Wednesday, March 28, 2007

AINTREE PREVIEWS NEW FACILITIES AHEAD OF JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

The 2007 Grand National meeting will take place at Aintree racecourse in just over two week’s time, Thursday April 12 through to Saturday, April 14. Aintree’s new Grandstands, the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Stands, will be opened for racegoers to use for the first time at the three day meeting.

The ambitious building project, which has been funded with assistance from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) as well as Aintree’s own resources, has vastly improved facilities for all customers of the racecourse. This iconic site can now boast world-class facilities for a world-class venue. Phase one of the project, the building of the racecourse’s new Weighing Room and Winner’s Enclosure complex, was completed for the 2006 Grand National meeting.

In addition to Aintree’s current Grandstands, the Princess Royal, the County and the Queen Mother Stands, the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Stands, will both provide five tiers of premium viewing facilities for racing and in addition, will provide fantastic amenities for the racecourse’s conference and events business. On the ground floor, two terraces will provide viewing for 1,400 racegoers, with 800 seats spread across two tiers within each Grandstand. Levels one and three of each stand will offer breathtaking corporate facilities, with restaurants holding 300 and 600 diners respectively. Level five of both Grandstands hold six private suites for corporate customers. All facilities offer panoramic views over the racecourse from vantage points never before experienced at Aintree.

Aintree’s International Equestrian Centre will provide an arena for Aintree to host a variety of equestrian events. This facility will also double up as Aintree’s largest enclosure for racing in the form of the Aintree Pavilion, providing vastly improved facilities for the racecourse’s Tattersalls customers.

The new Grandstand and International Equestrian Centre / Aintree Pavilion development has increased Aintree’s raceday capacity by 3,000 within the two Grandstands, and provides additional capacity within for an additional 5,000 racegoers with the Aintree Pavillion.

Speaking about the boost Aintree’s new facilities will have on the North West economy, Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said: “Aintree racecourse is one of the Northwest’s major tourism assets, attracting 200,000 visitors to the region every year and by improving the facilities here we expect to attract many new visitors to the region. Estimates indicate that the new business could be worth as much as £1.2 million a year to our tourism industry, and the new facilities will certainly provide a higher quality visitor experience. With Aintree’s enhanced ability to host world-class events, we hope to see an increase in the contribution it makes to the visitor economy of the Northwest.”

Meeting Update – Tickets
With just over two weeks to go until the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National meeting, the racecourse reports demand for tickets for the meeting has been exceptionally strong. However, tickets and corporate hospitality are still available for the three-day meeting.

County Enclosure tickets are available on both opening day (Thursday) and Grand National day (Saturday). County Enclosure tickets on Thursday start from £35, with tickets in the County Enclosure starting at £70 on Grand National day. West Tip Seats are also available on Thursday, priced at £17. Tattersalls tickets are available to purchase for each day of the meeting (Thursday £15, Friday £25, Saturday £33) and offer vastly improved facilities and entertainment within the new Aintree Pavilion. John Smith’s No Nonsense Enclosure tickets can be purchased for Saturday only and cost £15.

The Advance Booking Office at the racecourse is now open on Grand National Avenue. Racegoers are advised to purchase their preferred option in advance of the meeting as ticket choices can’t be guaranteed on the day.

Advance Booking Office opening times are as follows:
Monday, March 26 – Friday, March 30 9.00am - 6.00pm
Saturday, March 31 10.00am - 4.00pm
Monday, April 2 – Thursday, April 5 9.00am - 7.30pm
Good Friday Bank Holiday, April 6 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday, April 7 10.00am – 5.00pm
Easter Monday Bank Holiday, April 9 10.00am – 6.00pm
Tuesday, April 10 – Wednesday, April 11 9.00am - 8.00pm

Final Grand National for Aintree Managing Director
The 2007 John Smith’s Grand National meeting will be the last for Aintree’s long serving Managing Director, Charles Barnett. Barnett, 58, has seen the world’s most famous steeplechase and the racecourse as a leisure facility go from strength to strength during his 15 years at the course. He will take up a new post as the Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse following Aintree’s Ladies Night meeting on May 18.

During his time at Aintree, crowd figures for the festival meeting have trebled and total prize money for the Grand National meeting, raised from £651,000 in 1993 to a record £2,320,000 (€3,480,000 (Euros)) in 2007.

Reflecting on his time at Aintree, Barnett said: “It’s a real wrench to leave Aintree and I am of course very sad but by the same token, I’m looking forward to the opportunity that Ascot presents. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and have no doubt that the Aintree team will continue to deliver the racecourse and Grand National meeting at Aintree to new heights. It is still very much a firm ambition to raise the total prize fund of the John Smith’s Grand National to £1million and plans are already in place to ensure this ambition is achieved.”

Aintree Announce All Star Judge Line-Up for Style Contest
Aintree’s racegoers will be under celebrity scrutiny in the 2007 Looking Good Style Contest as judges were today announced for the 2007 event. Thursday’s contest will feature amongst the judging panel, Coronation Street actress and singer of Hear Say fame, Kim Marsh.

Ladies’ Day crowds will be under the watchful eye of actress Sheree Murphy, who will be tasked with picking finalists out of the 1,300 entrants that are expected to proceed through the Style Contest area on the second day of the meeting.

Finalists from Thursday and Friday will be invited back for a VIP day out on Grand National Day when Coleen McLoughlin will present prizes to the winners of each Style Contest category (most stylish male, most stylish female and most stylish over 40s racegoer). The overall winner will be the person deemed to be the most stylish racegoer for racing at Aintree and will be presented with a fantastic Citroën C4 Coupe, designed to look good on the road by three times World Rally Champion, Sebastian Loeb.

Racegoers wishing to take part in the 2007 contest can pre-register before Friday 30th March and in doing so will receive a £10 voucher for Andrew Collinge Hair and Beauty. Entry to the contest will be available on the day. For further information, visit www.aintree.co.uk/stylecontest

10 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL FACTFILES

John Smith’s Grand National Record (since 1980): 2001: Unsinkable Boxer (PU 20th)

Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Alveston, Bristol, on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship in recent years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title last season, having sent out 148 winners and gained over £2.4 million in prize money. He is also well on course to successfully defend his title this year, with the hugely-talented Kauto Star being the flag-bearer with victories in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase, the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton, Newbury’s AON Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another highpoint in his training career came at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, as he captured the major chase on each of the three days - Flagship Uberalles scored in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following day and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained 17 Cheltenham Festival winners in total, and was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006 and again in 2007. His four successes this year were Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Taranis in the Ryanair Chase and Andreas in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. He also captured two races at the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National Meeting, when successful with Star De Mohaison in the £80,000 John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase and Natal in the £55,000 Citroën C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. His 1,000th British winner came when Noble Action won at Folkestone on November 15, 2004.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1992 Just So (6th); 1996 Vicompt De Valmont (10th), Deep Bramble (PU bef 2 out), Brackenfield (UR 19th); 1997 Straight Talk (Fell 14th); 1998 What A Hand (Fell 1st), Court Melody (Fell 6th), General Crack (PU 11th); 1999 Strong Chairman (15th), Double Thriller (Fell 1st), 2000 Earthmover (Fell 4th), Torduff Express (Fell 13th), Flaked Oats (Fell 20th), Escartefigue (UR 30th); 2001 Earthmover (Fell 4th); 2002 Murt’s Man (PU bef 17th), Ad Hoc (BD 27th); 2003 Montifault (5th), Fadalko (UR 6th), Ad Hoc (UR 19th), Shotgun Willy (PU bef 22nd), Torduff Express (UR 27th); 2004 Exit To Wave (PU bef 9th); 2005 Royal Auclair (2nd), Heros Collonges (8th), L’Aventure (15th), Ad Hoc (Fell 22nd); 2006 Royal Auclair (Fell 1), Le Roi Miguel (PU bef 19th), Cornish Rebel (PU bef 19th), Silver Birch (Fell 15th), Le Duc (UR 8th), Heros Collonges (UR 15th)

NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Broken Hearted - Queens Tricks (Le Bavard (FR))
11-11-03 Form: 2202/2422123/03500/023151315/04B4431-404
Owner: Bernard Carroll Trainer: Martin Brassil IRE
Breeder: The late Major Billy & James Boyd

Numbersixvalverde
When Numbersixvalverde won the Irish Grand National in 2005 he ensured his place in history, not only as a winner of that famous race, but also as the horse that gave Ruby Walsh the distinction of being the only jockey to capture the Fairyhouse contest in the same season as the John Smith’s Grand National and Coral Welsh National. Named after his owner’s holiday home in the Algarve, Portugal, he made his racecourse debut at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in 2001, finishing 20 lengths second to Alexander Milenium, and ran a further three times in bumpers that term without success. He made his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse in November, 2002, finishing second and was runner-up on his next start too - his sixth such finish in his first eight outings - before opening his account in a heavy-ground maiden hurdle at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve. He was again second, this time to the smart Florida Coast, at Fairyhouse in January, before running third to Jack High a month later. He did not race again until February, 2004, and in five starts that spring, failed to add to his solitary success. A switch to fences at the beginning of the 2004/2005 season failed to bring immediate rewards. He was last of eight in a Grade Three at Tipperary in October but improved when a second to Cane Brake in a beginners’ chase at Galway three weeks later, and was then third to Keepatem in November. Stepped up to three miles at Navan in December, Numbersixvalverde gained a deserved and overdue second victory. Fifth in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle was followed by another winning effort in the Thyestes Chase in January, and the following month he was a close third to Point Barrow in the Grade Three Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan. That effort preceded his famous defeat of Jack High in the Irish Grand National and he rounded off the 2004/05 campaign at the Punchestown Festival where he was fifth to Pay It Forward in the Betfair.com Handicap Chase. Last season began back over hurdles at Navan, running eighth behind Nicanor on November 13. He was fourth in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle the following month, and was then brought down when in contention five out in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27. He returned to that track on January 15 for the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase and was a staying-on fourth to What A Native. He then had two warm-up races over hurdles before recording the greatest victory of his career with an impressive six-length defeat of Hedgehunter in the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National. This season, he has followed a similar path to last season. After a couple of outings over hurdles, he warmed up for a second crack at the John Smith’s Grand National with a staying-on fourth in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 24. He is aiming to be the first horse to successfully defend his Aintree crown since Red Rum in 1974.

Race Record: Starts: 35; Wins: 5; 2nd: 8; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £580,674

Bernard Carroll
Born on March 15, 1945, in Ennis, County Clare, where his late father Tommy Carroll was prominent in local business circles, Bernard Carroll, a qualified civil engineer, has made his name as a Dublin property developer through his company Carroll Estates Ltd. Carroll had his first horse in 1975, using a £1,500 car loan for a half-share in the Christy Grassick-trained Melody Music. He has had horses with trainer Martin Brassil since the Curragh handler began training in the mid-90s and the pair enjoyed their first success together when Section Seven won a Leopardstown bumper under Tony Martin in March, 1995. He named his most famous horse, Numbersixvalverde, after his holiday home on the Algarve, Portugal. He was in Portugal at the time of the horse’s triumph in the 2005 Irish Grand National, having booked his vacation some months previously, and believing that any alteration to his plans could tempt ill-fate. He was, however, in attendance when the horse scored his biggest success in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree last year and truly enjoyed the victory. He also has horses with County Louth trainer Harry Rogers and John Brassil.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2006 Numbersixvalverde (WON)

Martin Brassil IRE
Martin Brassil, who hails from the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare - named by Lord Inchiquin after the racecourse in England - started working with ponies at the age of 19. Currently based at Dunmurray near the Curragh in County Kildare, 50-year-old Brassil formerly worked for Mick O’Toole (1977-1986), where he looked after the the 1979 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Dickens Hill, and at Neil McGrath’s Brownstown Stud before starting up on his own. Brassil also rode as an amateur rider, enjoying around 40 winners until an ankle injury ended his career in the saddle in 1981. He took out his first trainer’s licence in 1994, and his first winner came with Nordic Thorn in a maiden hurdle at Killarney in May that year. His first big success came in the 2005 Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, where in a thrilling finish, Numbersixvalverde just got the better of Kymandjen by a short-head. Better was to follow, as he went on to take the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, edging home by three-quarters of a length from Jack High. It was a first runner in the race for the pair, and the victory meant that Numbersixvalverde became the first horse to win both the Thyestes Chase and the Irish Grand National in the same season since Brown Lad in 1976. Brassil enjoyed the greatest success of his career with Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National and he has enjoyed significant success with the crack two miler Nickname - a multiple winner in Graded contests in Ireland. Brassil is having his best season numbers wise this season. His brother John is also a trainer.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2006 Numbersixvalverde (WON)

HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Montelimar (USA) - Aberedw (IRE) (Caerwent)
11-11-12 Form: 2222/242621/223102/431F/0240611/04222-5
Owner: Trevor Hemmings Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Breeder: Tony Keogh

