A total of 81 entries remain in the £700,000 John Smith's Grand National, run at Aintree on Saturday, April 14, after today’s second forfeit stage including all the leading contenders.
Irish-trained entries, aiming for a fourth win in the last five years, again dominate the ante-post betting with current favourite Dun Doire, trained by Tony Martin, one of 21 remaining horses bidding to take the prize across the Irish Sea.
Dun Doire is likely to be partnered by Paul Carberry, whose brother Philip is set to ride second favourite Point Barrow, who put himself in the frame for Aintree with an eye-catching run over hurdles at Navan on Saturday.
The formidable Irish challenge also includes both of the two latest John Smith's Grand National victors, the 2005 hero Hedgehunter and last year's Numbersixvalverde.
There is a strong British-trained contingent among the 81 acceptors. Eurotrek, who excelled over the famous Aintree fences when taking the totesport.com Becher Chase in November, is one of six entries going forward for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Meanwhile there would be few more popular winners than Simon, who is owned by 87-year-old Mercy Rimell, whose late husband Fred trained four Grand National victors in E.S.B. (1956), Nicolaus Silver (1961), Gay Trip (1970) and Rag Trade (1976).
Others bidding to land the world’s most famous race include Joes Edge, the 2005 Scottish Grand National victor who enjoyed a 50/1 success in the William Hill Trophy Chase at Cheltenham earlier this month, and Ossmoses, the star of permit holder Don Forster's County Durham yard who shaped encouragingly when runner-up over hurdles at Ayr on March 22. Idle Talk could give Donald McCain Jnr his first John Smith's Grand National runner as he bids to follow in the footsteps of his famous father.
Charles Barnett, Aintree’s Managing Director, said: "We’re very pleased to see the high quality of the initial entry maintained through the first and second forfeit stages and look forward to a great occasion on April 14."
THE 2007 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, £700,000 total Prize Fund. Aintree, Saturday, April 14. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the Senior BHB Jumps Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 11, 2007. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 31, 2007, 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 11, 2007, 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 11, 2007. At the Handicapper's discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the Senior BHB NH Handicapper shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Entries closed January 31, entries revealed February 1 (119 entries), weights revealed February 13, first forfeit stage March 6 (106 remained), second forfeit stage March 27 (81 remain). Six-day confirmation stage April 9, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 12. Form figures supplied by Wetherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, March 26, 2007.
1331//1P-P FAIR PROSPECT 11-9-10 D G Pryde Lucinda Russell
0F-263P JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 11-9-10 Gill and Bill Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
00-043PP0 IRIS BLEU (FR) 11-9-09 Martin Pipe David Pipe
40-P40P6 MODEL SON (IRE) 9-9-06 P J Hughes Developments Ltd Alison Thorpe
51P0/-PP SOLARIUS (FR) 10-9-06 Fergus Wilson David Pipe
3PP-00P5 KORELO (FR) 9-9-05 Phil Dukes Steve Gollings
13/1P6/-P MARK THE MAN (IRE) 10-9-03 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
10/0/UPP-3P EXIT SWINGER (FR) 12-9-02 Sandicroft Stud Richard Ford
R0032PP DAUPHIN DES CARRES (FR) 9-9-01 Prof Judith Wilson David Pipe
U00/-16U3P RIDE THE STORM (IRE) 10-9-01 Nelius Hayes Edward O'Grady IRE
220-333P ESPOIR DU BOCAGE (FR) 12-8-11 J E & T E Wilson Michael Scudamore
02124503 SHANNON'S PRIDE (IRE) 11-8-11 JAS Partnership Richard Guest
63-31354 THEATRE KNIGHT (IRE) 9-8-11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
01P-P114P BANG AND BLAME (IRE) 11-8-10 Edward Wilkin Mick Easterby
24U-PPPP HEROS COLLONGES (FR) 12-8-06 Andy Peake Norma Macauley
81 entries remain after March 27 forfeit stage
21 Irish-trained
3 French-trained
THE FOLLOWING 25 HORSES WERE REMOVED AT THE MARCH 27 FORFEIT STAGE:EXOTIC DANCER (FR), LOUPING D'AINAY (FR), CROZAN (FR), LACDOUDAL (FR), OUR BEN, SIR REMBRANDT (IRE), CORNISH REBEL (IRE), LADALKO (FR), TURPIN GREEN (IRE), TAKE THE STAND (IRE), NED KELLY (IRE), LITTLE BRICK (FR), FAR FROM TROUBLE (IRE), LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE), NIRVANA DU BOURG (FR), URSUMMAN (IRE), NIL DESPERANDUM (IRE), MAURICE (FR), INCA TRAIL (IRE), KYMANDJEN (IRE), PATRICKSNINETEENTH (IRE), WITHOUT A DOUBT, DIX VILLEZ (FR), ROSS COMM, COLJON (IRE).
