Tuesday, March 22, 2005

RECORD 107 GO FORWARD FOR JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL

There were 77 horses remaining in the race at the equivalent forfeit stage 12 months ago. The previous record was 105 remaining entries in 2003.

Nearly all the main fancies remain after the second forfeit stage for the world's most famous steeplechase, this year worth £700,000 and taking place at Aintree on Saturday, April 9.

Last year's runner-up Clan Royal could bid to atone for a disappointing season for trainer Jonjo O'Neill and is one of no less than 15 J P McManus-owned entries still in the field.

Others include the Enda Bolger-trained Spot Thedifference, the winner of the Sporting Index Handicap Chase at Cheltenham a week ago who finished fifth in the 2004 John Smith's Grand National.

There are 27 Irish-trained contenders remaining including the Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter, who will bid to give locally-born owner Trevor Hemmings a first John Smith's Grand National victory.

The weights are still headed by last week's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth Grey Abbey while Take The Stand, who finished second in the Cheltenham showpiece, third-placed Sir Rembrandt, and fourth-placed Royal Auclair also remain in the John Smith's Grand National.

There would be no more fairytale winner than Forest Gunner, whose rider Carrie Ford had given birth just weeks before the pair landed last season's John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase over the National fences.

Ford partnered the 11-year-old, who won the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock on February 19, in a workout at Aintree Racecourse this morning and she is looking forward to riding in the big race.

Ford said: "The fact that he won at Haydock answered a few questions and I will be working hard so that I can do him justice. He has a live chance and that makes me work harder."
Ford's husband Richard, who trains Forest Gunner, added: "He's a horse that has never done a lot of racing but it is so far so good. Everything this season has gone to plan and hopefully he will get a run. If I can just keep him in one piece for the time being and get him here on the Saturday then I will be a happy man."
Joly Bey, partnered by his owner David Dunsdon, will bid to become the first amateur-ridden winner of the John Smith's Grand National since Mr Frisk in 1990.

The three remaining French-trained entries include last week's William Hill Trophy Chase winner Kelami, trained by Francois Doumen for Amberleigh House's owner John Halewood, and stablemate Innox, who was recently purchased by J P McManus.

Charles Barnett, Aintree's Managing Director, said: "We're especially pleased to have 107 remaining in the John Smith's Grand National at the second forfeit stage, which compares with 77 last year.

"With the second, third, fourth and fifth in last week's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup standing their ground with all the other leading contenders we're set fair for a fabulous race."
Clerk of the Course, Andrew Tulloch, confirmed today that Aintree would be adopting its standard policy to ensure ground no faster than good.

He said: "We will be monitoring the weather forecast on a daily basis to achieve this objective."
The latest betting from Betfair, official betting partner of the John Smith's Grand National (correct at midday on Tuesday, March 22) is:

13.5 Clan Royal, 14.5 Amberleigh House, 15 Hedgehunter, 17 Forest Gunner, 19.5 Joly Bey, 24 Strong Resolve, 25 Lord Atterbury, 27 Grey Abbey, 30 Royal Auclair, 32 Innox, 32 Kelami, 36 Just In Debt, 38 Colonel Rayburn, 40 Take The Stand, 42 Double Honour, 42 Longshanks, 44 Nil Desperandum, 46 Frenchmans Creek, 46 It Takes Time, 46 Spot Thedifference, 48 First Gold, 50 bar

Take The Stand has traded at a high of 100 on Betfair, Forest Gunner at 110, Royal Auclair at 95 and Kelami at 150.

