Mitchell IRE
Garvivonnian

Hughie Morrison
Frenchmans Creek

Paddy Mullins IRE
Nearly A Moose

Pat Murphy
Supreme Glory

Dr Jeremy Naylor
Indian Chance

Bridget Nicholls
Lord Noelie

Mark Pitman
Smarty

Paul Roche IRE
Hersov

Lucinda Russell
Strong Resolve

Nick Shutts
Foly Pleasant

Tom Taaffe IRE
Solar System

David Wachman IRE
Knock Knock

Paul Webber
Spinofski

Ian Willaims
Batman Senora

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