NICHOLLS DOMINATES JOHN SMITH’S TOPHAM CHASE
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is responsible for five of the eight top-weighted horses for the 2007 John Smith’s Topham Chase, run over two miles, five and a half furlongs of the Grand National course at Aintree on Friday, April 13. The 84 entries and weights for the £100,000 event are revealed today.
The John Smith’s Topham Chase is being run as an open handicap for the first time in recent years, and Phil Smith, the senior British Horseracing Board jump handicapper, has used his discretion to frame a special handicap for the race, rather than having to rely solely on the ratings. The race has also changed this year to become an early-closing contest.
Nicholls’ entries include top weight Nozic (11st 12lb), who has progressed with each outing this season and followed wide-margin victories at Chepstow and Uttoxeter with a fine second under top weight in the VC Casino.com Gold Cup at Newbury on March 3.
Thisthatandtother (11st 10lb), last seen running seventh behind stable companion Taranis in the Grade Two Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 15, and Le Volfoni (11st 2lb), fourth to Idole First in the Grade Three Racing Post Plate at Prestbury Park the same day, are other entries for the Ditcheat handler.
Four times Grade One winner Hi Cloy is among a 20-strong Irish-trained entry. The classy 10-year-old, trained in Co Limerick by Michael Hourigan, captured the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree in 2006, and could make his debut over the big fences next month in the John Smith’s Topham Chase, for which he has been allotted 11st 5lb.
Other Irish entries include the Mouse Morris-trained Fota Island (11st 9lb), who chased home compatriot Hi Cloy in the John Smith’s Melling Chase last year, while Willie Mullins, who landed this prize in 2002 with Its Time For A Win, has three entries, including Our Ben (11st 5lb), a good third to star mare Celestial Wave in a Grade Three hurdle at Gowran Park on January 25.
Other interesting contenders include the Henry Daly-trained Palarshan (10st 7lb), who made an excellent return after two years on the sidelines when runner-up to Idole First in the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham. McKelvey (10st 5lb) returned to winning ways over hurdles at Bangor on March 24, and is one of four entries for Peter Bowen, and Tysou (10st 9lb), trained by last year’s winning handler Nicky Henderson, was a never-nearer eighth to Andreas in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham on March 16.
John Spearing’s Hakim (9st 9lb) chased home Liberthine in the John Smith’s Topham Chase last year, having captured the totepool Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree in 2005.
Charles Barnett, Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse, said: "We’re delighted that the conditions changes we have made to the John Smith’s Topham Chase have worked so well in year one."
THE JOHN SMITH’S TOPHAM CHASE (HANDICAP)
Class 2, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. Aintree, Friday, April 13. For 5yo+, two miles, five and a half furlongs (over the Grand National course). Entries closed March 21 (84 entries), entries & weights revealed March 27. Penalties: after March 24, a winner of a chase 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb). Six-day confirmation stage April 7, final declaration stage, 10.00am, April 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, March 26.
Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer122112 NOZIC (FR) 6-11-12 S Mcvie Paul Nicholls
3F-2520 THISTHATANDTOTHER (IRE) 11-11-10 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
3-22U30 ARMATURK (FR) 10-11-10 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls
222-565 FOTA ISLAND (IRE) 11-11-09 J P McManus Mouse Morris IRE
653236 HI CLOY (IRE) 10-11-05 Susan McCloy Michael Hourigan IRE
P3-42F3 OUR BEN 8-11-05 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE
632-364 LE VOLFONI (FR) 6-11-02 A F Banks Paul Nicholls
335301 HOO LA BALOO (FR) 6-11-00 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
112220 DAVENPORT DEMOCRAT (IRE) 9-10-12 P M Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
1/-2P040 VODKA BLEU (FR) 8-10-09 David Johnson David Pipe
P-36P40 TYSOU (FR) 10-10-09 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
442250 LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 11-10-09 Favourites Racing Willie Mullins IRE
63403 GROUND BALL (IRE) 10-10-08 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
125-130 GALLANT APPROACH (IRE) 8-10-08 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Charles Egerton
431532 ON THE NET (IRE) 9-10-08 A M O'Grady Eoghan O'Grady IRE
111130 MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 5-10-07 Fergus & Judith Wilson David Pipe
5036P/-2 PALARSHAN (FR) 9-10-07 Sumner Wellesley Henry Daly
163-53U GRAPHIC APPROACH (IRE) 9-10-07 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Charles Egerton
15R-R40 ALWAYS 8-10-05 Mrs A Long John Long IRE
21201U IRISH RAPTOR (IRE) 8-10-05 Caroline Beresford-Wylie Nigel Twiston-Davies
2-41061 MCKELVEY (IRE) 8-10-05 N Elliott Peter Bowen
1/104-02 BROOKLYN BREEZE (IRE) 10-10-05 Ashleybank Investments Limited Len Lungo
22006F MAURICE (FR) 7-10-04 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr
02-1043 BRIERY FOX (IRE) 9-10-03 Vicky Reed Helen Plumbly Jane Trafford Henry Daly
020P-00 LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE) 10-10-03 Sharon Nelson Tom George
502224 LIGHT ON THE BROOM (IRE) 11-10-01 John Stafford Gerard Stack IRE
0-5520P PUNTAL (FR) 11-10-01 Terry Neill David Pipe
5211-1P UMBRELLA MAN (IRE) 11-10-00 Mrs J Dollar & Mrs M Hall Emma Lavelle
435-6F0 TURTHEN (FR) 6-10-00 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
13F330 DIX VILLEZ (FR) 8-10-00 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE
5F1505 DARBY WALL (IRE) 9-10-00 Matthew Cahill Enda Bolger IRE
4F0-143 WELL TUTORED (IRE) 8-9-13 M F Bailey Arthur Moore IRE
P0-5120 SONEVAFUSHI (FR) 9-9-13 Brian Dice Venetia Williams
PP03-F1 SCOTS GREY 12-9-13 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
252-6F5 WITHOUT A DOUBT 8-9-12 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
0PU45P MACS FLAMINGO (IRE) 7-9-12 Craith Syndicate Pat Fahy IRE
3-20P30 NO FULL (FR) 6-9-12 Patrick Delaney Jnr Paul Webber
0F-263P JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 11-9-11 Gill and Bill Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
P00551 UNDENIABLE 9-9-10 Keith Nicholson Sue Smith
54U000 IRON MAN (FR) 6-9-10 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen
4P600U ROSS COMM 11-9-10 Kevin Treanor Sue Smith
214//33-P PATRICKSNINETEENTH (IRE) 10-9-10 The Large G & T Partnership Paul Webber
1F15P6 LATIMER'S PLACE 11-9-10 Sir Christopher Wates Nick Gifford
31B114 TOMMY SPAR 7-9-10 Ralph Morgans Peter Bowen
21U03-P KASTHARI (IRE) 8-9-10 Elliott Brothers Howard Johnson
222-F50 HAKIM (NZ) 13-9-09 T N Siviter John Spearing