Hedgehunter
Hedgehunter has finished in the first four on 25 of his 33 starts. His career began in February, 2001, with four seconds in bumpers. He started the 2001/2002 campaign over hurdles, adding another ‘2' to his form figures when going down by five lengths to Goss in a maiden at Punchestown in November, 2001. He mixed hurdling with another couple of bumper runs and it was on his 10th start that he registered a first success when coming home 20 lengths clear on heavy ground in a Clonmel maiden hurdle in February, 2002. He was sent chasing in the 2002/03 season and his form progressed to a new level over the larger obstacles. Two seconds and a third in novice and beginners’ chases were followed by an 11-length win in the Grand National Trial Handicap at Punchestown on February 2, 2003. He then, after being bought by Trevor Hemmings, travelled to the 2003 Cheltenham Festival for the four-mile National Hunt Chase where he was going exceptionally well before a mistake two out almost brought him down. That season was rounded off by finishing three and a half lengths second to stablemate Rule Supreme in the Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Handicap Chase at Punchestown. The 2003/04 season began with a second visit to Britain when finishing fourth to Strong Flow in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and continued with third place, 23 lengths behind Bindaree, in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27 before an eight-length win in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on January 22. He then headed for the John Smith’s Grand National and ran a game race from the front, looking assured of at least a place when falling at the last. In the 2004/05 season, his first five races came over hurdles, with his best effort being a second at Thurles in December. He put himself in the picture for another crack at the John Smith’s Grand National when landing the Bobbyjo Chase at Leopardstown on February 19, beating Pizarro, after the weights came out. He then made up for his last fence blunder the previous year when scoring an emphatic victory in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National under Ruby Walsh, beating Royal Auclair by 14 lengths when the 7/1 favourite. He finished 14th of 23 on his first start last term, in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle on December 4. He was a respectable fourth to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown later that month, and returned to that venue to be runner-up to the same rival in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on February 12. He then ran right up to his best when two and a half lengths second to War Of Attrition in the 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 17. He subsequently made a gallant attempt under top-weight to become the first horse to win consecutive John Smith’s Grand Nationals since Red Rum when he found only Numbersixvalverde six lengths too good. This season, Hedgehunter has made one appearance, finishing fifth to stablemate Mossy Green in a handicap hurdle at Thurles on November 30. Race Record: Starts: 33; Wins: 5; 2nd: 14; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £776,909
Trevor Hemmings
Trevor Hemmings, 70, boasts a classic rags to riches story. Born in London, he began his working life as a bricklayer’s apprentice in Lancashire and rapidly worked his way up the Pontin’s holiday business to the extent that he was able to sell it on to Scottish & Newcastle in exchange for a significant shareholding in S & N (1989). He is no longer a director of S & N, the parent company of John Smith’s, although he still has a substantial stake and bought Pontin’s back in 2000. He is also a major shareholder in Arena Leisure Plc, which owns Folkestone, Lingfield, Southwell, Wolverhampton and Windsor racecourses and manages Doncaster and Worcester. Arena is also a major shareholder in broadcaster At The Races that owns some of British racing’s media rights. Hemmings’ many other interests include Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens in the North West town. His empire also includes hotels, a wallpaper business and in June, 2000, another company in which he has a major share, Rodime Plc, paid £161 million for the Littlewoods pools business, which included the bookmaker Bet Direct, now disposed of. He was said to be worth £928 million in the 2006 Sunday Times Rich List. He also owns a share of Preston North End FC. In recent years, he has stepped up his involvement in racing and fulfilled one of his greatest ambitions when Hegehunter carried his colours to victory in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree. After years of trying, Hemmings finally emulated his mentor Fred Pontin, owner of the 1971 National hero Specify, with his 13th Grand National runner Hedgehunter. His first winner came on the Flat in 1985 but Hemmings now brings on young stock at Gleadhill House Stud, managed by former jockey and trainer Mick Meagher, at his base at Chorley in Lancashire, and at his Monymusk Stud in Co Cork. He first tried to win the John Smith’s Grand National with the Stan Mellor-trained Rubika, who finished 14th in 1992, and he purchased leading hope Beau for an undisclosed sum a few days before the 2002 race - only to see the horse unseat Carl Llewellyn at the 14th fence. His 80-plus horses are split between Sue Smith, Nicky Henderson, Henrietta Knight, Nicky Richards, Henry Daly, Willie Mullins, Jonjo O’Neill, Peter Beaumont, Ferdy Murphy, Chris Grant, Donald McCain Jnr, Oliver Sherwood, Paul Nicholls, where his son Philip is pupil assistant, Alan King, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Richard Ford and with Eric Alston on the Flat, while he has predominantly younger stock with Eugene O’Sullivan in Ireland. Hemmings resides in the Channel Islands and is said to have paid £12 million for the Ballavodan estate on the Isle Of Man. Grand National Record (since 1980): 1992 Rubika (14th); 2000 The Last Fling (7th); Esprit De Cotte (Fell 22nd); 2001 The Last Fling (UR 5th), Esprit De Cotte (UR 11th); 2002 Goguenard (Fell 1st), Beau (UR 14th); 2003 Southern Star (14th), Chives (PU bef 12th); 2004 Arctic Jack (Fell 1st), Southern Star (PU bef 9th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (Won), Europa (20th); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd), Juveigneur (Fell 1st)

Willie Mullins IRE
Born September 15, 1956, Willie Mullins was six-times amateur champion rider in Ireland and his major successes in the saddle included the 1983 John Smith’s Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on Atha Cliath, before taking out a training licence in 1988. He hails from one of Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of Paddy Mullins, the now retired outstanding all-round trainer, whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Cheltenham Festival race in which he has saddled five winners (also Florida Pearl 1997, Alexander Banquet 1998, Joe Cullen 2000 and Missed That 2005). Mullins saddled Rule Supreme to win the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival and sent out the same horse to win the Irish Hennessy in 2005. His best horse to date has been Florida Pearl, who has been placed in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the 1998 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups in Ireland as well as the 2001 King George VI Chase and the 2002 Betfair Bowl at Aintree. Mullins, who began training in 1988, has around 100 horses at his Closutton yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and his first John Smith’s Grand National runner as a trainer, Micko's Dream, fell at the first in 2000, while, as a jockey, his rides included The Ladys Master, who ran out in 1983, and Hazy Dawn, who fell at the sixth the following year. The loquacious Mullins, a former chairman of the Irish Trainers' Federation, also suffered heartache in 2004 when Hedgehunter departed at the final fence in the John Smith’s Grand National when looking assured of a place. Mullins overcame bad luck in the John Smith’s Grand National the following year when Hedgehunter came home 14 lengths clear of Royal Auclair. He has trained 10 Cheltenham Festival winners, most recently scoring with 40/1 shot Ebaziyan in this year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Micko's Dream (Fell 1st); 2002 Alexander Banquet (UR 6th), 2004 Alexander Banquet (Fell 18th); Hedgehunter (Fell 30th), 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON), 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd)JOES EDGE (IRE) FACTFILE
b/br g Supreme Leader - Right Dark (Buckskin (FR))
10-10-02 Form: 10/221010/51222P11/2U044006-001 Owner: Chemipetro Ltd
Trainer: Ferdy Murphy Breeder: James Barry

Joes Edge
April 16, 2005, brought the highlight of Joes Edge’s career to date when he took the Scottish Grand National at Ayr while still a novice. The success came after a thrilling duel with Cornish Rebel, which saw that horse head Joes Edge over the last fence but then falter as Ferdy Murphy’s charge rallied in the final 50 yards to record a short-head victory. It was almost three years to the day after he began his racing career with success in a Carlisle bumper. He proved to be a consistent novice hurdler the following season, winning two of his six starts and finishing runner-up twice. Switched to fences in November, 2004, he made a winning start, defeating Another Rum by nine lengths at Ayr. His next three outings saw him finish runner-up to a trio of smart individuals in Baron Windrush, Control Man and Lacdoudal, before a mistake at the 10th resulted in him being pulled up in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival, won by King Harald. He compensated for that disappointment at Aintree in April when landing the John Smith’s Novices’ Handicap Chase, before that dramatic triumph at Ayr. He rounded off a fine month at Punchestown, running second to Pay It Forward in the Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase. The 2005/06 season was something of an anti-climax after the thrills of the previous spring. After a summer break, he reappeared at Wetherby on October 29, but unseated Keith Mercer four out in the Charlie Hall Chase won by Ollie Magern. He was then a well-beaten 11th in the following month’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup before running fourth to Royal Auclair in the Mears Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on December 9, and filled the same position behind Therealbandit in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Joes Edge finished 13th behind War Of Attrition in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and then ran with credit to be seventh in the John Smith’s Grand National behind Numbersixvalverde. He ended his season with a below-par effort at the end of April when sixth to Ballycassidy at Perth. The 2006/07 season commenced in similar vein as the gelding came home a well-beaten seventh in the United House Gold Cup at Ascot in October and was then eighth in the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National course at Aintree in November. Given a winter break, Joes Edge returned in cracking form. Sent off at 50/1, he pounced late under Graham Lee to land a scintillating last-stride victory in the Grade Three William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13.
Race Record: Starts: 27; Wins: 7; 2nd: 6; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £194,769

Chemipetro Ltd
Based in Dudley, Worcestershire, Chris Massey is the man behind Chemipetro Ltd, the registered owner of Joes Edge. The company manufactures a range of products including pipes and fittings for the chemical, oil, gas and food industries and regularly serves the major operators, large contractors and premier fabricators in the off-shore industry. Ferdy Murphy purchased Joes Edge unbroken on behalf of Massey, who named the horse after his grandfather, and the owner was rewarded handsomely when the gelding captured the 2005 Scottish Grand National and then added the 2007 William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival. Massey also owns the hurdlers Aberdeen Park and Dans Edge (owned in conjunction with his wife Joanne), both trained by Heather Dalton, as well as the Murphy-trained maiden hurdler Sharkeys Dream.

