GRAND NATIONAL 2011 – AINTREE SATURDAY 9TH APRIL, 4.15 PM.
It’s everyone’s favourite horse race – arguably the most famous in the world. Grand National fever is with us again as grandmothers stick pins in the paper and have a flutter.
The race that gave us Red Rum will throw up another hero this Saturday after two exhausting circuits of Aintree. For those of you requiring more than just the sharp end of a needle in order to determine what horse will carry your hopes I have provided a run down of all the runners.
P070 DON’T PUSH IT. Jonjo O’Neill. 11 11-10 A.P.McCoy
Last year’s winner attempts a repeat. 5lb more to carry this time. 12/1
3226 TIDAL BAY. H.Johnson. 10 11-9 B.Hughes
Class to win and good form on the course. 33/1
7744 VIC VENTURI. D.Hughes. 11 11-6 A.E.Lynch
Unseated in last year’s race. Look elsewhere. 50/1
524 WHAT A FRIEND. P.Nicholls. 8 11-6 D.Jacob
Finished fourth in the Gold Cup. Well in at the weights. 12/1
31 MAJESTIC CONCORDE. D.Weld. 8 11-5 Mr R.P McNamara
Good jumper. Ground suits and won the Paddy Power last time out. 25/1
42F14 OR NOIR de SOMOZA. D.Pipe. 9 11-5 T.Scudamore
Not run since November. Better chances elsewhere. 50/1
41 DOONEYS GATE. W.Mullins. 10 11-4 Mr P.W Mullins
Fourth in last year’s Topham Trophy here. Unlikely to stay this distance though. 100/1
2F44 BIG FELLA THANKS. F.Murphy. 9 11-1 G.Lee
Failed to stay the distance last year. Expect him to be produced late. 16/1
112 BALLABRIGGS. D.McCain. 10 11-0 J.Maguire
Trained by a McCain so must have a shout. 14/1
244 THE TOTHER ONE. P.Nicholls. 10 11-0 Mr R.Mahon
Fourth in the Hennessy behind Diamond Harry. Could surprise. 66/1
F58 NICHE MARKET. P.Nicholls. 10 10-13 H.Skelton
Former Irish National winner is expected to be the best of Champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ runners. 16/1
21 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB. W.Mullins. 10 10-13 R.Walsh
Won the Bobbyjo Chase last time out. Ridden by Ruby Walsh. Sure to be very popular. 8/1
7011 BACKSTAGE. G.Elliott. 9 10-12 P.Carberry
Going well in last year’s race until hampered and unseated rider. Shrewd trainer appears to have laid this one out for the race. 12/1
753F CHIEF DAN GEORGE. J.Moffatt. 11 10-12 P.Aspell
Formerly quite smart. Out of form of late. 40/1
071 SILVER BY NATURE. L.Russell. 9 10-12 P.Buchanan
Won the Grand National trial at Haydock last time. Ground probably not soft enough. 14/1
6242 CALGARY BAY. H.Knight. 8 10-10 H.Frost
Decent performer. Don’t entirely discount. 33/1
2536 KILLYGLEN. S.Crawford. 9 10-10 R.Power
Has shown signs of form this season. Worth keeping on the right side. 66/1
263 OSCAR TIME. M.Lynch. 10 10-9 Mr S Waley-Cohen
Finished second in the Irish National last season. Bought specifically for this race by the Waley-Cohen family. 12/1
42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE. N.Glynn. 8 10-8 D.Russell
Finished second in the Paddy Power Chase last time. Good jumper. Decent chance. 25/1
06P COMPLY OR DIE. D.Pipe. 12 10-8 T.Murphy
Won the National in 2008. Been given a chance at the weights. Possibly past his best. 50/1
1131 QUINZ. P.Hobbs. 7 10-8 R.Johnson
Would be the first seven year old to win the race since 1940. Decent novice. 16/1
F25P QUOLIBET. Jonjo O’Neill. 7 10-8 M P Walsh
Not for me. 150/1
P18P GRAND SLAM HERO. N.Twiston-Davies. 10 10-7 A.Coleman
Has some decent form but can’t see winning this. 100/1
11P5 KING FONTAINE. M.Jefferson. 8 10-6 D.O’Regan
Decent performer. Going will suit. Could come out on top. 66/1
P3- STATE OF PLAY. E.Williams. 11 10-6 P.Moloney
Fourth two year’s ago and third last year. Goes best fresh so long absence is a plus. Live chance. 25/1
1P HELLO BUD. N.Twiston-Davies. 13 10-5 S.Twiston-Davies
Would be the first 13 year old to win since 1923. 33/1
431U IN COMPLIANCE. D.Hughes. 11 10-5 L.Aspell
Probably won’t stay. 66/1
7710 SANTA’S SON. H.Johnson. 11 10-5 J.Moore
Won’t stay. Bodyswerve. 150/1
11P WEST END ROCKER. A.King. 9 10-5 R.Thornton
Ground to suit. Alan King doesn’t run many in the National. Take the hint. 33/1
046 BLUESEA CRACKER. J.Motherway. 9 10-4 A.J.McNamara
J P McManus bought this one recently to try and give him a second winner of the race in consecutive years. 25/1
8P5P CAN’T BUY TIME. Jonjo O’Neill. 9 10-4 R.McLernon
Doesn’t stay the trip so can’t win. 66/1
0563 CHARACTER BUILDING. J.Quinn. 11 10-4 Miss N.Carberry
Seventh last year for Nina Carberry. In better form going into the race this time and excellent each-way bet. 25/1
/52 ORNAIS. P.Nicholls. 9 10-4 N.Scholfield
Been Hunting this season. Pass over. 100/1
34PP PIRAYA. D.Pipe. 8 10-4 J.Farrelly
Pulled up last twice. Won’t be snapping up this prize. 150/1
/0 SURFACE TO AIR. C.Bealby. 10 10-4 T.Messenger
Only one run since 2008. Won’t win. 66/1
1059 THAT’S RHYTHM. M.Todhunter. 11 10-4 J.Reveley 
Sure to stay the distance. Too slow to win. 150/1
9P2 ARBOR SUPREME. W.Mullins. 9 10-3 D.Casey
Fancied last year and ran encouragingly last time. One to consider. 20/1
42P ROYAL ROSA. H.Johnson. 12 10-3 P.Gallacher
Probably jump round but in his own time. 100/1
0019 GOLDEN KITE. A.McGuire. 9 10-2 S.J Hassett
Ground in his favour. No forlorn hope. 50/1
011 SKIPPERS BRIG. N.Richards. 10 10-2 D.Elsworth
Beat Ballabriggs last time out at Kelso. Possible. 33/1
40 Runners. Each-Way: 1,2,3,4. 1/4 Odds.
1ST WEST END ROCKER. 2ND CHARACTER BUILDING. 3RD SKIPPERS BRIG. 4TH ARBOR SUPREME.
Odds supplied by Ladbrokes.