Grand National weights

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loosehead

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Last year's winner Don't Push It and Neptune Collonge both share top weight of 11st 10lb for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on 9 April.

Don't Push It ended Tony McCoy's long wait for an Aintree winner in 2010 when triumphing under 11st 5lb. Paul Nicholls' Neptune Collonges, winner of the Argento Chase last time out, is among 10 entries for the trainer. They include former Irish National winner Niche Market on 10st 13lb while What A Friend, who is part-owned by Alex Ferguson, is off 11st 6lb.

Donald McCain's Ballabriggs is as low as 14-1 favourite with some bookmakers and he has been handed 11st for the feature event.

Willie Mullins' The Midnight Club (10st 13lb) is also prominent in the ante-post lists along with Big Fella Thanks (11st 1lb) and West End Rocker (10st 5lb).

Mullins has nine possibles in total with Dooneys Gate (11st 4lb) and Scotsirish (11st 2lb) the highest rated of his team.

Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde is an eyecatching entry on 11st 5lb.


Merigo won last year's Scottish National and he has been given 10st 1lb in the initial list while the 2010 Irish National winner Bluesea Cracker, trained by James Motherway, has 10st 4lb.

Becauseicouldntsee is another to note on 10st 8lb while Evan Williams has two contenders in Deep Purple (11st 7lb) and State Of Play (10st 6lb) who has finished fourth and third in the last two renewals.

Plenty of last year's runners could be back for another crack with fifth Hello Bud (10st 5lb), sixth Snowy Morning (10st 9lb) and seventh Character Building (10st 4lb) among the 101 remaining entries.

David Pipe sent out Comply Or Die to win in 2008 and that horse has 10st 8lb this time while stablemate Or Noir De Somoza has the heavier impost of 11st 5lb.

As well as Tidal Bay, trainer Howard Johnson has Grand Sefton winner Frankie Figg (10st 3lb) with Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde an eyecatching entry on 11st 5lb.

The four-and-a-half-mile marathon has a safety limit of 40 runners and O'Neill's Quolibet, a French recruit who has yet to run in this country, is currently 40th on the list.
 
Full list of weights


1) 23P1-P0 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE) 11-11-10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

2) F14/-B01 NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) 10-11-10 John Hales Paul Nicholls

3) 104-322 TIDAL BAY (IRE) 10-11-09 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

4) 1-41111 MIDNIGHT CHASE 9-11-08 Lady Clarke Neil Mulholland

5) 1P46-3U DEEP PURPLE 10-11-07 Paul Green Evan Williams

6) 2106-11 TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 9-11-07 Dermot Cox/Nelius Hayes Edward O'Grady IRE

7) 131-561 SYNCHRONISED (IRE) 8-11-06 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

8) 501B-00 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 11-11-06 Seamus Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE

9) 61/211-5 WHAT A FRIEND 8-11-06 Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson Paul Nicholls

10) U62/1-31 MAJESTIC CONCORDE (IRE) 8-11-05 Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE

11) 2F1425 OR NOIR DE SOMOZA (FR) 9-11-05 Silvio-Martin Staub David Pipe

12) 01F24-41 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 10-11-04 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE

13) 16-1155 LITTLE JOSH (IRE) 9-11-03 Tony Bloom Nigel Twiston-Davies

14) 20-3534 SCOTSIRISH (IRE) 10-11-02 Double R Stables Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

15) 2U14-2F BIG FELLA THANKS 9-11-01 Maggie Findlay Ferdy Murphy

16) 3111-11 BALLABRIGGS (IRE) 10-11-00 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain

17) 14P//1-0F TARANIS (FR) 10-11-00 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls

18) UP-3631 TATENEN (FR) 7-11-00 The Stewart Family Richard Rowe

19) 205-244 THE TOTHER ONE (IRE) 10-11-00 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls

20) 520P-F5 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 10-10-13 Graham Regan Paul Nicholls

21) U3133-2 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) 10-10-13 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

22) 0BP-500 BACKSTAGE (FR) 9-10-12 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE

23) 30011-0 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 11-10-12 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt

24) 5121-00 SILVER BY NATURE 9-10-12 Geoff Brown Lucinda Russell

25) 1500-10 FAIR ALONG (GER) 9-10-11 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs

26) F42040 I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES (IRE) 9-10-11 Jo Tracey David Pipe

27) 4UP-250 NOTRE PERE (FR) 10-10-11 Tilly Conway Barry Potts IRE

28) 4-56242 CALGARY BAY (IRE) 8-10-10 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight

29) P2P-253 KILLYGLEN (IRE) 9-10-10 David McCammon Stuart Crawford IRE

30) 1/2100-P TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 8-10-10 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

31) 121616- JUST AMAZING (IRE) 8-10-09 Catherine Penny Paul Nicholls

32) 3152-26 OSCAR TIME (IRE) 10-10-09 Robert Waley-Cohen/Sir Martin & S Broughton Martin Lynch IRE

33) 032236- SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 11-10-09 Quayside Syndicate Colin Bowe IRE

34) 0100-03 BALLYTRIM (IRE) 10-10-08 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE

35) 2212-42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 8-10-08 Noel Glynn Noel Glynn IRE

36) 2/000-06 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 12-10-08 David Johnson David Pipe

37) 1-122B0 NEDZER'S RETURN (IRE) 9-10-08 William Elliott Gordon Elliott IRE

38) P-550042 NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 10-10-08 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

39) 510-113 QUINZ (FR) 7-10-08 Andrew Cohen Philip Hobbs

40) 2F-FF25 QUOLIBET (FR) 7-10-08 J P McManus Jonjo O’Nell



41) 313-355 FROM DAWN TO DUSK 12-10-07 Charles Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs

42) 11FP10P GRAND SLAM HERO (IRE) 10-10-07 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

43) 3P6/454-P ROLL ALONG (IRE) 11-10-07 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies

44) 2212-52 APT APPROACH (IRE) 8-10-06 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

45) P22-41F GULLIBLE GORDON (IRE) 8-10-06 Bunty Millard Paul Nicholls

46) 3211-11 KING FONTAINE (IRE) 8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson

47) 0/144/P3- STATE OF PLAY 11-10-06 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams

48) 21PP-PP DREAM ALLIANCE 10-10-05 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs

49) 005P-1P HELLO BUD (IRE) 13-10-05 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies

50) 566U-343 IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-05 Westerly Breeze Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE



51) 0/1160-2 QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) 7-10-05 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE

52) 6-220001 SANTA'S SON (IRE) 11-10-05 Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont Howard Johnson

53) 2P/00-11 WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 9-10-05 Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King

54) 0C21-04 BLUESEA CRACKER (IRE) 9-10-04 Note The Link Syndicate James Motherway IRE

55) 16F-0P5 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

56) 000-3056 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn

57) 1215/1P/-5 ORNAIS (FR) 9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

58) 00P-234 PIRAYA (FR) 8-10-04 Terry Neill David Pipe

59) PP2/111/- SURFACE TO AIR 10-10-04 Tim Urry Chris Bealby

60) 301050 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR) 11-10-04 Don't Tell Henry Martin Todhunter

61) 0U2F-0P ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE

62) 1F3U-P1U FRANKIE FIGG (IRE) 9-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

63) 15P-614 MOBAASHER (USA) 8-10-03 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams

64) 331-P31 NICTO DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 10-10-03 Exors of the late Philip de Wilde Victor Dartnall

65) 1P0-053U ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 10-10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

66) 013111- OUR MONTY (IRE) 8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE

67) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR) 12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

68) 0P1-006 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen

69) 421001 GOLDEN KITE (IRE) 9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan Adrian Maguire IRE

70) P1P-41U MEANUS DANDY (IRE) 8-10-02 Mark & Tessa Woodhouse & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls

71) 41/313-0 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE) 10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards

72) 1F4/22-1 BELON GALE (IRE) 8-10-01 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

73) 3/402P-0 FAASEL (IRE) 10-10-01 Hush Hush Partnership David Pipe

74) 3P-0204 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 8-10-01 Glass Half Full Richard Lee

75) 0D61-0F MERIGO (FR) 10-10-01 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker

76) 321112 PUTNEY BRIDGE 9-10-01 Louise Goldsworthy Keith Goldsworthy

77) 012P51 QUEZAC DE LA ROQUE (FR) 7-10-01 Gerald Laroche Francois Cottin FR

78) 256-0216 ASKTHEMASTER (IRE) 11-10-00 Carrolle Wall Robert Tyner IRE

79) 363221- DEV (IRE) 11-10-00 Liam Mulryan Gordon Elliott IRE

80) F123-P2 GILES CROSS (IRE) 9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall

81) 111U0-6 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 9-10-00 Billy Moffett/R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE

82) 11P61/0/- STARZAAN (IRE) 12-10-00 Ben Arbib Hughie Morrison

83) 60U0-60 AMBOBO (USA) 11-9-13 Deirdre Brassil Martin Brassil IRE

84) 05241P DUERS (IRE) 9-9-13 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE

85) 31-PP11 SAGALYRIQUE (FR) 7-9-13 Sir Robert Ogden Donald McCain

86) 311120- TOBY JUG 10-9-13 Paul & Caron Chapman & Sarah Humphrey Sarah Humphrey

87) 635P-6P CANE BRAKE (IRE) 12-9-12 Mount Temple Racing Syndicate Conor O'Dwyer IRE

88) 5/2613-P GALANT NUIT (FR) 7-9-12 David Parry Ferdy Murphy

89) 3131-32 JUNIOR 8-9-12 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe

90) 00-5064 THE SAWYER (BEL) 11-9-12 David Fear Bob Buckler

91) 315F-0(3)F KHACHATURIAN (IRE) 8-9-10 John Glews & Brendan Richardson Donald McCain

92) 40F-0445 BALLYFITZ 11-9-09 Fred & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies

93) P0-24U34 I'MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) 8-9-09 Fred Matthews Neil Mulholland

94) PF4-536 POMME TIEPY (FR) 8-9-09 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