Grand National Record: 2006 Joes Edge (7th)

Ferdy Murphy
Born November 6, 1948, Ferdy Murphy was originally apprenticed to Phonsie O’Brien, younger brother of Vincent, and became stable jockey and head lad to Paddy Mullins during a 16-year riding career that resulted in more than 100 winners. He later acted as private trainer for five years to the Durkan brothers, at the time of the great two-mile chaser Anaglogs Daughter. In September, 1985, he came over to Britain to be private trainer to the late Geoff Hubbard at Woodbridge in Suffolk and assumed the licence in 1990. He later set up on his own in Somerset before moving to Middleham to train at Robert Ogden’s stable, an association that was short-lived. He is now based at West Witton, just outside Middleham where he has 107 horses in training this year. Murphy’s best horses include Sibton Abbey who, running from 21lb out of the handicap and ridden by Adrian Maguire, won the 1992 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, French Holly, winner of the 1998 Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle and third to Istabraq in the 1999 Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Paddy’s Return, winner of the 1996 Triumph Hurdle, the 2000 Scottish National winner Paris Pike and Ballinclay King, winner of the 2001 John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree. He also sent out Truckers Tavern to finish second to Best Mate in the 2003 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Joes Edge secured Murphy a second Scottish Grand National in 2005. So far this season he has notched 49 winners (as of March 25) and landed a double at the Cheltenham Festival with Joes Edge in the William Hill Trophy and the Mary Durkan-owned L’Antartique in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase. That was his second Festival double in succession following You’re Special in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup and Hot Weld in the National Hunt Chase 12 months earlier. Grand National Record: 1999 Addington Boy (4th); 2000 Addington Boy (5th); 2001 Addington Boy (UR 2nd), Paddy’s Return (Fell 3rd), 2002 Streamstown (9th), Birkdale (10th), Paris Pike (Fell 1st), Ackzo (PU bef 20th); 2003 Ballinclay King (PU bef 15th); 2004 Luzcadou (Fell 1st); 2005 Europa (20th); 2006 Joes Edge (7th), Haute de Gamme (Fell 20th)SIMON (GB) FACTFILE
b g Overbury (IRE) - Gaye Memory (Buckskin (FR))
8-10-11 Form: 1224203/4341211-52611 Owner: Mercy Rimell
Trainer: John Spearing Breeder: Mercy Rimell

Simon
The home-bred Simon is the apple of owner and former trainer Mercy Rimell’s eye, being out of a winning half-sister to the 1983 Champion Hurdle winner Gaye Brief, who was trained by Rimell herself. Following a successful novice chase campaign last season, he has stamped himself as a leading staying handicap chaser this term with victory in the Grade Three Racing Post Chase at Kempton on February 24. Rimell initially sent Simon to Ireland where he was placed under the care of trainer Philip Fenton. The combination worked well as Simon won his only start in a point-to-point at Ballysteen on April 25, 2004. The then five-year-old made a winning debut under Rules on soft to yielding ground in a two-mile novice hurdle at Wexford on November 12, 2004. Pitched into Grade Three company and upped to three miles on his second start at Cork, he went down by four lengths to the classy Homer Wells. Simon failed to win in five subsequent starts that term but proved to be game and consistent, only once finishing out of the frame at distances from two miles to two and three quarter miles. Simon returned home and joined the Kinnersley yard of John Spearing, where the Rimells previously trained, for the start of the 2005/2006 season. A disappointing start to his chasing career saw him finish a remote fourth behind Mount Clerigo at Uttoxeter in November. He improved to finish 13 lengths third, conceding 12lb to the winner Nadover in an extended two and a half-mile contest at Bangor in December, but again disappointed in taking fourth at Huntingdon later that month. Simon was fortunate to break his chase duck at Wincanton on January 21, 2006. Outpaced in the two miles, five furlongs contest, he benefited from Nayodabayo’s last fence fall to take the spoils. A heavy ground Haydock handicap was the setting for a creditable second on February 23, and he rounded off the campaign in fine style with two victories. Stepped up to three miles on heavy going at Uttoxeter on March 18, and in receipt of 13lb from Mount Clerigo, he gained revenge on that rival with a three-length success. An extended three miles and soft going at Bangor on April 22, brought a further success. Simon appeared a touch ring rusty on his seasonal return at Bangor on November 8, as he made a jumping error and came home fifth behind Bob Bob Bobbin. A good second to Tana River in the extended three miles, five furlongs williamhill.co.uk Marathon Chase at Sandown on December 2, saw him sent off the 11/2 favourite for the Coral Welsh National over the same trip at Chepstow on December 27. He paid the price for racing a touch too keenly under Andrew Thornton and crossed the line sixth of the 12 finishers behind Halcon Genelardais. An improved effort at Southwell on January 27 brought success in the Listed Sky Bet Chase over an extended three miles, as he drew nine lengths clear of the pursuing Ardaghey. The Racing Post Chase was Simon’s biggest test and he continued his upward curve with a 10-length defeat of Cornish Sett, despite being hampered three out and then hitting the running rail as he charged to the line.

Race Record: Jumps Starts: 19; Wins: 6: 2nd: 5; 3rd: 2; Win and Place Prize Money: £149,898

Mercy Rimell
Mercy Rimell, 87, has been one of the most famous figures on the National Hunt scene for over half a century. She has spent her entire life around horses and was an international junior rider when only seven, before competing for England in France aged 10. She rode her first point-to-point winner four years later. Mercy married the four-time champion jump jockey Fred Rimell at the age of 17 in 1937 and, when Fred turned his hand to training in 1945, played a key role in the success of their Kinnersley yard, which enjoyed four Grand National successes (1956 ESB, 1961 Nicolaus Silver, 1970 Gay Trip, 1976 Rag Trade). The yard also sent out two Gold Cup winners (1967 Woodland Venture and 1976 Royal Frolic) as well as a dual champion hurdler in Comedy Of Errors (1973 & 1975). Following Fred’s death, Mercy took over the training licence in July, 1981, and continued the yard’s success. Her first winner came with Tru Mar at Worcester on August 8, 1981, and she saddled 232 winners in all. Up to her retirement in 1989, she continued to enjoy success at the highest level, most notably with 1983 Champion Hurdle winner Gaye Brief. That gelding’s full-brother Gaye Chance landed the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle and the Stayers Hurdle (now the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle and Ladbrokes World Hurdle, respectively) at the Cheltenham Festival. She also trained Three Counties, ridden by her granddaughter Katie, to win the 1989 Christies Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham. Her grandson Mark Rimell is now a trainer. Mercy, who also bred Simon, saddled Gala’s Image to finish seventh behind Seagram in the 1989 John Smith’s Grand National while Pilot Officer was still well in contention when departing at the Chair in 1983. Simon is her first runner in the race as an owner.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: No previous runners

John Spearing
John Lionel Spearing, 66, was born into a farming family in Moreton-In-Marsh, on May 7, 1940. He spent his early years around horses and rode in point-to-points and under Rules as an amateur, numbering a hunter chase at Cheltenham among his handful of victories. He turned to training in 1971 when the owner of a mare he had ridden asked him if he would be interested in training her. Glendale, the horse in question, won nine times for the accidental trainer, who was initially based at Kineton, Warwickshire. As his one-horse string expanded, he moved to a bigger yard at Sherriff’s Lynch, and further successes took him to Moor Hall Stables at Wixford, near Alcester, Warwickshire, where he established himself from 1975. Spearing trains under both codes, but his biggest successes to date have come over jumps. Run And Skip was the star of the yard in the 1980s, capturing a host of races including the Coral Welsh National in 1985, while this season, Simon captured the Grade Three Racing Post Chase at Kempton. His Flat successes include Vax Lady in the Listed Pearl Sprint Stakes at Phoenix Park in 1990, while in April of that year he sent out Lucedeo to win four races in eight days. Spearing also expertly handled Beverley specialist Rapid Lad to collect 12 victories at the East Yorkshire track. Since February, 1998, he has been based at the historic Kinnersley Stables in Worcestershire, made famous by Fred and Mercy Rimell.

