2012 - Neptune Collonges

The winner
Neptune Collonges' retirement was immediately announced and he retired to his owners farm in Shropshire. He did compete in dressage events for a few years.
Leading Fancies
Following the grim scenes at Aintree last year a number of modifications were made to the format of the race and to the National Course. A review conducted by the racecourse authorities, and the British Horse Racing Authority, in consultation with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare recommended the following amendments to the course ; -
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Fence 1 (fence 17 on second circuit) to be levelled out on the landing side to remove several minor contours.
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Fence 4 (fence 20 on second circuit) to be rebuilt and reduced in height by two inches to 4 ft 10 inches.
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Bechers to have its drop on the landing side reduced by between four and five inches.
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Height of toe-boards at the base of all fences to be increased from nine inches to fourteen inches, in line with ordinary fences.
Other recommendations were made to improve the safety of race participants, including :-
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The requirement for participating horses to have previously finished fourth or better in a recognised steeplechase of at least three miles.
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The minimum age of eligible horses to be increased from six to seven years.
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The creation of a new post-race washdown and cooling area.
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Flexibility in shortening or removing the pre-race parade in hot weather
2012 also marked the end of the BBCs eighty five year association with the National - I, for one would not be shedding a tear as the BEEB had lost interest in racing years ago. But back to the runners ON HIS OWN was a lighty raced individual who had only had two starts for his new connections but was impressive in victory in the valuable Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park which put him in contention for this. SYNCHRONISED had developed from a very useful handicapper with wins last season in the Welsh and Midlands Nationals to a top class steeplechaser this season with victories in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He would be the first Gold Cup winner since Master Oats in 1995 to attempt the Gold Cup/Grand National double in the same season. If he took to the fences this was the one they had to beat. SEABASS ridden by Katie Walsh looked to be the best chance for a lady rider to taste victory in the history of the National. This Aintree debutant had won his last seven starts, six chases and a point to point. Five of the wins had come after a twenty month absence including in a big field at Leopardstown in January. He was a very exciting prospect. SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM was a winner of a handicap chase at the Punchestown Festval in May and Cheltenham in December. Behind Calgary Bay at Doncaster and a spin over hurdles on his last start to freshen him up. He was the subject of a late plunge which was a little suprising as he did not set the world alight when he was unplaced in last years Topham. BALLABRIGGS had been a very impressive winner of this last year making most of the running to win but had finished exhausted and he became the first National winner not to be led into the winners enclosure afterwards. He had just the one race this season at Kelso where he ran satisfactorily. Although he was inevitably hiked in the weights another strong run was on the cards. KILLYGLEN was still in contention in this last year when falling four out. Not shown too much this season until winning a small event at Down Royal on his last start. CAPPA BLEU had returned from nearly a two years absence to win a competitive handicap at Haydock and followed that with third in the Welsh National. It was notable that the stable jockey had opted for this one over State of Play a horse with proven form in this race. One for the short-list. One had to respect the current Becher Chase winner and this year it was WEST END ROCKER. He had been brought down in the melee at first Bechers last year but came back to Aintree with a runaway victory on heavy going in December. Strangely he had not been seen out since. Finally a mention to an Aintree debutant from a small stable with sound each way prospects. ACCORDING TO PETE who was in sparkling form this season winning for the first time since his novice days with victories in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby and Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. He had finished ahead of Ballabriggs at Kelso on his last start.