1P/-1P3 KENZO III (FR) 9-9-09 Killinghurst Park Stud Nicky Henderson
443P61 PATMAN DU CHARMIL (FR) 5-9-09 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
P4P6P5 WRAGS TO RICHES (IRE) 10-9-08 No Illusions Partnership Chris Down
56200P KELREV (FR) 9-9-08 Len Jakeman, Flintham, King & Roberts Venetia Williams
r550-33 RISK ACCESSOR (IRE) 12-9-07 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
F4/-S344 OUT THE BLACK (IRE) 9-9-07 James Drummond Philip Hobbs
P23-131 SILVER JACK (IRE) 9-9-07 B Batey Martin Todhunter
40/11/P-5 YOUNG COLLIER 8-9-06 Wally Sturt Jim Old
0-61015 WHEREAREYOUNOW (IRE) 10-9-06 Mrs S Maxse Brendan Powell
05-0100 FLORIDA DREAM (IRE) 8-9-05 D J & S A Goodman Nigel Twiston-Davies
452244 TURGEONEV (FR) 12-9-05 David Sills Tim Easterby
12-0222 COSSACK DANCER (IRE) 9-9-05 The United Front Partnership Mark Bradstock
001U63 NEWBAY PROP (IRE) 8-9-05 W A Moffett Tony Martin IRE
6/0111-4 FIRST LOVE 11-9-04 The Queen Nicky Henderson
3P1000 EAST TYCOON (IRE) 8-9-04 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
04-0PP2 LOST TIME (IRE) 10-9-04 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
F-25050 ALMOST BROKE 10-9-04 Lucy Horner Gary Brown
4-41053 NELTINA 11-9-02 Jill Scrase Jill Scrase
P23FP2 GLENGARRA (IRE) 10-9-00 Starlight Racing David Gandolfo
20-333P ESPOIR DU BOCAGE (FR) 12-8-12 Judith Wilson & T E Wilson Michael Scudamore
P-62332 LORD RODNEY (IRE) 8-8-11 Estio Racing Peter Beaumont
251323 JIMMY BOND 8-8-11 P Chapman and Mrs J Higgins Kate Walton
232426 FLIGHT COMMAND 9-8-10 Nick Bannister Peter Beaumont
450400 PETERTHEKNOT (IRE) 9-8-09 Valerie Courtney Thomas Cooper IRE
334440 DUNBRODY MILLAR (IRE) 9-8-09 Dundon Else Partnership Peter Bowen
3-31354 THEATRE KNIGHT (IRE) 9-8-06 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
0-02130 ALAM (USA) 8-8-06 Dr Richard Newland Dr Richard Newland
35025P STAR PERFORMANCE (IRE) 12-8-05 Mrs C McKiernan Oliver McKiernan IRE
4P50-40 FIORI 11-8-05 Wilson Imports I Patrick Haslam
25/P/F0-1 ABBEYTOWN (IRE) 10-8-04 Mike Futter Jeanette Riordan IRE
5040-P0 HIGH MOON (USA) 11-8-03 Fergus Wilson P T J Murphy
0500PP- SAFE ROUTE (USA) 9-8-03 Saferoute Syndicate Colm Murphy IRE
124503 SHANNON'S PRIDE (IRE) 11-8-02 JAS Partnership Richard Guest
26325 PHELANS FANCY (IRE) 9-8-01 John Phelan Michael O'Connor IRE
5UU111 CLEARLY IN MOTION (IRE) 10-7-12 Group Clean Ltd Charlie Mann
453214 FINZI (IRE) 9-7-09 The Meld Partnership Michael Scudamore
6543P0 CASSIA HEIGHTS 12-7-07 B Ridge & D Hewitt Steve Brookshaw
54/0U-32 PILLAGING PICT 12-7-06 Messrs F T Walton Jimmy Walton
84 entries
20 Irish-trained
GODOLPHIN SEVEN STARS WINNER ARRIVES IN DUBAI FROM SRI LANKA
FRESH LOOK 2007 GODOLPHIN SEVEN STARS CLOSES ON FRIDAY
Elayathamby Canute from Sri Lanka, the 2006 Godolphin Seven Stars winner, arrived in Dubai on Sunday, March 25 and is eagerly looking forward to seeing the Godolphin horses work on Wednesday morning (March 28).
The 45-year-old, who collects US$100,000 as part of his tremendous first prize for the world’s greatest free-to-enter on-line horseracing competition, has never seen a racehorse before except on television.
“I have read about horses working in newspapers but I have never seen them myself because there is no racing in Sri Lanka.
“The only horses I have ever come across are police horses,” explained Mr Canute who finished ahead of tens of thousands of other entrants from over 150 countries across the globe to clinch the 2006 Godolphin Seven Stars first prize which also includes a luxury trip for two to Dubai this week for the Dubai World Cup.
