Butler’s Cabin Ended up being favourite, and the ride of Champion Jockey AP McCoy, for The 2009 John Smiths Grand National completing and finishing seventh. The partnership was travelling very well in 2008 before tipping up at second Bechers. Don’t expect to see this former Irish National winner in top form until early April as he will be prepared specifically for Aintree but his chance may now have gone.
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My Will Consistent stayer for Trainer Paul Nicholls having run creditably in all the top chases during the 2006/2007 season. Great comeback season in 2009 finishing third in the John Smith's Grand National, fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and fifth in the 2008 Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury. Will once again be lightly campaigned with Aintree in mind but will be shouldered with considerably more weight this year.
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Denman Star staying chaser of the powerful Paul Nicholls stable and former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in 2008. Many feel his galloping and jumping style would suit both the big fences and the distance even with automatic top weight. A third crack at The Gold Cup looms first, before any decision to run.
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Big Fella Thanks Slightly quirky character who has run consistently as a Novice this season for Trainer Paul Nicholls including when third in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton and sixth in The John Smith's Grand National. Only seven and owned by the same connections as Denman. May have run in the race a year early and worth watching for the future. Interesting.
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Comply Or Die 2008 John Smith’s Grand National winner for Trainer David Pipe and Jockey Timmy Murphy and ran a blinder to be runner-up to Mon Mome in 2009 with considerably more weight. The horse is likely to run disappointingly without the aid of blinkers early in the season, but they will be re-fitted in the spring for another tilt at Aintree. Higher in the handicap again (more weight) this year and it may hinder his chances with no horse having won more than one National other than the great Red Rum in 1973/74 and 77.
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Character Building Many people’s idea of an ideal National type and satisfactory season in 2008/2009, winning over hurdles before being successful at The Cheltenham Festival in March. Intended Grand National Runner in 2009 but late setback prevented his participation. A very nimble jumper and third behind Denman in the 2007 Hennessey he has very low mileage on the clock and could be a live contender if getting there fit on the day.
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Snowy Morning Third in the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National running well for much of the way before being passed at the last fence. Followed that up by completing for ninth place in the 2009 National having carried much more weight. Improvement possible in the jumping department and Trainer Willie Mullins has won it before with Hedgehunter back in 2005. Looks to be too high in the weights but place chances.
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Cloudy Lane Favourite for the 2008 Grand National when finishing sixth and then carried top weight for The 2009 Grand National when unseating at The Chair. Owned by Trevor Hemmings who was successful in 2005 with Hedgehunter and from the Donald McCain Red Rum stable. His chance may well have gone having run up a sequence of victories in the past.
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Darkness Former top novice chaser from a couple of seasons ago and usually partnered by AP McCoy. Won at Newbury recently but will not have the services of the Champion jockey for the National. Owned by Lady Lloyd Webber and trained by Charlie Egerton who saddled Mely Moss to be second back in 2000.
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Can't Buy Time An excellent jumper but not certain to stay the distance having looked not to get home at Cheltenham over four miles recently. Yet another possible ride for Champion Jockey AP McCoy, as he seeks his first victory in the race. An improving horse who has recorded four victories this season under the care of Trainer Jonjo O’Neill, most recently winning at Sandown Park.
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Irish Invader Talented Irish chaser from Trainer Willie Mullins' stable. Won at the Punchestown Festival last April and run up a sequence already this season. Untried at extreme distances and passed over by Ruby Walsh in favour of My Will.
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Southern Vic Former useful novice for Trainer Ted Walsh (responsible for 2000 Grand National winner Papillon) however now not won since October 2006. Ran in the Becher Chase at Aintree in November when unseating at The Canal Turn and hardly inspired confidence in subsequent runs back in Ireland. Needs soft ground which is looking unlikely and another one passed over by Ruby Walsh in favour of My Will.
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State Of Play Winner of the 2006 Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury for Trainer Evan Williams and looks potentially well handicapped on his old form. Won the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his first run this season back in November and another with a good each way chance if back to his best form.
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Kilbeggan Blade Three out of three this season having won two chases and a hurdle race this term for Trainer Tom George and Champion Jockey AP McCoy (twice) but unlikely to have the services of the Champ when lining up for the National. Ran very disappointingly in last years Scottish National ay Ayr in April.
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Maljimar Lively outsider for Trainer Nick Williams and Jockey Daryl Jacob. Ran fantastically well at The Cheltenham Festival recently over three miles when looking like the winner on the run-in, only to be mugged by Wichita Lineman under an inspired AP McCoy ride in the shadows of the winning post. Decent chance if that race has not left it's mark.
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Offshore Account Irish challenger for Trainer Charlie Swan and could be one to check in the market given the Irish record in the race over the past few saesons. Lightly raced and could have been campaigned with Aintree in mind.
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L'ami Former top class chaser for France and another possible ride for AP McCoy. Now trained in Ireland by Enda Bolger for owner JP McManus and campaigned over the cross country chases this season. Gave Mick Fitzgerald a career ending fall at the second in the race 12 months ago and looks a bit long in the tooth now.
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Chelsea Harbour Irish challenger who went well for Jockey Davy Russell for a long way in the 2008 Grand National before fading into ninth place. The horse has been in good form this season with two wins to his name already and likely to be one of the leading Irish challengers. Looks to be weighted right up to his best and others appeal more.
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Himalayan Trail Formally with Trainer Sue Smith when winning twice last March. Now trained in Ireland by Joseph Mangan, who was successful with Monty’s Pass in 2003. The horse was fifth in this year’s Becher Chase and will surely have been prepared with Aintree in mind. One of the more likely outsiders given the Irish record in the race.
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Cornish Sett Another trained by Champion Paul Nicholls and ran with credit without looking like winning 12 months ago. In much better form this year winning at Wincanton before putting in a determined display at Chepstow in the Welsh National to finish second. Lively outsider on ground he will like.
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Silver Birch Winner of the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National for Trainer Gordon Elliott having once been a top chaser for Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls winning both the Becher Chase at Aintree and the Welsh National at Chepstow in 2004. Sadly seems very injury prone and not getting any younger for yet another comeback having not run since his victory in the National.
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Knowhere Consistant performer for Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies but looking out of form this season running poorly most recently in The Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fell at The Canal Turn in 2007 and then at Valentines in The 2008 John Smith’s Grand National. Jumping obviously needs to be brushed up and others look safer.
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Parsons Legacy Trained by Somerset handler Phillip Hobbs and must have good ground. He must have a lively chance as conditions look ideally suitable at Aintree this spring. This horse has been lightly raced since January 2008 but did make a pleasing come back at Cheltenham in October.
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Ollie Magern Another former top class horse for former winning Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. Loves to force the pace and looks sure to be up there from the outset. Likely to lead at the first but not at the finish.
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Mon Mome Ran in the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National for Female Trainer Venetia Williams when somewhat out of form. The horse is in much better order this season and has already been second at Haydock before winning a big prize at Cheltenham. Jumping lets him down on occasions including in the Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas.
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