JOHN SMITHS GRAND NATIONAL £418,860 to the winner, £172,380 to the second, £86,190 to the third, £43095 to the fourth, £21,548 to the fifth, £10,725 to the sixth, £5,460 to the seventh, £2,633 to the eighth, £1,365 to the ninth & £683 to the tenth
1 3-p0311 SYNCHRONISED 9, 11-10 (J J O'Nell) - A P McCoy
2 1/1121-4 BALLABRIGGS 11, 11-9 (D.McCain) - Jason Maguire
3 10p-13p WEIRD AL 9, 11-8 (D.McCain) - Timmy Murphy
4 00-p422 NEPTUNE COLLONGES 11, 11-6 (P F Nicholls) - Daryl Jacob
5 2f-0011 CALGARY BAY 9, 11-6 (Henrietta Knight) - Dominic Elsworth
6 0041up ALFA BEAT 8, 11-5 (J J Hardon - Ireland) - Davy Russell
7 01/30-23 PLANET OF SOUND 10, 11-5 (Philip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson
8 1u022/2 BLACK APALACHI 13, 11-3 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Denis O'Regan
9 3u34-1f DEEP PURPLE 11, 11-3 (Evan Williams) - Jamie Moore
10 1/321-02 JUNIOR 9, 11-2 (Davd Pipe) - Tom Scudamore
11 0-u3032 CHICAGO GREY 9, 10-13 (G.Elliott - ireland) - Paul Carberry
12 100-010 TATENEN 8, 10-13 (R.Rowe) - Andrew Thornton
13 1/11111 SEABASS 9, 10-12 (Ted Walsh - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh
14 00-1122 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM 8, 10-12 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty
15 11pb-p1 WEST END ROCKER 10, 10-12 (Alan King) - Wayne Htchinson
16 2-30112 ACCORDING TO PETE 11, 10-12 (M.Jefferson) - Harry Haynes\
17 14p1-b1 ON HIS OWN 8, 10-11 (W P Mullins - Ireland) - Ruby Walsh
18 113-1pp ALWAYS RIGHT 10, 10-10 (J.Wade) - James Reveley
19 f2p/133 CAPA BLEU 10, 10-10 (E.WIlliams) - Paul Moloney
20 340003 RARE BOB 10, 10-9 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Bryan Cooper
21 21-33f0 ORGANISEDCONFUSION 7, 10-8 (A L T Moore - Ireland) - Miss Nina Carberry
22 p-01423 TREACLE 11, 10- 8 (T J Taaffe - Ireland) - Andrew Lynch
23 10-b430 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB 11, 10-8 (W P Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend
24 f/02pp0 MON MOME 12, 10-8 (Venetia Williams) - Aiden Coleman
25 0p2f-00 ARBOR SPREME 10, 10-7 (J J O'Neill) - Mark Walsh
26 f-30p01 SUNNYHILLBOY 9, 10-5 (J J O'Neill) - Richie McLernon
27 030341 KILLYGLEN 10, 10-4 (S.Crawford - Ireland) - Robbie Power
28 2f-4010 QUISCOVER FONTAINE 8, 10-4 (W P Mullins) - David Casey
29 p13000 THARAWAAT 7, 10-4 (G.Elliott - Ireland) - Brian O'Connell
30 f-03f22 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE 9, 10-3 (N.Glynn - Ireland) - Davy Condon
31 144p3/4- STATE OF PLAY 12, 10-3 (E.Williams) - Noel Fehily
32 313p20 SWING BILL 11, 10-3 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell
33 p-20011 POSTMASTER 10, 10-2 (T.Vaughan) - Dougie Costello
34 p22-121 GILES CROSS 10, 10-1 (V.Dartnell) - Paddy Brennan
35 1/10p-10 MIDNIGHT HAZE 10, 10-0 (Kim Bailey) - Sean Quinlan
36 4b-2110 VIC VENTURI 12, 10-0 (D T Hughes - Ireand) - Harry Skelton
37 31u0-p3 IN COMPLIANCE 12, 10-0 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Niall Madden
38 0-143p0 VIKING BLOND 7, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Brian Hughes
39 p-0u004 HELLO BUD 14, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Sam Twiston-Davies
40 310040 NEPTUNE EQUESTER 9, 10-0 (B.Ellison) - Felix de Giles
S.P : 8-1 Seabass & Shakalakaboomboom, 12-1 Ballabriggs, 10-1 Synchronised, 14-1 Killyglen & On His Own, 16-1 Cappa Bleu, Junior, Sunnyhillboy & West End Rocker, 20-1 Chicago Grey, Giles Cross & Organisedconfusion, 22-1 Treacle, 25-1 Always Right, Becauseicouldntsee, Black Apalachi & Deep Purple, 28-1 According to Pete & Weird Al, 33-1 Calgary Bay, Hello Bud, NEPTUNE COLLONGES & Planet of Sound, 40-1 Rare Bob, State of Play & The Midnight Club, 50-1 Alfa Beat, Mon Mome & Quiscover Fontaine, 80-1 Midnight Haze, Vic Venturi & Viking Blond, 100-1 Arbor Supreme, In Compliance, Neptune Equester, Postmaster, Swing Bill & Tatenen, 125-1 Tharawaat
Aintree debutants