95) P12-UPP3 BURREN LEGEND (IRE) 10-9-08 Thomas Thompson Richard Rowe

96) 12/- CARRONHILLS (IRE) 9-9-08 A J & Mrs C Rhead & Gearoid Costello Rebecca Curtis

97) 204/12-PP THE SLIOTAR (IRE) 10-9-08 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs

98) 4F2P-43 TINAKELLYLAD (IRE) 7-9-07 Brenda Twomey Mouse Morris IRE

99) 021-062 NOBLE CONCORDE 9-9-04 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

100) F/116PP- TREACLE (IRE) 10-9-04 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE

101) 560-P232 REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 10-9-02 Janet Heler Tom George

101 entries

34 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING ENTRY HAS BEEN SCRATCHED: GLENCOVE MARINA (IRE)

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Tricky Trickster very attractively weighted compared to last year. He's an out an out stayer and was never really on terms in the race in 2010 but I put that down to the after effects of running in the AON (lung bursting effort) and the Gold Cup rather than a lack of cut in the ground. 42 on the machine. Yes please.
 
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I've been backing Always Waining for small stakes for a while and would trust Mr Bowen to have him spot on for the day but at 68 not sure he'll get a run. :(
 
82 horses are on 10-0 or higher, so presumably almost the entire field on the day will be in the handicap proper.
 
Any idea on a cut off point at this stage?

There's a couple I'd fancy for the race waaaaaaay down the weights in the 60's and low 70's - already assumed the latter won't run and the former would be a major doubt.
 
Grey said:
82 horses are on 10-0 or higher, so presumably almost the entire field on the day will be in the handicap proper.
Click to expand...

Very likely. In accordance with the way the GN weights are framed these days. It's still difficult to lump above 11st round Aintree though and those at the top of the weights are likely to prove poor value, as usual.
 
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Top weight running off 160 this year as opposed to 158 last. There looks to be a few more classier types in the sub 11st band this year than last as well.
 
Irish Stamp said:
Any idea on a cut off point at this stage?

There's a couple I'd fancy for the race waaaaaaay down the weights in the 60's and low 70's - already assumed the latter won't run and the former would be a major doubt.
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Quezac De La Roque is on Irish's short-list (NAP).

:D
 
Could any of our Irish contingent tell us anything about the Quayside Syndicate?? Would love to see Snowy Morning run well and looks to be having an interesting prep.
 
rorydelargy said:
Sam Waley-Cohen should be forced to concede weight over the National fences - his record is exceptional.
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I suppose when you look at it that way!!:o he has won a couple of little races around there. Still would prefer a Geraghty or Johnston though. 20/1 is a miserable price.
 
Euronymous said:
Top weight running off 160 this year as opposed to 158 last. There looks to be a few more classier types in the sub 11st band this year than last as well.
Click to expand...

Yes. Even though the handicapper appears to have been particularly kind to those at the top of the handicap this year. The actual winner comes from a narrow band lower down the handicap year in year out. No real reason to think it will be any different this year despite the compression.
 
Paul Nicholls rates his runners

Gullible Gordon: Only a tentative entry at this stage. Hopefully will run in the Cross Country race at the Festival. If the ground is good he could definitely run in the race though.

Just Amazing: Will run in Hunter Chases prior to a tilt at the Cheltenham Foxhunters, for which he is still trying to qualify. Runs at Sandown on Friday. He needs to finish first or second there, and again in either of those positions in another race before March 1 to qualify for Cheltenham. We will see where we stand after that.

Meanus Dandy: A definite possible at this stage, but looks as though he will struggle to get in. Needs good ground and goes to Doncaster on March 5.

Neptune Collonges: Came back sore and with a swollen off-fore joint after his Cheltenham win, but thankfully x-rays revealed nothing untoward. Back in work now, and the plan is to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Handicapper has given him a bit of a chance by dropping him 8lb for this race, but myself and John Hales will sit down after Cheltenham.

Niche Market: Is probably our number one hope at the moment. Had a breathing operation after his fifth in the Hennessy and is back in full work. Will go to Newbury for the race we won last year with Big Fella Thanks on March 5 - the intention is for Ruby to ride him in that race - and goes to Aintree afterwards.

Ornais: Had his first run after two years off the track at Wincanton, and will improve enormously for the run. I suspect we will find another Hunter Chase for him, possibly at Fontwell a week on Sunday, and then go straight to Liverpool. He wants cut in the ground. I like his weight.

Taranis: Is being aimed at what was the William Hill Chase on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. Mrs Yeoman is not that keen on the National, but we will talk after Cheltenham.

The Tother One: Ran well when fourth in the Hennessy, though has disappointed since. But is the type of horse to go well in the race, and would prefer decent ground. Could go straight to Aintree nice and fresh.

Tricky Trickster: Is a possible, especially on soft ground. Has had a breathing operation since his last run but could possibly go for something like the Midlands National or Scottish National instead of Aintree. The ground will be the key to where he goes, though. Will run in a 3m novices' hurdle at Newbury in a fortnight.

What A Friend: Is a very unlikely runner at this stage. His current plans are the rearranged Aon at Newbury on Friday, the Gold Cup, then the Martell at Aintree.
 
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