He and his 17-year-old son Jerald, a keen rugby player for St Peter’s College, were flown first class by Emirates from Sri Lanka - it is the first time both of them have left their home country - to Dubai and are spending a week in a suite at the seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel.
Elayathamby Canute, who works for a tea broker in the capital Colombo, first became interested in racing in 1989 and keenly follows British and international races via televised coverage.
“Everybody interested in racing knows about Sheikh Mohammed’s colours and the blue silks of Godolphin and associates them with Dubai.
“My son and I are very pleased to be in Dubai, where I have a cousin, and the Burj Al Arab Hotel is amazing.”
He will receive his prize from Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, on Wednesday morning (March 28).
Mr Canute entered the Godolphin Seven Stars last year after being told about the free Internet competition by a friend. It was a case of first time lucky.
From the seven Godolphin horses he picked out, the two to provide the most points were last year’s Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist and Discreet Cat who will be Godolphin’s representative in the world’s richest race, worth the US$6-million, on Saturday (March 31).
He declared: “My favourite horse for this year is Discreet Cat and I am glad he is over the minor problem that stopped him having a prep race for the Dubai World Cup.
“I was very sad when Electrocutionist died last year while I loved Dubai Millennium (Godolphin’s greatest horse).”
Two of the seven Godolphin horses he chose last year did not contribute any points and so Elayathamby Canute is enthusiastic about the fresh new look for the 2007 Godolphin Seven Stars which closes for entries on www.godolphin.com at one minute to midnight (Dubai time) on Friday, March 30.
This year’s competition incorporates an innovative interactive format that makes the tremendous free-to-enter competition more exciting than ever before.
With a first prize of US$50,000 plus a luxury holiday to the 2008 Dubai World Cup, as well as US$100,000 for other prizes, Godolphin Seven Stars competitors can look forward to a thrilling time this year.
In previous years, entrants chose seven horses to represent them throughout the entire campaign but in 2007, for the first time, lists selected will consist of 14 Godolphin horses, seven of whom will be active at any one time.
These exciting new features mean that players are able to swap horses within their 14-horse squad during three designated "Swap Windows" in 2007.
The seven active horses earn points according to their performances on racetracks around the world, because Godolphin is the most international of all stables, while each of the other seven remains dormant until called upon.
Those changes can happen during any of the three swap windows. The first window opens at 12.00am on Friday, May 25, and closes at 11.59pm on Thursday, May 31. The second window opens 12.00am on Wednesday, July 25, and closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 31, while the final swap stage commences a 12.00am on Monday, September 24, and ends at 11.59pm on Sunday, September 30 (all times are Dubai time).
Mr Canute commented: “Being able to choose 14 horses and swap them around must improve your chance of winning the Godolphin Seven Stars.
“I have selected 14 Godolphin horses for this year but I am waiting until I see the horses work on Wednesday before putting in my entry.”
A further fun development for 2007 sees the Seven Stars competition broken down into four exciting Challenge Competitions. The entry that accrues the highest number of points during each Challenge receives a tremendous US$10,000 prize.
Points earned during each Challenge phase are not carried forward to the next Challenge but all points gained contribute to a running total that will determine the overall Seven Stars winner and runner-ups.
The first Challenge stage takes place from Saturday, March 31 to Thursday, May 31, 2007. Challenge Two commences on Friday, June 1 and ends on Tuesday, July 31, while Challenge Three runs from Wednesday, August 1, until Sunday, September 30. The fourth and final Challenge starts on Monday, October 1, and finishes on Friday, November 30.
Only one list of 14 horses per person will be accepted and in the event of a tie, the entry which was made first will win the sensational Godolphin Seven Stars first prize.
Racing novices may wish to make a Lucky Dip entry, where the computer will select 14 horses.
Generous prizes are awarded down to fifth place with the second receiving US$30,000, the third US$15,000, the fourth US$10,000 and fifth US$5,000.
Entrants will be able to follow the competition throughout the year on www.godolphin.com, while email alerts will be sent out whenever an active horse is declared to run and when horses gain points.
Horses selected for the 2007 Godolphin Seven Stars earn points between March 31 and December 9.
All entries must be received on the Godolphin website www.godolphin.com by 11.59pm Dubai time on Friday, March 30, 2007.
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