According to Pete*, Always Right, Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey, Deep Purple*, Giles Cross*, Midnight Haze*, Neptune Collonges*, Neptune Equester*, On His Own, Organisedconfusion*, Planet of Sound*, Quiscover Fontaine, Seabass, Sunnyhillboy, Synchronised*, Tatenen, Tharawaat*, Treacle, Viking Blond*, Weird Al
Winners at Aintree
BALLABRIGGS - Grand National (2011)
BLACK APALACHI - Becher Chase (2008)
HELLO BUD - Becher Chase (2010)
MON MOME - Grand National (2009)
VIC VENTURI - Becher Chase (2009)
WEST END ROCKER - Becher Chase (2011)
Result
1st NEPTUNE COLLONGES - Daryl Jacob
2nd SUNNYHILLBOY - Richie McLernon
3rd SEABASS - Miss Katie Walsh
4th CAPPA BLEU - Paul Moloney
Distances : A nose, five lengths & seven lengths
Time : 9 mins 5.10 seconds
Owned by John Hales
Trained by Paul Nicholls
15 finshers
25 non-finishers (10 fell, 4 unseated rider, 3 brought down, 3 hampered & unseated rider, 4 pulled up, 1 refused & unseated rider)
2 fatalities
The Class of 2012
ACCORDING TO PETE (2001) b g - Accordion (IRE) - Magic Bloom (Full of Hope) - Won 2 NHF, 4 hurdles & 2 chases between 2005 & 2012. Finishing third in back to back handicaps at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals in 2008 were the highlights of his career over timber. He was a muuch better chaser winning his first three chases before he was beaten into fourth place in the Skybet Chase at Uttoxeter. He still ran occasionally on the flat and did so twice after that last chase. He seemed an ideal National sort and came in for each way support on the back of victories in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby and Peter Marsh Chase. He was still in contention when he was unluckily brought down at second Bechers. Tragically he broke a shoulder and had to be destroyed.
ALFA BEAT (IRE) (2004) gr g - Environment Friend - Belle D'Anjou (FR) (Saint Cyrien (FR)) - Won 2 hurdles and 5 chases between 2008 & 2012. Won his point to point but was initially only average. A change of trainer though in June 2010 worked wonders and he won his first five starts over fences for new connections culminating with victory in the 2008 Kerry National. He finished fourth in the National Hunt Chase on his next start and then fell late on in the Topham. After a couple of spells over hurdles he won a second Kerry National. He failed to complete in his two prep races for the National and was a 50-1 outsider. He took a heavy fall at the seventh fence. He did not see a racecourse again.
ALWAYS RIGHT (IRE) (2002) ch g - Right WIn (IRE) - Kemal Brave (IRE) (Kemal (FR)) - Won 7 chases between 2008 & 2014. Another in the lightly raced category as he only ran twenty two times under rules and never raced more than four times in a season. He won five point to points in 2008 & 2009 and won on his debut under rules, a hunter chase at Perth in May 2008. By 2010-11 he was running in handicap company and was pretty good winning the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster and finished third in the Scottish National. He won on his first start in 2011-12 at Kelso but pulled up on his next two starts and at Aintree he unseated when in contention at the Chair. He won a listed chase at Kelso in 2013 and a samall race at Ayr in 2014 but in the whole he was disappointing after his Aintere exertions. He last raced at Kelso in December 2014.
ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) (2002) b g - Supreme Leader - Peters's Well (IRE) (Electric) - Won NHF and 4 chases between 2007 & 2013. The highight of his career came when winning a big field handicap chase beating Black Apalachi at the Punchestown Festival in 2008. Apart from that he was distinctly average. Ran in three Nationals and failed to finish each time. The third last in 2011 was the furthest he got. He did win a small race at Exeter, his first success in over four years at the end of his career. He last raced at Carlisle in Feburuary 2013.
