MEADE AND TODHUNTER CONSIDER JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL OPTIONS
Noel Meade and Martin Todhunter are mulling over their options following last week’s publication of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National, to be run at Aintree on Saturday, April 8.
Champion Irish jump trainer Meade could be double-handed, with Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup hero Sir Oj a possible for the £700,000 showpiece, alongside stablemate and 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot, while Todhunter is looking forward to running Just In Debt.
Sir Oj, who has been allotted 10st 8lb in the Aintree showpiece, has not been seen since landing the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at Cheltenham on December 10, when the nine-year-old produced a storming late burst to collar Le Passing close home.
Meade revealed today: “The plan for Sir Oj is to go for the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham first. We’ll see how he gets on there and then we’ll consider the John Smith’s Grand National.
“If we decide to go to Aintree, I think he’ll be a live contender. He’s got a lot of class, jumps really well, and Paul Carberry (regular partner) and myself think he will stay - he could be the ideal horse for the National.”
Meade continued: “He hasn’t run since winning the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup, although he has been entered up elsewhere only for the weather to intervene. He’s in good form though and I’m happy with his allotted weight. Anything other than sticky ground will suit him.”
Also under consideration for the John Smith’s Grand National is Harbour Pilot, who has been asked to carry 11st 1lb by the handicapper.
The 11-year-old, who finished third behind Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in both 2003 and 2004, followed a season out through injury with a comeback point-to-point win at Tinahely in January, before running second to General Montcalm in a hunter chase at Leopardstown on February 12.
The Co Meath handler said: “Harbour Pilot will be aimed at the Foxhunters’ at Cheltenham. After that we’ll make up our minds about whether or not he heads for the National.
“He missed most of last season, won a point-to-point comfortably on his return, and then finished a beaten favourite at Leopardstown last time. I was slightly disappointed with that effort although he hadn’t worked that well beforehand, and probably needed it. He’s come on well for the run though and we’ve been very happy with him since.
“The trip shouldn’t be a problem for him - he’s a real stayer - and he handles most ground, although he wouldn’t want it quick. He’s not certain to run however and the Irish National could be a more realistic target.”
Cumbria-based trainer Todhunter, who sent out Kingsmark to finish fourth in the 2002 Grand National, is hoping that the 10st 2lb allotted by BHB handicapper Phil Smith will be enough to see his 10-year-old Just In Debt make the starting line for the third year running in the four and a half mile John Smith’s Grand National.
Todhunter revealed: “He’s definitely on course for the John Smith’s Grand National and I hope to run him in the Borders National at Kelso on March 4. He’ll have at least one prep run, possibly two, and he’s entered in a couple of races at Cheltenham just in case.”
As well as his two Grand National efforts, Just In Debt has twice been in the frame in the totesport Becher Chase over the Grand National course, finishing second to Silver Birch in 2004 and third behind Garvivonnian in November.
Todhunter commented: “The big Aintree fences bring out the best in him and he’s only been beaten a length each time in the totesport Becher Chase. He travelled very well in the John Smith’s Grand National last year but I think my horses weren’t 100 per cent right at the time, either that or he doesn’t stay the extra half mile, because crossing the Melling Road he was cantering.”
Just In Debt finished ninth behind Hedgehunter last term, an improved effort after his troubled passage in 2004 when the gelding was hampered and then unseated Jim Culloty at the 23rd fence. He was last seen in December when sixth to Ivoire De Beaulieu over Cheltenham’s cross-country course.
The Penrith handler reported: “I was happy enough with his last run in the Sporting Index cross-country race, and the plan was always to give him a winter break and start again in the spring.
“The John Smith’s Grand National has always been the target for him and if he stays I’ll be expecting a very good run. He wouldn’t mind the ground coming up quick - the quicker the better for him.”
The John Smith’s Grand National is the highlight of the three-day Aintree Festival that commences on Thursday, April 6.
There are 148 entries for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National, for which the weights were revealed on February 14. The first forfeit stage takes place on Tuesday, February 28.
THE JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, Handicap Chase, Total Prize Fund £700,000. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 8, 2006. 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 12. Horses, which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 1, 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 12. 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 February 1, entries revealed February 2 (148 entries), weights revealed February 14, first forfeit stage February 28, second forfeit stage March 21, five-day confirmation stage April 3, final declaration stage, 10.00am, April 6. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, February 20. May not include some overseas form.
Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
3-12242 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 9-11-12 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs
42F-5152 ROYAL AUCLAIR (FR) 9-11-10 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
0611-042 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 10-11-10 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE
3-23114 HI CLOY (IRE) 9-11-09 Susan McCloy Michael Hourigan IRE
02P-4B13 FONDMORT (FR) 10-11-08 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
1332-33 CORNISH REBEL (IRE) 9-11-07 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
330-001 THEREALBANDIT (IRE) 9-11-07 David Johnson Martin Pipe
111/F/1-FU ONE KNIGHT (IRE) 10-11-07 R Gibbs Philip Hobbs
112F-1BF JOAACI (IRE) 6-11-06 David Johnson Martin Pipe
1042-404 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 12-11-06 David Johnson Martin Pipe
225-500 LE ROI MIGUEL (FR) 8-11-05 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
U12-1064 OLLIE MAGERN 8-11-04 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
4-16134 LACDOUDAL (FR) 7-11-03 Carol Skan Philip Hobbs
2///1P-411P EUROTREK (IRE) 10-11-02 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
F2P6-4P COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 7-11-02 David Johnson Martin Pipe
0U3/24P-2 HARBOUR PILOT (IRE) 11-11-01 Kays Syndicate Noel Meade IRE
0P40-P0P CHIVES (IRE) 11-11-00 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
52461-20 TIKRAM 9-11-00 Mike Charlton & Rodger Sargent Gary Moore
111U/2P- CALLING BRAVE (IRE) 10-11-00 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
3P-PPF23 SIR REMBRANDT (IRE) 10-10-13 Alan Hordle Robert Alner
1-340253 NATIVE UPMANSHIP (IRE) 13-10-12 Sue Magnier Arthur Moore IRE
3P-12442 CELTIC SON (FR) 7-10-12 David Johnson Martin Pipe
P4-U0P0 SEEBALD (GER) 11-10-11 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
F1-40443 GROUND BALL (IRE) 9-10-11 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
103-534 NED KELLY (IRE) 10-10-11 Sue Magnier Edward O'Grady IRE
0210-01 INNOX (FR) 10-10-11 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
4P/111-4P SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 9-10-10 Paul Barber & Des Nichols Paul Nicholls
4111F3 EURO LEADER (IRE) 8-10-10 John Cox Willie Mullins IRE
311214 WHISPERED SECRET (GER) 7-10-10 David Manasseh and Dan Levine Martin Pipe
65-0450 RINCE RI (IRE) 13-10-10 Frank Moriarty Ted Walsh IRE
5UU1/60- PUNTAL (FR) 10-10-10 Terry Neill Martin Pipe
111-P02 LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE) 9-10-09 P J Kennedy Tom George
1P00-5P JOLY BEY (FR) 9-10-09 David Dunsdon Nick Gifford
R1P-630 GARDE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 12-10-09 Judith Wilson Martin Pipe
264F100 DOUBLE HONOUR (FR) 8-10-08 The 4th Middleham Partnership Philip Hobbs
1401F10 EBONY LIGHT (IRE) 10-10-08 Roger Bellamy Ginger McCain
113U-21 GRAPHIC APPROACH (IRE) 8-10-08 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Charles Egerton
2P2-5PUP FIRST GOLD (FR) 13-10-08 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
12/4C-53 CLAN ROYAL (FR) 11-10-08 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
330-02U LE DUC (FR) 7-10-08 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
504-651 SIR OJ (IRE) 9-10-08 Brian Keenan Noel Meade IRE
440-6415 L'AVENTURE (FR) 7-10-08 Chris Harriman Paul Nicholls
0-0P252 EUROPA 10-10-08 Trevor Hemmings Ferdy Murphy
115-UPP FOREST GUNNER 12-10-08 John Gilsenan Richard Ford
1-2U044 JOES EDGE (IRE) 9-10-08 Chemipetro Limited Ferdy Murphy
46-3253 MADE IN JAPAN (JPN) 6-10-07 Terry Evans Philip Hobbs
22102-FP JUVEIGNEUR (FR) 9-10-07 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