John Smith’s Grand National record: 1985 Solihull Sport (Fell 1st); 1991 Run And Skip (Fell 2nd)IDLE TALK (IRE)
br g Hubbly Bubbly (USA) - Belon Breeze (IRE) (Strong Gale)
8-11-02 Form: 141P/11324-32UU Owner: Trevor Hemmings
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr Breeder: Roland Rothwell

Idle Talk
Idle Talk’s career to date is largely one of unfulfilled potential. The lightly-raced gelding, a 2,000 guineas purchase as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland in November 1999, competed three times in Irish point-to-points, finishing fourth on his debut at Bartlemy in May 2003, before scoring by a distance in a three-mile maiden at Carrigtwohill on February 1, 2004. He unseated his rider in his final point at Liscarroll the following month. Transferred to Tom George in Gloucestershire ahead of the 2004/2005 season, Idle Talk made an impressive winning debut under Rules in a three-mile soft ground maiden hurdle at Chepstow on October 30, 2004. Pitched in to Grade Two company for his second start, he ran with great credit to take fourth behind Brewster in the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December. A smooth victory in a novice contest at Lingfield followed in February, 2005, before an anti-climax to the campaign in the Grade One John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April, in which he was pulled up behind Asian Maze. Steeplechasing beckoned and Idle Talk made a great start to his fencing career, defeating Lord Killeshanra in a Worcester beginners’ chase on November 1, before dismissing Reflected Glory in a novice event at Exeter on January 2, 2006. His unbeaten status over fences came to an end in the Grade Two Reynoldstown Chase, run over three miles on heavy ground at Lingfield on February 18, as he was beaten a distance in third, by Montgermont. He posted a career best effort on his next start in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham that March as he filled the runner-up spot, six lengths behind Star De Mohaison, conceding 10lb. His novice season ended with a cracking effort against seasoned handicappers in the four miles, one furlong Grade Three Scottish Grand National at Ayr, in which he finished fourth to Run For Paddy. The 2006/2007 season promised much and he made a pleasing start when a half-length second to My Will in a Grade Three handicap at Cheltenham on November 11. He was then only sixth in the Grade Three Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury won by State Of Play later that month. Jumping errors cost him dearly in the Grade Two Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on January 27, as he unseated Richard Johnson at the ninth fence. Subsequently sold to Trevor Hemmings and switched to Donald McCain’s Cheshire yard, Idle Talk contested the Grade One Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16. The gelding, partnered as in all bar two of his 13 starts by Jason Maguire, was bumped by a rival and was unfortunate to unseat his rider at the fifth fence.

Race Record: Jumps Starts: 13; Wins: 4: 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win and Place Prize Money: £81,198

Trevor Hemmings
Trevor Hemmings, 70, boasts a classic rags to riches story. He began life as a bricklayer’s apprentice in Lancashire and rapidly worked his way up the Pontins holiday business to the extent that he was able to sell it on to Scottish & Newcastle in exchange for a significant share holding in S & N (1989). He is no longer a director of S & N, the parent company of John Smith’s, although he still has a substantial stake and bought Pontin’s back in 2000. He is also a major shareholder in Arena Leisure Plc, which owns Folkestone, Lingfield, Southwell, Wolverhampton and Windsor racecourses and manages Doncaster and Worcester. Arena is also a major shareholder in broadcaster At The Races that owns some of British racing’s media rights. Hemmings’ many other interests include Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens in the North West town. His empire also includes hotels, a wallpaper business and in June, 2000, another company in which he has a major share, Rodime Plc, paid £161 million for the Littlewoods pools business, which includes the bookmaker Bet Direct. He was said to be worth £928 million in the 2006 Sunday Times Rich List. He also owns a share of Preston North End FC. In recent years he has stepped up his involvement in racing and fulfilled one of his greatest ambitions when Hegehunter carried his colours to victory in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National. After years of trying, Hemmings finally emulated his mentor Fred Pontin, owner of the 1971 National hero Specify, with his 13th Grand National runner Hedgehunter. His first winner came on the Flat in 1985 but Hemmings now brings on young jumping stock at Gleadhill House Stud, managed by former trainer Mick Meagher, at his base at Chorley in Lancashire, and at his Monymusk Stud in Co Cork. He first tried to win the John Smith’s Grand National with the Stan Mellor-trained Rubika, who finished 14th in 1992, and he purchased leading hope Beau for an undisclosed sum a few days before the 2002 race - only to see the horse unseat Carl Llewellyn at the 14th fence. His 80-plus horses are split between Sue Smith, Nicky Henderson, Henrietta Knight, Nicky Richards, Henry Daly, Willie Mullins, Jonjo O’Neill, Peter Beaumont, Ferdy Murphy, Chris Grant, Donald McCain Jnr, Oliver Sherwood, Paul Nicholls, where his son Philip is pupil assistant, Alan King, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Richard Ford and with Eric Alston on the Flat while he has predominantly younger stock with Eugene O’Sullivan in Ireland. Hemmings resides in the Channel Islands and is said to have paid £12 million for the Ballavodan estate on the Isle Of Man. Grand National Record (since 1980): 1992 Rubika (14th); 2000 The Last Fling (7th); Esprit De Cotte (Fell 22nd); 2001 The Last Fling (UR 5th), Esprit De Cotte (UR 11th); 2002 Goguenard (Fell 1st), Beau (UR 14th); 2003 Southern Star (14th), Chives (PU bef 12th); 2004 Arctic Jack (Fell 1st), Southern Star (PU bef 9th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (Won), Europa (20th); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd), Juveigneur (Fell 1st)

Donald McCain Jnr
Born on March 13, 1970, Donald McCain Jnr is the son of Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Red Rum, the only horse to win the Grand National three times (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also Amberleigh House, the 2004 John Smith’s Grand National victor. Donald learnt to ride on his sister Joanne’s pony Gambol and rode in his first race on the Flat aged 15 (his father told a few white lies so he could ride) at Haydock Park. He subsequently became a jump jockey, firstly as an amateur and then a professional, riding around 40 winners under Rules. He rode several times over the Grand National fences, finishing fifth aboard Harley in the 1992 Fox Hunters’ Chase and 17th on Sure Metal in the 1996 Grand National. He also spent time working in the stables of Luca Cumani, Sir Michael Stoute and Oliver Sherwood. Donald subsequently became assistant trainer to his father at Bankhouse Stables at Cholmondeley in Cheshire and played a significant role in Amberleigh House’s Grand National victory in 2004. He was expected to take over the licence from his father at the start of the current jump season, but had to wait until June before he was able to train in his own name as he needed to complete the appropriate British Horseracing Board courses. Donald’s first winner as a licensed trainer came with Bearaway in a handicap chase at Newton Abbott on June 8. So far this season, Donald has trained 39 winners (up to March 25), and secured his first Cheltenham Festival triumph with Cloudy Lane in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase. Donald is assisted by Ginger McCain.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: No previous runnersDUN DOIRE (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Leading Counsel (USA) - Yes Boss (IRE) (Carlingford Castle)
8-10-08 Form: 0/000000130/151111117-0F251
Owner: Dunderry Racing Syndicate Trainer: Tony Martin
Breeder: Sarah Martin
Dun Doire
The winner of an Irish point-to-point at Oldcastle in March, 2004, Dun Doire finished well beaten on his first six outings under Rules (a hunter chase, two novice chases and three maiden hurdles) before showing better form when a staying on eighth of 24 in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in January, 2005. The promise of that effort was realised on his next start at Navan the following month, in a handicap over two and a half miles, when Dun Doire, who was bred by trainer Tony Martin’s wife Sarah, recorded a ready half length success from 25 rivals. He landed a second handicap hurdle, over three miles, at Limerick in May, 2005, showing his liking for a stamina test and testing ground with a neck defeat of Rock Snow Drop. Sent back over fences for the 2005/06 campaign, Dun Doire found the two-mile trip too short at Naas in October, 2005, but put over longer trips after that run, he went from strength to strength, racking up a superb six-timer. Novice handicap victories in England at Wetherby and Haydock were followed by wins at Navan and Fairyhouse, before Dun Doire landed his first major success, in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January, 2006, when he survived a bad mistake at the final fence to score by a length and a half from Coljon. The victory was somewhat fortuitous, as Dun Doire was initially the first reserve, only getting a run when Killeaney was pulled out on the morning of the race. Sent back to England for the Cheltenham Festival that March, Dun Doire captured the William Hill Trophy, beating Juveigneur by two lengths - scoring off a 50lb higher mark than for his first chasing success at Wetherby - before his winning run was brought to an end in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, finishing seventh to Point Barrow on ground too quick. This season, Dun Doire has mixed hurdling and chasing, running 11th on his return over hurdles at Cork in early November, but failing to complete later that month at Aintree in the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences, falling at the Chair (6th) having been hampered. After two decent runs over the smaller obstacles, yielding second and fifth-place finishes at Navan (December) and Punchestown (February), Dun Doire returned to the winners enclosure with a narrow success at Down Royal over three and a quarter miles on March 17, keeping on doggedly to hold off Romaha by three-quarters of a length.