BLACK APALACHI (IRE) (1999) b g - Old Vic (IRE) - Hattons Dream (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) - Won NHF, 2 hurdles and 4 chases between 2004 & 2012. Liked to blaze the trail at Aintree and became a real National favourite. He won his bumper and was fairly useful in his younger days the highlight being victory in the Christmas cavalry charge that is the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in 2005 on what was only his fourth start over fences. He hadn't won though in over two years when he was an unfancied 66-1 shot for the 2008 National and he fell when leading at the second. It was a heavy fall too but it appeared to have no lasting ill effects as later that year he ran away with the Becher Chase. It was an attritional race, run on desperately heavy going. He led throughout and won by a staggering seventy four lengths. He then won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and was now amongst the favourites for the 2009 National starting at 11-1. Oh what might have been - he led from the start and was still in front and full of running when he stumbled slightly after second Bechers and rider Denis O 'Regan was out of the saddle. Second Bechers is too far from the finish to say whether he would have won but it is noted that after his departure the field bunched up and slowed down considerably. I think he would have had a shout. Aimed for the 2010 renewal he only raced two times between the Nationals and again he was prominent throughout. He was not so dominent this time but he led from second Bechers and was only headed by Don't Push It at the last and he could not go with the winner once the Elbow was reached. Then he was off for a year and the same programme was mapped out for him for the 2012 renewal. After finishing second in the Bobbyo he ran at Aintree but took a heavy fall at first Canal and time was called on his career.
CALGARY BAY (IRE) (2003) b g Taipan (IRE) - Thatch (IRE) (Phardante (FR) - Won Hurdle & 5 chases between 2007 & 2015. FInished unplaced in the RSA Novices Hurdle in 2008 and the 2009 Arkle. Won a small race at Doncaster in December 2009 which was only his second win over fences so it was very ambitious to run him in the Gold Cup. To be honest though in 2010 all talk was about Kauto Star against Denman and they had pretty much scared off a most of the serious opposition so there was plenty of place money to go around. He did finish sixth albeit he was never in with a realistic chance. He didn't try again but ran in two Nationals falling early in 2011 and finishing a year later. He twice won at Cheltenhams new years day meeting and won the 2012 Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster. He also won his last race, a hunter chase at Ascot in April 2015.
DEEP PURPLE (2001) bb g - Halling (USA) - Seal Indigo (IRE) (Glenstal (USA)) - Won 5 hurdles and 7 chases between 2005 & 2013. Won on his debut on the flat at Kempton but didn't win again in another five starts. Had an impressive start over hurdles winning his first five races, finished second in a Grade 1 event at Sandown but was ouctlassed when finishing ninth in the Supreme. He went chasing and again hit the ground running. Won his first two starts but flopped in the Wayward Lad Novices Chase at Kempton. He won a small race at Hereford and ended his novice season on a winning note when he took the Future Champion Chase at Ayr. Things were going well as he entered his second season with wins in the Charlie Hall Chase and the Peterborough Chase so he took his chance with the big boys in the King George. He wasn't up to it and he pulled up before half way (although he did break a blood vessal). He finished fourth in the Aintree Bowl in 2011. He was lightly raced in 2012-12 and didn't appear to enjoy the National experience and was pulled up before the nineteen fence. He pulled up in the Bet365 Gold Cup on his next start and moved to France. He didn't make the frame in any of this French starts and last raced at Enghien in April 2013.
GILES CROSS (IRE) (2002) b g - Saddler's Hall (IRE) - Mystockings (Idiots Delight) - Won 2 hurdles and 3 chases between 2008 & 2014. Came from the pointing field where he won on his fifth start betwen the flags in 2008. He twice finished placed behind Synchronised in novice chases at Chepstow and Uttoxeter. He won the Southern National at Fontwell in a big field in November 2011, finished second in the Welsh National and on his prep race for Aintree won the Haydock Park Grand National Trial beating Neptune Collonges by a neck. He looked very generous at 20-1 for the National but after being hampered at the first Canal he lost his position and was pulled up before he eleventh fence. He only ran three more times and pulled up each time the last being at Taunton in March 2014.