2000-1P0 IRIS BLEU (FR) 10-10-07 David Johnson Martin Pipe
400-P500 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE) 14-10-07 Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain
1130503 BALLYCASSIDY (IRE) 10-10-07 R Owen & P Fullagar Peter Bowen
10-5615 INCA TRAIL (IRE) 10-10-07 Susie Chown & Kathy Stuart Paul Nicholls
006513 GARVIVONNIAN (IRE) 11-10-06 Mrs A Long Ned Mitchell IRE
1-504B44 NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (IRE) 10-10-06 O B P Carroll Martin Brassil IRE
11FP-24 BACKBEAT (IRE) 9-10-06 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
F6/0200- IZNOGOUD (FR) 10-10-06 The County Stores and Avalon Surfacing Martin Pipe
1-304535 JACK HIGH (IRE) 11-10-05 Brenda Ross Ted Walsh IRE
2-253615 HAUT DE GAMME (FR) 11-10-05 The Haut De Gamme Partnership Ferdy Murphy
416-00P4 NIL DESPERANDUM (IRE) 9-10-05 Mike Shone Frances Crowley IRE
F413-004 ANOTHER RUM (IRE) 8-10-05 Ronald Lilley Ian Duncan IRE
16216-P BARON WINDRUSH 8-10-05 The Double Octagon Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
32/14-01 A GLASS IN THYNE (IRE) 8-10-05 J B Dale Ben Pollock
51P0-62 HEROS COLLONGES (FR) 11-10-05 John Hales Paul Nicholls
101PP/-64 TYNEANDTHYNEAGAIN 11-10-05 Howard Johnson Howard Johnson
U-2P62S RISK ACCESSOR (IRE) 11-10-04 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
P4/14-F1 DIRECT ACCESS (IRE) 11-10-04 The Direct Access Partnership Nicky Richards
235P-25 COLNEL RAYBURN (IRE) 10-10-04 Thatch (Ferns) Racing Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
11P2/-60F5 IRIS ROYAL (FR) 10-10-04 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
3P/32B1/- HERMES III (FR) 11-10-03 Lord Daresbury Mick Easterby
0UP22-P2 ROYAL EMPEROR (IRE) 10-10-03 Widdop Wanderers Sue Smith
256-21P KYMANDJEN (IRE) 9-10-03 Martin Doran Paul Nolan IRE
1P5//0PP- SHOTGUN WILLY (IRE) 12-10-03 Paul Beck Richard Guest
21411F ROSS COMM 10-10-03 Kevin Treanor Sue Smith
10-01006 SPOT THEDIFFERENCE (IRE) 13-10-03 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
1P3/44F-P LORD ATTERBURY (IRE) 10-10-02 David Johnson Martin Pipe
B11513 TAMANGO (FR) 9-10-02 The Brushmakers Phlip Hobbs
P0-0P36 JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 10-10-02 J W Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
03U-00P MARCUS DU BERLAIS (FR) 9-10-02 Marcus Beresford Arthur Moore IRE
2214/-33 PATRICKSNINETEENTH (IRE) 9-10-02 The Large G & T Partnership Paul Webber
1220-PP ZETA'S RIVER (IRE) 8-10-02 David Johnson Martin Pipe
16-F111 IVOIRE DE BEAULIEU (FR) 10-10-01 I Todd & F Murphy Ferdy Murphy
111122 HAKIM (NZ) 12-10-00 T N Siviter John Spearing
010/22F-3 FOLY PLEASANT (FR) 12-10-00 Nick Shutts Karen Waldron
410-0U5 LIBERTHINE (FR) 7-10-00 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
334/3PP-4 KNIFE EDGE (USA) 11-10-00 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
12P4/14- JOE BLAKE (IRE) 11-10-00 Ronnie Bartlett Ian Ferguson IRE
PP-30U3 CONTROL MAN (IRE) 8-9-13 David Johnson Martin Pipe
4110-0P JOHN JAMES (IRE) 10-9-13 Mrs M Cogan Homer Scott IRE
P0-62515 WAIN MOUNTAIN 10-9-13 W J Smith and M D Dudley Jim Old
2/P0020- BONEYARROW (IRE) 10-9-13 Joseph Comerford Eoin Griffin IRE
104-13P RED GEORGIE (IRE) 8-9-13 M P Wareing Nigel Twiston-Davies
110-0BP2 PHILSON RUN (IRE) 10-9-13 Gale Force One Nick Williams
3/P-5050 MONTAYRAL (FR) 9-9-13 T Mannion Pat Hughes IRE
330346 ALCAPONE (IRE) 12-9-12 Anne Daly Mouse Morris IRE
F-P2032 ROSS RIVER 10-9-12 Seamus Ross Tony Martin IRE
212226 COLJON (IRE) 8-9-12 Kay Browne Paul Nolan IRE
0/41200-0 THE LAST CAST 7-9-12 D P Barrie Paul Webber
4-0PP2R TRIBAL VENTURE (FR) 8-9-12 Hill, Trembath, Bryan and Outhart Ferdy Murphy