Race Record: Starts: 24; Wins: 9; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1; Win and Place prize money: £140,127

Dunderry Racing Syndicate
The eight-strong Dunderry Racing Syndicate is made up of brothers Keith and Barry Callaghan, Terry McDonagh, Tony Cregan, Kevin Brady, Evan Stephens, Kevin Dowd and Damien Clarke, who are all from the Dunderry area near Navan in County Meath. A shared love of Gaelic football brought the group together - indeed Barry Callaghan won an All-Ireland medal playing for Meath. Their prize possession, Dun Doire, is named after the Gaelic spelling for Dunderry, and was bred by Sarah Martin, wife of the trainer. While the Dunderry Racing Syndicate only have the one horse, Barry Callaghan, who also owns a bar/nightclub in the town of Kells, is involved in Dun Doire’s five-year-old full brother - Elbow High - named after his exploits on the football field! Ruby Walsh described the members of the Dunderry Racing Syndicate as “the biggest bunch of lunatics in the world” after he partnered Dun Doire to glory in the 2006 William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: No Previous Runners

Tony Martin IRE
Famed for his raids across the Irish Sea from his Arodstown stables at Moynalvey, County Meath, Tony Martin has made his mark on the Flat as well as over jumps. Martin, 41, started in racing 27 years ago under the old school regime of Clem Magnier, the dual purpose trainer. There followed stints with Michael Cunningham, Ted Curtin, Ted Walsh and Lambourn-based Oliver Sherwood, with whom he spent a year. He also had a spell in America before taking up training point-to-pointers. During his days with Magnier, the nickname ‘Harvey’ stuck with Martin. That was in the golden era of the showjumper Harvey Smith, and, because there were plenty of big tough horses around, Martin had to be as strong as Harvey Smith to ride them. Martin, an accomplished amateur rider, trained and rode the 1999 Martell Cognac Reserve Novices’ Hunters’ Chase winner Extra Stout and other Aintree successes include the 2000 John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle with Ross Moff. His big race victories include Davids Lad’s success in the 2001 Irish Grand National, while She’s Our Mare collected the competitive Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse in April 1999 and added the valuable Swinton Hurdle at Haydock the following month. Xenophon, winner of the 2003 Pierse Hurdle provided him with his first Cheltenham Festival success in that season’s Coral Cup, while Dun Doire added to Martin’s Festival tally in the 2006 William Hill Trophy. That was the gelding’s sixth consecutive victory in five months, a run of success that saw his rating rise from 79 to 137. Linden’s Lotto won both the Sporting Index Cross Country Chases at Cheltenham in 1999, the year after taking the Sporting Index Chase at the Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting. His biggest successes on the Flat have come with She’s Our Mare in the Cambridgeshire, one of the most competitive Flat handicaps, at Newmarket in 1999, and an Ascot Stakes double at the Royal Meeting with Barba Papa (2000) and Leg Spinner (2005).

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Hollybank Buck (10th); 2001 Hollybank Buck (Fell 3rd); 2002 Davids Lad (Fell 27th); 2004 Davids Lad (11th)

L’AMI (FR) FACTFILE

ch g Lute Antique (FR) - Voltige De Nievre (FR) (Brezzo (FR))
8-11-08 Form: 225542/F05F0121F143/3324243-53420 Owner: J P McManus
Trainer: Francois Doumen Breeder: Marc Trinquet & Bernard Trinquet

L’Ami
L’Ami, a brother to fellow John Smith’s Grand National contender Kelami, raced four times on the Flat in France for trainer Francois Doumen, his best effort coming on his debut as a three-year-old in October 2003, when he finished third at Le Pin Au Haras. Subsequently sold by Doumen’s Haras d’Ecouves to Jim McCarthy, L’Ami made his steeplechase debut over an extended two miles, one furlong at Auteuil in September 2003. He finished second that day and filled the same spot in a similar event one month later. Doumen’s charge raced six times that season, finishing second again on his final start in March but failing to notch a victory. L’Ami had a busy second season over fences as he raced 12 times. He showed little in five further starts at Auteuil before capturing an elusive first win in an extended two miles, five furlongs handicap at the Parisian venue on November 7, 2004. A second-place finish in a Listed contest later that month booked his ticket to Lingfield for the three-mile Grade Two December Novices’ Chase on December 11, in which he defeated Distant Thunder to take the spoils. A fall at Kempton on Boxing Day was followed by success at Warwick in January. He proved himself a classy staying novice with a fourth-place finish in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase behind Trabolgan and was then third to Like-A-Butterfly in the Grade Two John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April. He returned to Auteuil at the start of the 2005/2006 season, finishing third to Golden Flight in two prestigious events, before returning to England for the Grade Three Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26. L’Ami was beaten two and a half lengths in running second to Trabolgan. A fourth to Kicking King in the King George VI Chase at Sandown in December was followed by a runner-up finish behind stablemate Innox in the Grade Three Racing Post Chase at the Esher track in February. L’Ami ran another fine race next time in the 2006 Grade One Cheltenham Gold Cup won by War Attrition as he took fourth place. L’Ami’s consistency and high level of ability caught the attention of owner J P McManus who purchased the gelding privately ahead of the Aintree Festival in April, when he contested the Grade Two Betfair Bowl, finishing third to Celestial Gold. This season commenced with a fifth placing over hurdles at Auteuil ahead of taking third spot behind the great Kauto Star in the Grade One Betfair Chase. He went to Leopardstown in December for the Grade One Lexus Chase but was no match for The Listener on heavy going and came home fourth. L’Ami then took on Kauto Star again in the Grade Two AON Chase at Newbury in February and, in receipt of 10lb, he got to within a neck of causing an upset. However, he was no match for Kauto Star on his latest start in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16, as he crossed the line in seventh, over 12 lengths behind the impressive winner.

