Grand National

A Grand National Winning Chance for First-timer Tidal Bay

April 7, 2011

Ten-year old Tidal Bay’s strong jumping record could stand him in good stead for his debut in the Grand National 2011. In 27 starts over hurdles and fences the bay gelding has never fallen or pulled up. In October 2010, the Howard Johnson-trained gelding came third in the John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby, having previously finished second twice – in the prestigious Betfair Chase at Haydock and the equally impressive Argento Chase at Cheltenham. Then in March this year, he finished a creditable sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Clearly, Tidal Bay has the ability to win a National. Unfortunately, [...]

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Quolibet remains a mystery to most National punters

April 7, 2011

One of four runners set to represent Jonjo O’Neill in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday as he bids to land the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’ for the second year running, ex-French chaser Quolibet is something of an unknown quantity to most British punters, writes Elliot Slater. Like last year’s winner Don’t Push It and his other two stable companions Synchronised and Can’t Buy Time, Quolibet is owned by legendary gambler JP McManus who will have the Irish raiders Arbor Supreme and Bluesea Cracker also representing him in a race he clearly would love to win for a second time. [...]

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Santa supporters hoping Christmas comes early at Aintree

April 7, 2011

On the face of it there isn’t a great deal to recommend the Howard Johnson-trained Santa’s Son as a likely winner of the ultra-competitive John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9, but then again the same could have been said of Mon Mome before he romped to a 100/1 success in the great race in 2009, writes Elliot Slater. Available with a number of firms at odds of up to 150/1 to give the bookies an early Christmas present, the 11-year-old has been a decent horse in his time and the shrewd Johnson surely wouldn’t have entered him [...]

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Dooneys yet another live hope for Mullins

April 4, 2011

With most media attention focusing on Willie Mullins’ ante-post favourite The Midnight Club, it is easy to overlook the chances of his other intended runners in the race, each of which is worthy of consideration on its merits. The talented Dooneys Gate is a case in point, writes Elliot Slater. Dooneys Gate is a horse who has done little wrong this season and at the age of 10 seems to be better now than ever before. In good form on his final two starts last term when chasing home Dancing Hero in a decent two-mile chase at Gowran Park before [...]

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The Grand National Meeting – Top Jockey Award

March 30, 2011

The Cheltenham Top Jockey Award for the Festival seems to go the way of Ruby Walsh with monotonous regularity but it’s not so easy for the Irishman at Aintree and he has only captured the award in 2003 and 2008. Far more dominant at Aintree is his great friend and rival AP McCoy who last season captured the prize for being leading rider at the meeting for the seventh time. Anyone looking for tips for Grand National should remember there’s more to the meeting than just the big race. Last year was a close run affair for the award as [...]

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Walsh in line to ride The Midnight Club

March 30, 2011

Having been surprisingly overlooked for the ride on What A Friend in the Grand National, Ruby Walsh looks almost certain to partner the Willie Mullins trained The Midnight Club another horse with an excellent chance of landing the race. Walsh has twice partnered the winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase. He rode Papillion to victory for his Father Ted Walsh in 2000 and followed that win up when he partnered Hedgehunter to success for Mullins five years later. Clearly, Walsh has what it takes to win the National and with The Midnight Club among the favourites, he could easily [...]

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Manifesto – Greatest Of Them All?

March 28, 2011

Ask any racing enthusiast who the greatest Grand National horse of them all is and you’ll undoubtedly hear the answer “Red Rum”. But there is one horse that could dispute Rummy’s title as the greatest of the lot – and that is Manifesto whose National record over his remarkable eight runs in the race is truly amazing. Bred in Ireland by solicitor-cum-farmer Harry Dyas, Manifesto fell in his first ever race aged four at Manchester Racecourse in 1892. Fortunately for Grand National fans, it wasn’t a taste of things to come. His record improved and with some very creditable performances [...]

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Williams playing it cool with State

March 28, 2011

Evan Williams has had a long term goal of winning the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9, ever since his talented staying chaser State of Play finished a fine third behind Don’t Push It and Black Apalachi in last year’s renewal, writes Elliot Slater. Having scratched his other possible Grand National contender Deep Purple from the Aintree marathon at the latest declaration stage, Williams is set to rely on his now veteran State of Play to carry out the plan and win the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’. The 11-year-old hasn’t been seen since his fine effort in the [...]

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