11F-3F1 WINDSOR BOY (IRE) 9-9-12 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Martin Pipe
11/-0P10 LORD MAIZEY (IRE) 9-9-11 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Nigel Twiston-Davies
56-4631 KORELO (FR) 8-9-11 David Johnson Martin Pipe
15130-P4 KEEPATEM (IRE) 10-9-11 J P McManus Mouse Morris IRE
42U0/-PP SHARDAM (IRE) 9-9-11 Howard Parker Nigel Twiston-Davies
511111 DUN DOIRE (IRE) 7-9-11 Dunderry Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
5F2-120 LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 10-9-10 Favourites Racing Willie Mullins IRE
221F121 DUNBRODY MILLAR (IRE) 8-9-10 Dundon Else Partnership Peter Bowen
64-2234 LOU DU MOULIN MAS (FR) 7-9-10 The Eight Amigos Racing Syndicate Paul Nicholls
1/4P- RAND (NZ) 12-9-09 E J Cleary Noel Meade IRE
0-3FB124 BE MY BETTER HALF (IRE) 11-9-09 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
220-46P SUPREME DEVELOPER (IRE) 9-9-09 Mrs A N Durkan Ferdy Murphy
0/5/4-23F0 HALEXY (FR) 11-9-09 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
12-P32P WRAGS TO RICHES (IRE) 9-9-09 No Illusions Partnership Jimmy Frost
421111P WHAT A NATIVE (IRE) 10-9-08 M McKeon Charle Swan IRE
0006-P0 POLAR RED 9-9-08 Lady Clarke Martin Pipe
U-1411F6 DEAD-EYED DICK (IRE) 10-9-08 Jane Williams Nick Williams
50-6000 POINT BARROW (IRE) 8-9-08 Mrs P Clune Hughes Pat Hughes IRE
411P4P DANGEROUSDANMAGRU (IRE) 10-9-07 N F Glynn Alan Jones
32P/22U- DESAILLY 12-9-07 The Team Jonathan Geake
112033R A NEW STORY (IRE) 8-9-06 Storey's Over Syndicate Michael Hourigan IRE
U050-P0 BOUNCE BACK (USA) 10-9-05 Belinda Harvey Martin Pipe
20-P2F06 STRONG RESOLVE (IRE) 10-9-05 Fair City Flyers Lucinda Russell
P0P-426 ARTIC JACK (FR) 10-9-05 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
142P22 BRAVE SPIRIT (FR) 8-9-04 The Con Club Colin Tizzard
6P102PB NOWATOR (POL) 9-9-04 Naughty Diesel Ltd Robert Gray
1PF-043 COWBOYBOOTS (IRE) 8-9-04 David Gower Lawrence Wells
20P0-PP TURNIUM (FR) 11-9-04 Fergus Wilson Phillippe Cottin FR
6-2400P HOWAYA PET (IRE) 10-9-03 Beautiful Syndicate Gerard Keane IRE
266-1260 MIOCHE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 6-9-02 Joe Moran Martin Pipe
P/0U-05P3 WORLD WIDE WEB (IRE) 10-9-02 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
P00P-FP ASTONVILLE (FR) 12-9-02 Fergus Wilson Phillippe Cottin FR
10-30000 WHAT ODDS (IRE) 10-9-01 Dee Racing Syndicate Tucker Geraghty IRE
13-1123 MONTEREY BAY (IRE) 10-9-01 John Power Frances Crowley IRE
40224-F KING ON THE RUN (IRE) 13-9-01 Lady Harris Venetia Williams
U624P5 FIORI 10-9-00 Wilson Imports I Patrick Haslam
31/223/-1 DROMBEAG (IRE) 8-9-00 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
232-311 MRS BE (IRE) 10-9-00 J H Burbidge Grant Cann
34113///-45 BIG-AND-BOLD (IRE) 10-8-13 The Border Reivers Nicky Richards
56PF-P0 PRESENT BLEU (FR) 11-8-12 Judith Wilson Martin Pipe
022U//P0-3 RED STRIKER 12-8-12 Howard Thompson Tina Jackson
520/-1P4F BERTIEBANOO (IRE) 8-8-09 P A Newey Martin Pipe
464/U06//- OA BALDIXE (FR) 12-8-08 Kahlil Burke Kahlil Burke
3305100 CASSIA HEIGHTS 11-8-08 B Ridge & D Hewitt Steve Brookshaw
312004 TOTHEROADYOUVGONE 12-8-08 N F Glynn Alan Jones
6-34420 PAPILLON DE IENA (FR) 6-8-08 Dakit Partnership Martin Pipe
3P/6-1132 NO RETREAT (NZ) 13-8-02 M W & A N Harris John Groucott
00-04655 BRIGADIER BROWN (IRE) 9 NQ Eamonn Duignan John Murphy IRE
10P034F GOOD STEP (IRE) 8 NQ J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
230504 HIGH MOON (USA) 10 NQ Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard FR
2-0F53603 LIKE A BEE (IRE) 8 NQ J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
148 entries
38 Irish-trained
5 French-trained
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