Race Record: Starts: 34; 1st: 3; 2nd: 7; 3rd: 6; Win & Place prize money: £310,726

J P McManus
Few people have enjoyed a closer association with jump racing in the last 30 years than John Patrick ’J P’ McManus, who was born in Co Limerick on March 10, 1951. He left his father’s plant hire business at the age of 20 to become a racecourse bookmaker, but then took the less well-trodden route of gamekeeper-turned-poacher when becoming a professional punter. McManus recalls one of his first bets as being on Merryman II in the 1960 Grand National when he was just nine, but the bet that changed his life was £4 on Linden Tree in a Newmarket maiden in 1970, the horse winning at 100/8. He had another £4 on when Linden Tree won the Observer Gold Cup at 25/1, and £5 each-way at 33/1 for the Derby, when the horse beat all bar Mill Reef. Although still one of the highest-staking punters on the racecourse, “The Sundance Kid” (as he was dubbed by journalist Hugh McIllvanney after a number of major gambles in the ring during the 1970s) is also the biggest National Hunt owner in terms of numbers in Britain, Ireland and France with over 250 horses and has a string of other business interests including dealing in financial markets from his Geneva base and part-ownership of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where he also has a house. With John Magnier, he bought a 28.7% stake in Manchester United through the Cubic Expression company before subsequently selling out to US tycoon Malcolm Glazer. The pair have also invested in the Barchester chain of nursing homes, Castlebeck care homes, a property company that owns Unilever House in London and leisure clubs, including the Chelsea Harbour Club. Since Mister Donovan landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1982, he has enjoyed 25 Festival successes, headed by three-time Champion Hurdle hero Istabraq and Baracouda, who landed the 2002 & 2003 renewals of what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and finished second in 2004 and 2005. Istabraq and Baracouda are now retired at McManus’s Martinstown Stud in Co Limerick. He does a lot of work for charity and his Pro-Am golf tournament, where Tiger Woods regularly plays, has raised millions of euros. McManus is also a keen backgammon player and a big hurling fan. He has become increasingly serious about trying to win the John Smith’s Grand National, having five runners in 2004, six in 2005 and four last year. Clan Royal went close when second in 2004, was carried out when in the lead at Becher’s second time around in 2005 and was third last year. The Sunday Times Rich List estimated McManus’ wealth at £472 million in 2006. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Deep Gale (Fell 1st), 1988 Bucko (PU bef 27th), 1992 Laura's Beau (3rd), 1994 Laura’s Beau (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Wylde Hide (UR 22nd); 1998 Gimme Five (5th), 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 27th); 2003 Youlneverwalkalone (PU bef 13th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Spot Thedifference (5th), Risk Accessor (UR 6th), Le Coudray (Fell 22nd); 2005 Innox (7th), Spot Thedifference (18th), Shamawan (21st), Clan Royal (CO 22nd), Le Coudray (PU before 21st), Risk Accessor (UR 2nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th), Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (UR 23rd)

Francois Doumen
Born by the side of the road in wartime France on June 11, 1940, Francois Doumen first came to the attention of the British racing public when Nupsala, a 25/1 outsider, grabbed a shock victory over Desert Orchid in the 1987 Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton. Doumen has built on that success to land other notable prizes in this country. It is the exploits of The Fellow, winner of two King George VI Chases (1991 & 1992) and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1994), which stand out. The Fellow fell at the Canal Turn on the second circuit in 1994 on his only attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National. Doumen’s spectacularly successful raids over here have helped boost the popularity of French half-bred horses with British trainers. Doumen, whose father Jean trained successfully, spent seven years running a fashion business in South Africa before taking out a licence to train in 1977, having ridden more than 100 winners as an amateur between 1956-70. Other good horses he has handled include King George winner Algan, Ucello II, Ubu III, Djeddah, Bog Frog, Val d’Elene, Moulin Riche, L’Ami, Innox, Kelami, Snow Drop, winner of the 2000 JCB Triumph Hurdle, and the great Baracouda, winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in 2002 and 2003, as well as the 2000 King George VI Chase winner First Gold, who also won the Betfair Bowl at Aintree in 2001 and 2003. Doumen also trained for the late Queen Mother. His horses were stabled at Lamorlaye near Chantilly, but three quarters of them are now at La Beauvoisiniere in Normandy and the rest have left Lamorlaye for a new yard at Chantilly. Much of his string is now Flat-orientated and has included the globe-trotting star Jim And Tonic, bred by his wife Elizabeth, whose successes include the 1999 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin. His son Thierry was a jockey and is now also a trainer. His Aintree successes also include Bilboa in the 2001 John Smith’s Anniversary 4YO Novices’ Hurdle.

John Smith’s Grand National record: 1994 The Fellow (Fell 24th); 1998 Ciel De Brion (Fell 26th); 2000 Djeddah (9th); 2001 Djeddah (UR 8th); 2002 Djeddah (UR 4 out); 2003 Djeddah (11th); 2004 Kelami (Brought down 1st); 2005 Innox (7th); 2006 Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (Unseated 23rd)

ROYAL AUCLAIR (FR) FACTFILE
ch g Garde Royale - Carmonera (FR) (Carmont (FR))
10-11-01 Form: 531115/F111/440/4F04422302/1323342F/51520F00-65036 Owner: Clive Smith
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: Jacky Rauch, Mme Colette Rauch & Patrick Lauer Jockey: Christian Williams

Royal Auclair
Formerly trained in France, where he won two hurdles at Enghien in 2000, Royal Auclair made a winning debut in Britain for Martin Pipe in a novices’ hurdle at Sandown in February, 2001. On his one subsequent start that term, he was well beaten by Montalcino in the Citroen C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. The next season he was sent over the bigger obstacles, winning three of his four starts including the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival that March. During the 2002/03 campaign, the Garde Royale gelding was less successful, going down by at least 15 lengths on his three outings. He was transferred to Paul Nicholls in August, 2003. During the 2003/04 season, he was tremendously consistent, finishing in the first four on seven of his 10 starts, including on his final outing at Sandown in the Betfred Gold Cup that April, going down by the shortest of margins to Puntal. Despite being raised 6lb by the handicapper for that effort at Sandown, Royal Auclair made a winning reappearance the following season, in the Badger Ales Handicap Chase at Wincanton. He was subsequently an excellent third to Celestial Gold in Newbury’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and obtained the same placing behind Grey Abbey in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham. A fine fourth to Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup preceded a tremendous performance when second under 11st 10lb behind Hedgehunter in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, before falling at the first in the Betfred Gold Cup. A reappearance fifth to Kingscliff in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, 2005, was followed by victory in a Listed handicap chase at Cheltenham the following month. He was then 20 lengths fifth to Kicking King in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day, before a surprise defeat when second to See You Sometime in the Cotswold Chase at Wincanton. He then ran ninth behind War Of Attrition in the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March, 2006, but got no further than the first fence in the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National, and failed to get competitive on his next two starts in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown. Royal Auclair kicked off this campaign with a sixth to See You Sometime in a valuable three-mile chase at Ascot in October, and then ran fifth to Spot Thedifference in a cross-country event over three miles and seven furlongs at Cheltenham the following month. After coming home seventh behind Whispered Secret at Cheltenham in January, Royal Auclair ran well when third behind superstar stable companion and subsequent totesport Gold Cup hero Kauto Star in the AON Chase at Newbury on February 10. He was last seen finishing sixth to Heads Onthe Ground in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase, over the cross-county course, at Cheltenham on March 13.
Race Record: Starts: 44; 1st: 8; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 6; Win & Place Prize Money: £477,706