HELLO BUD (IRE) (1998) - Jurada (USA) - Orchestral Sport (IRE) (Orchestra) - Won 9 chases between 2003 & 2012. Having showed nothing in his bumper and a few hurdles he won three Irish points in the spring of 2006. He was clearly a late developer as he showed little the next season. He left Ireland and won three novice chases in 2008 and in the 2008-09 season, now in the hands of Nigel Twiston-Davies he won three more times culminating with victory in the Scottish Grand National. He was now eleven and had never been to Aintree but during the rest of his long career he become something of an Aintree specialist. His first visit in the 2009 Becher Chase was a little underwhelming as he weakened in the closing stages to finish last of five finishers. On visit number two he ran superbly in the 2010 National being prominent for most of the race until he weakened two out to finish fifth. He won the 2010 Becher Chase on visit three but then surprisingly pulled up in the 2011 National and unseated for the only time in his career at the Canal in the 2011 Becher. He finished seventh in the 2012 National as a fourteen year old (becoming the oldest horse since Smartside in 1989). If that was pretty remarkable then what happened in the Becher Chase beggered belief as he won a second Becher Chase from Join Together by a neck as he just lasted home having taken the lead two out. On the back of that victory there was still talk of one final National attempt in 2013. However fifteen years olds don't have a place in the National field and he was afforded an honourable retirement.
IN COMPLIANCE (2000) b g - Old Vic - Lady Bellingham (IRE) - Montelimar (USA)) - Won NHF, hurdle and six chases between 2004 & 2013. Lightly raced individual who didn't have too many miles on the clock but he had won at Grade 3 level in Ireland. He had a 100% completon rate at Aintree finishing sixth in the 2010 Topham, thirteenth in the 2011 National and he was amongst the leaders at the last in 2012 and only finshed fourteen lengths behing Neptune Collonges in 2012. He made one final visit to Aintree and finished fifth in the Becher Chase later that year. He pulled up at Cork in his next start in January 2013 and was retired.
JUNIOR (2003) ch g - Singspiel (IRE) - For More (FR) (Sanglamore (USA)) - Won hurdle and 4 chases between 2007 & 2015. Won three times on the flat including twice on the all-weather. Never finished out of the first four in his first eight chases culminating with victory in the Kim Muir at the 2011 Festival. He was also the only horse here to race at the Royal meeting winning the Ascot Stakes in June 2010 (he was also unplaced in the race the following year). He also finished second at Glorious Goodwood. He only had two starts before his sole National attempt in 2012, a spin over hurdles and a short head defeat at Doncaster. He seemed an ideal National type but he fell at the second fence and when he returned to Aintree in the Becher Chase of 2013 he was tailed off early and pulled up. He ran in three other Nationals during his career, pulling up in an Irish and Scottish and finishing unplaced in a Midlands. He won a point in 2015 and was last seen finishing unplaced in the Cheltenham Foxhunters in March 2015.
KILLYGLEN (IRE) (2002) b g - Presenting - Tina Maria (IRE) (Phardente (FR)) - Won NHF, hurdle and 4 chases between 2007 & 2012. Won his first two chases and was challenging in the 2009 RSA Chase on his third start but blunderd three out and that was the of his race He gained some compensation in the Mildmay Chase at Aintree on his next start. He showed nothing in his next season pulling up three times including in the Hennessy and Scottish National and he moved to Ireland. He was one of the outsiders in 2011 but ran well and was still with the leaders when he came down four out. The following year he unseated at the first Canal. This was to be his final race.
MIDNIGHT HAZE (2002) b g - Midnight Legend - Gypsy Maze (Romany Rye) - Won NHf and 4 chases between 2008 & 2013. Had an inauspicious start to his career between the flags. He ran out on his first two starts and pulled up on his third but he finally won on his fourth attempt. Won his bumper, showed notihng in a few hurdles and was actually quite a good novice chaser winning at Kempton and Wincanton. He was an outsider in the 2012 National and finished last of the fifteen finishers and later that year he pulled up in the Becher Chase. He tried his luck over the cross country course at Cheltenham and last raced under rules at Ffos Las in April 2013. He returned to the pointing field with more success second time round. He won six times between 2014 and 2016.