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 and 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. The bottom-weighted horse, Toulouse-Lautrec, is rated 109. 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 (130 remained), second forfeit stage March 22 (107 remain), 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 Monday, March 21. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer
P/6111-115 GREY ABBEY (IRE) 11-11-12 Roper Family and Norman Furness Howard Johnson
P62-24243 SIR REMBRANDT (IRE) 9-11-10 Alan Hordle Robert Alner
F4/422F-0 LE COUDRAY (FR) 11-11-09 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
52-3052P FIRST GOLD (FR) 12-11-08 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
510-2265PP SEEBALD (GER) 10-11-08 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
302-132334 ROYAL AUCLAIR (FR) 8-11-07 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
3F223-465 RINCE RI (IRE) 12-11-07 Frank Moriarty Ted Walsh IRE
60420F-00 ALEXANDER BANQUET (IRE) 12-11-04 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE
0004-3F00 MONTY'S PASS (IRE) 12-11-03 Dee Racing Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
34F-0002 FONDMORT (FR) 9-11-03 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
126PF32 TAKE THE STAND (IRE) 9-11-02 The Courters Peter Bowen
1112P-25P0 BALLYCASSIDY (IRE) 9-11-02 Roddy Owen & P Fullagar Peter Bowen
P4P/21-U42P BALLYBOUGH RASHER (IRE) 10-11-01 B D R Partnership Howard Johnson
232120F RISK ACCESSOR (IRE) 10-11-01 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
4521F-0P JURANCON II (FR) 8-11-00 David Johnson Martin Pipe
216F-56 BINDAREE (IRE) 11-11-00 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
P51-04540 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE) 13-11-00 Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain
50FP-30P0P VENN OTTERY 10-10-13 Oliver Carter Martin Pipe
21-2111F COLONEL FRANK 8-10-12 The Hambledon Hunters Brendan Powell
1F-024061 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 9-10-12 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE
0/P3010-122 FOLY PLEASANT (FR) 11-10-11 Nick Shutts Nick Shutts
43-0450P00 ASTONVILLE (FR) 11-10-10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
1/66F-540 AD HOC (IRE) 11-10-09 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
1/5555-24 TIMBERA (IRE) 11-10-08 Josephine Breen Dessie Hughes IRE
31111//-51P HEROS COLLONGES (FR) 10-10-08 John Hales Paul Nicholls
00-460343 GLENELLY GALE (IRE) 11-10-08 Frank Bradley Arthur Moore IRE
5P-554310 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 11-10-08 David Johnson Martin Pipe
411/12-4 CLAN ROYAL (FR) 10-10-08 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
13-4P5S341 NIL DESPERANDUM (IRE) 8-10-08 Mike Shone Frances Crowley IRE
1P-23PP4 LORD NOELIE (IRE) 12-10-07 Executive Racing Bridget Nicholls
15F-0541P JOLY BEY (FR) 8-10-07 David Dunsdon Nick Gifford
115103-05 JAKARI (FR) 8-10-07 The Earl Cadogan Henry Daly
13//-3P340 FRENCHMAN'S CREEK 11-10-06 Rory Sweet & Panda Christie Hughie Morrison
P132F6-020 IZNOGOUD (FR) 9-10-06 The County Stores & Avalon Surfacing Martin Pipe
25-12510 GUNTHER MCBRIDE (IRE) 10-10-05 Mike Tuckey Philip Hobbs
31-120500 POLAR RED 8-10-05 Lady Clarke Martin Pipe
1354432 DOUBLE HONOUR (FR) 7-10-05 The 4th Middleham Partnership Philip Hobbs
12/315-11 FOREST GUNNER 11-10-04 John Gilsenan Richard Ford
41F-1P235 COLNEL RAYBURN (IRE) 9-10-04 Thatch (Ferns) Racing Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
1UP-012P JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 9-10-04 J W Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
55-101141 SPOT THEDIFFERENCE (IRE) 12-10-04 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
F132/5-4 SHAMAWAN (IRE) 10-10-03 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
11/1P3-44 LORD ATTERBURY (IRE) 9-10-03 David Johnson Martin Pipe
62-4120P0 TURNIUM (FR) 10-10-03 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
6603021 INNOX (FR) 9-10-03 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
0P133F0B EUROPA 9-10-03 Trevor Hemmings Ferdy Murphy
2P-3P1P0 MERCHANTS FRIEND (IRE) 10-10-03 Magic Moments Charlie Mann
4-60200 ARCTIC COPPER (IRE) 11-10-03 Grand Alliance Racing Club Noel Meade IRE
21PP0-2P6P HUNTERS TWEED 9-10-03 Trevor Hemmings Peter Beaumont
U41-05443 SIMPLY GIFTED 10-10-03 Steve Hammond Jonjo O'Neill
4621122 STRONG RESOLVE (IRE) 9-10-03 Fair City Flyers Lucinda Russell
11024644 L'AVENTURE (FR) 6-10-02 Chris Harriman Paul Nicholls
22-00310 MARCUS DU BERLAIS (FR) 8-10-02 Marcus Beresford Arthur Moore IRE
121P-05P NATIVE EMPEROR 9-10-02 J C, J R and S R Hitchins Jonjo O'Neill