Clive Smith
Clive Smith, 64, is a true jumping enthusiast who first went to Cheltenham in 1974 and has made a significant investment in his string of horses in recent years. A former Surrey golf captain, he was busy building golf courses, including Windlemere, Hawthorn Hill (now Birds Hill) and Pine Ridge, when first breaking into racehorse ownership in 1987 with Hawthorn Hill Lad, trained by Jenny Pitman. The owner then had a brief spell with David Elsworth before having horses with Martin Pipe for 12 years, but took the decision to switch his string to another Somerset-based handler, Paul Nicholls, in the summer of 2003. The 1998 Swinton Hurdle victor Rainbow Frontier and jump racing’s newest superstar, Kauto Star, reportedly bought for 400,000 euros, are also his, and he bid up to 500,000gns at Doncaster Sales in May, 2004, for the record-priced Garde Champetre, who was eventually sold to J P McManus for 530,000gns. Smith hit the headlines at the end of January, 2005, when Kauto Star was remounted by Ruby Walsh after falling at the second last in a novices’ chase at Exeter, eventually going down by just a short-head to Mistral De La Cour, but the runner-up was subsequently found to have fractured his hind leg. The owner later called upon the Jockey Club to try and change the rules over the remounting of horses. Kauto Star has since confirmed himself one of the most exciting and talented chasers of recent times, with six straight victories this term, including the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown (for a second time), the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham, in the process landing his owner a £1 million bonus offered by Betfair for landing the last three races. Smith is also believed to have collected around £100,000 in winning bets after his charge’s Cheltenham victory, while Kauto Star also topped the Racing UK Order Of Merit - designed to reward horseracing excellence and participation - netting his connections a further £200,000 in total. A former executive with Ford and Chrysler who lives at Wentworth in Surrey, Smith is well known in the golfing world as the founder of the Lagonda Trophy, which attracts an international field of top amateurs, has been won by Lee Westwood and Luke Donald and is in its 33rd year. He is also a vintage car enthusiast and owns a 1928 and 1930 Lagonda.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2005 Royal Auclair (2nd); 2006 Royal Auclair (Fell 1st)

Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Alveston, Bristol, on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship in recent years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title last season, having sent out 148 winners and gained over £2.4 million in prize money. He is also well on course to successfully defend his title this year, with the hugely-talented Kauto Star being the flag-bearer with victories in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton and the the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another highpoint in his training career came at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, as he captured the major chase on each of the three days - Flagship Uberalles scored in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following day and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained 17 Cheltenham Festival winners in total, and was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006 and again in 2007. His four successes this year were Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Taranis in the Ryanair Chase and Andreas in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. He also captured two races at the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National Meeting, when successful with Star De Mohaison in the £80,000 John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase and Natal in the £55,000 Citroën C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. His 1,000th British winner came when Noble Action won at Folkestone on November 15, 2004.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1992 Just So (6th); 1996 Vicompt De Valmont (10th), Deep Bramble (PU bef 2 out), Brackenfield (UR 19th); 1997 Straight Talk (Fell 14th); 1998 What A Hand (Fell 1st), Court Melody (Fell 6th), General Crack (PU 11th); 1999 Strong Chairman (15th), Double Thriller (Fell 1st), 2000 Earthmover (Fell 4th), Torduff Express (Fell 13th), Flaked Oats (Fell 20th), Escartefigue (UR 30th); 2001 Earthmover (Fell 4th); 2002 Murt’s Man (PU bef 17th), Ad Hoc (BD 27th); 2003 Montifault (5th), Fadalko (UR 6th), Ad Hoc (UR 19th), Shotgun Willy (PU bef 22nd), Torduff Express (UR 27th); 2004 Exit To Wave (PU bef 9th); 2005 Royal Auclair (2nd), Heros Collonges (8th), L’Aventure (15th), Ad Hoc (Fell 22nd); 2006 Royal Auclair (Fell 1), Le Roi Miguel (PU bef 19th), Cornish Rebel (PU bef 19th), Silver Birch (Fell 15th), Le Duc (UR 8th), Heros Collonges (UR 15th) POINT BARROW (IRE) FACTFILE

9 b g Arctic Lord - Credit Transfer (IRE) (Kemal (FR))
Form: 1F152/54211150/600061-P04B133 Owner: Clune Hughes
Trainer: Pat Hughes Breeder: Henry Dunne

Point Barrow
Point Barrow made the best possible start to his racing career when landing a 12-runner bumper at Leopardstown in December, 2003. Despite falling on his hurdling bow at Naas the following month, he made amends next time out back at Leopardstown, showing a good attitude to hold off Mesmeric by a head. He went on to run with credit in better company that season, chasing home Sadlers Wings in Grade Two company at Fairyhouse, and running fifth to the same rival in the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April, 2004. Sent novice chasing for the 2004/05 season, Point Barrow followed two good efforts with a hat-trick of wins, including the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase and the Grade Three Ten Up Novice Chase, both at Naas over three miles. He acquitted himself well when a close fifth to Another Rum in the 2005 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival over four miles and a furlong, before failing to get competitive behind Numbersixvalverde in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Point Barrow started the 2005/06 campaign in disappointing fashion, managing no better than sixth in five outings, but came back to form with a vengeance when landing a 20/1 surprise in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April, 2006, coming home a length in front of Oulart under Philip Carberry. This season again started slowly for Point Barrow, with four outings yielding nothing better than a fourth-placed finish (also pulled up once and brought down on another occasion), yet he showed the level of ability he possesses when out-pointing A New Story in the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase on January 14, a tremendous effort under top weight. Point Barrow ran well on his penultimate start in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 24, when a close third behind Homer Wells and Jack High, with 2006 John Smith’s Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde a length further back in fourth. He completed his John Smith’s Grand National preparation with a fine effort over hurdles at Navan on March 23, staying on well to take third behind Kenilworth.

Race Record: Starts: 26; Wins: 7; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 2; Win and Place prize money: £226,557

Pat Hughes
Born on March 10, 1943, Pat Hughes took out his first trainer’s licence in 1977. Based at Fenniscourt, Bagenalstown, in Co Carlow, one of his best horses in the early years was Potato Merchant, a useful dual-purpose performer who landed the 1980 Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh. Hughes has tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival, landing the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in 1985 with Antarctic Bay, and he sent out Sharpaten to capture the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle at Aintree in 2000. He has also won the Irish Grand National twice with Insure (1986) and Point Barrow (2006), the Pierse Hurdle (formerly the Ladbroke Hurdle) twice with Mantles Prince (2000) and Grinkov (2001), while Time Machine took the 1985 Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. Other high class winners include Barrow Line (1986 Drinmore Novice Chase, 1987 Arkle Challenge Cup), Abbey Glen (1987 Drinmore Novice Chase, 1987 Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase), Quinze (1997 Lartigue Hurdle, 1999 Galway Hurdle) and his current stable star Point Barrow, who this year added the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Chase to his previous victory in the Irish Grand National. Point Barrow will be Pat Hughes’ first runner in the John Smith’s Grand National.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: No Previous Runners

Clune Hughes
Clune Hughes is the wife of Pat Hughes’ cousin, Paddy Hughes, a farmer and engineer, and owns Point Barrow in partnership with Helen O’Dwyer, a retired chemist, and retired solicitor John Foley. The trio own one other horse with Pat Hughes, six-year-old gelding River Barrow, while John Foley owned Barrow Line, a top-class chaser who won the Drinmore Novice Chase and the Arkle Challenge Cup during the 1986-87 season. Point Barrow was originally bought as a four-year for another client, however they declined the youngster as being too expensive, and when John Foley asked Pat Hughes if he had any horses for sale, the deal was sealed. Last year, along with Pat Hughes, Clune Hughes, Helen O’Dwyer and John Foley were the guests of Carlow County Council at a civic reception to recognise their achievements with Point Barrow, who captured the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April, 2006, while this year their talented nine-year-old landed the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Chase. Helen O’Dwyer’s husband, Michael O’Dwyer, is the owner of another John Smith’s Grand National entry, the Willie Mullins-trained Bothar Na.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: No Previous Runners

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