1U11/54-6 A PIECE OF CAKE (IRE) 12-10-02 Lightbody Celebration Cakes Ltd Jim Goldie
P502/-0P SUPREME GLORY (IRE) 12-10-01 Chris Moorsom Pat Murphy
1132-2P1 LONGSHANKS 8-10-01 Alan Halsall Kim Bailey
065-2360 SMARTY (IRE) 12-10-01 Tracey Brown Mark Pitman
4PF3/20-10 LORD OF THE TURF (IRE) 12-10-01 Frank O'Malley John Bleahen IRE
504206 UP WILD TEMPO (FR) 10-10-01 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
4P-0456P PRESENT BLEU (FR) 10-10-01 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
046100F3 GARVIVONNIAN (IRE) 10-10-01 Mrs A Long Ned Mitchell IRE
022U/-P0 RED STRIKER 11-10-00 Norman Mason Richard Guest
P1P-5352 GUNNER WELBURN 13-10-00 William Ritson/David Hall/R D Ellis Andrew Balding
15300040 DAVIDS LAD (IRE) 11-10-00 Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
151-01P0 HISTORIC (IRE) 9-10-00 Mrs Robin Rumboll Tom George
6126000 SWANSEA BAY 9-10-00 Billy Evans Peter Bowen
1P-6P112P BATHWICK ANNIE 9-10-00 W Clifford Paul Keane
FP-P00UP0 ARCTIC JACK (FR) 9-9-13 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
0/P40-51F FREETOWN (IRE) 9-9-13 Sarah Blumberg & R Nairn Len Lungo
3-200000 WINNING DREAM (IRE) 11-9-13 Mrs Oliver McKiernan Oliver McKiernan IRE
21-0005P CASSIA HEIGHTS 10-9-13 B Ridge & D Hewitt Steve Brookshaw
1-4P RAND (NZ) 11-9-12 Eamon Cleary Noel Meade IRE
11D/-3F5P0 BE MY ROYAL (IRE) 11-9-12 Dr David Chapman-Jones Tom George
0003F431 KELAMI (FR) 7-9-12 Halewood International Ltd Francois Doumen FR
12-0F325 KYMANDJEN (IRE) 8-9-11 Robert Hodgins Paul Nolan IRE
443F064 OVER THE FIRST (IRE) 10-9-11 Trotters Ind Trading Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
F315221 JUVEIGNEUR (FR) 8-9-10 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
PP-36P335 ROYAL ATALZA (FR) 8-9-09 Terry Ramsden Geoff Huffer
100F2-60100 WHEREAREYOUNOW (IRE) 8-9-08 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
0/121P-0U WORLD WIDE WEB (IRE) 9-9-08 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
50UF-PPP HEART MIDOLTIAN (FR) 8-9-08 Mrs Seamus Neville Martin Pipe
33F-221P BE MY BETTER HALF(IRE) 10-9-08 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
40-1S410 MULTEEN RIVER (IRE) 9-9-08 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
222-315 YOU'RE SPECIAL (USA) 8-9-07 Les Buckley Patrick Haslam
023-F006 NATIVE SESSIONS (IRE) 10-9-07 R D Murphy Noel Meade IRE
6PPP-P1PP ITSONLYME (IRE) 12-9-07 Mel Davies Venetia Williams
0/1112F-120 NEVER COMPROMISE (IRE) 10-9-07 Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh IRE
11P//3P-000UP THIS IS SERIOUS (IRE) 11-9-07 Granit City Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
063P6P0 MONTREAL (FR) 8-9-07 David Johnson Martin Pipe
311115 FASHIONS MONTY (IRE) 9-9-07 Brian Mulholland Peter Monteith
F-3014046 JACK HIGH (IRE) 10-9-06 Brenda Ross Ted Walsh IRE
611-33F0F LATITUDE (FR) 6-9-06 Neil Edwards Martin Pipe
11P//-154U2 SPRING MARGOT (FR) 9-9-06 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
0P-F061 MINI SENSATION (IRE) 12-9-03 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
5332600 BRIGHT APPROACH (IRE) 12-9-02 John Burbidge Grant Cann
241-030U HEROIC (IRE) 9-9-01 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
0P-PP02065 HERSOV (IRE) 9-9-00 Sin Sceal Eile Syndicate Paul Roche IRE
110-156 SHERKIN ISLAND (IRE) 7-8-13 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
3412//P-5PFP CRUISE THE FAIRWAY (IRE) 9-8-13 R J T 290 Limited Brendan Powell
10PF-P40 DARK ROOM (IRE) 8-8-12 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
22P-21540 MAJED (FR) 9-8-11 Lucy Normile Lucy Normile
P-62211F2 BOY'S HURRAH (IRE) 9-8-09 Woolpack Farm Partnership Howard Johnson
4000U54 FARINEL 9-8-08 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
11/2P-43P23 ONLY ONCE 10-8-06 Group Captain John Prideaux Howard Johnson
510P/-1P5433 PAXFORD JACK 9-8-06 Ruth Nelmes Milton Harris
P2P-1215212 TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (IRE) 9-8-05 John French Tom George
107 entries remain after the March 22 forfeit stage
27 Irish-trained
3 French-trained

The following 23 horses came out at the March 22 forfeit stage:
KEEN LEADER (IRE), KAMILLO (FR), OLLIE MAGERN, CELESTIAL GOLD (IRE), VALLEY HENRY (IRE), TRUCKERS TAVERN (IRE), PUNTAL (FR), NATIVE UPMANSHIP (IRE), KNIFE EDGE (USA), SHOTGUN WILLY (IRE), SILVER BIRCH (IRE), NATIVE JACK (IRE), BARON WINDRUSH, LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE), GROUND BALL (IRE), HERMES III (FR), SOLARIUS (FR), SCOTS GREY, AKARUS (FR), BOUNCE BACK (USA), SNOWY FORD (IRE), BE MY MANAGER (IRE), INDIAN CHANCE

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