MON MOME (FR) (2000) b g Passing Sale (FR) - Etoile du Lion (FR) (New Target) - Won 6 chases between 2004 & 2013. The 2009 Grand National hero famous for winning at 100-1 although unlike previous winners at such long odds this one won on merit. To be honest he should never have been at such a ridiculous price. He was a useful handicap chaser. He had won the race after the 2006 National as a novice chaser one of four wins in his novice season. He didn't win over the next two seasons but finished second in the Welsh National and fourth in the William Hill Trophy at the Festival in 2006-07. He finished unplaced in the 2008 National. He won his first race for thirty two months when he landed a handicap in a big field at Cheltenham in December 2008 and on the back of that started favourite for the Welsh National but he was disappointing finishing unplaced and after another poor performance at Haydock was allowed to start as an outsider in the National. Amongst a large number of horses with a chance two out he took the lead after the last and was driven clear to win by a very easy twelve lengths ahead of the previous yeas hero Comply Or Die. He never won again - two subsequent attempts at the National ended in failure but he did finish third in the 2010 Gold Cup although he he was tailed off for most of the race and simply stayed on strongly from two out to take third in the last strides. He last raced at Warwick in March 2013.
NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) (2001) gr g Dom Alco (FR) - Castille Collonges (FR) (El Badr) - Won 4 hurdles & 12 chases beween 2004 & 2012. Until one glorious moment at the end of his career this lovely grey raced in the shadow of his more famous stable companions Kauto Star and Denman. However he was pretty useful himself and was not a bad third string for the stable. He won five of his six starts in France for Jacques Ortet winning a Grade 3 hurdle at Auteuil before he moved to Paul Nicholls in October 2005. He was no match for Kauto Star in 2007 (he finished eighth) and was third behind Denman (giving Paul Nichols a 1-2-3) in 2008 and fourth again behind Kauto Star in 2009. When he was not asked to take on his stable companions he won two Punchestown Gold Cups in 2007 and 2008 and the Irish Gold Cup in 2009. Having finished unplaced at long odds in 2011 he was aimed at the National the following year in what was due to be his final race before retirement. This was his moment yet not only did he win the National by the narrowest margin - a nose from Sunnyhillboy but he led for the shortest possible time literally on he line. Well that's where it counts.
NEPTUNE EQUESTER (2003) b g - Soverign Water (FR) - All Things Nice (Sweet Monday) - Won 2 hurdles and 6 chases between 2010 & 2016. Unusually this one occassionally raced on the flat and he won at Carlisle in July 2011. Loved Wetherby winning five times there and he later won twice at Kelso. He only visited Aintree once in 2012 and he got round in his own time. He continued racing until he was thirteen when he sadly collapsed and died after finishing second behind Unioniste at Kelso in February 2016. He had won a four mile chase at the same track on his previous start.
ORGANISEDCONFUSION (IRE) (2005) b g - Laveron - Histologie (FR) (Quart De Vin (FR)) - Won 3 chases between 2009 & 2016. Provided Nina Carberry wth a memorable victory in the 2011 Irish Grand National. It was hs last victory and he lined up at Aintree a year later but he was hampered and unseated at the first Canal. He was only seven but he only raced a few more times over fences. He was off the course for two and a half years and when he returned he ran over hurdles and a point. His final race was in a chase at Navan in February 2016.
PLANET OF SOUND (2002) b g - Kayf Tara - Herald the Dawn (Dubasoff (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 5 chases between 2007 & 2014. Never out of the first four in his first fourteen starts. He had won two Newbury novice chases and the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November 2009. The sequence ended in his next start when he fell in the Ascot Chae and he was unplaced in the Ryanair Chase. After those two disappointments he gained his biggest success when he won the Punchestown Gold Cup beating former Gold Cup winner War of Attrion. He was lightly raced over the next two seasons before his Antree challenge but was campaigned in top company when he did. Third in the Betfair Chase, fifth in the King George and second in the Hennessy. Perhaps it was his inexperience over Antree that left him relatively friendless in the 2012 National. 33-1 was a crazy price for one of the class horses in the race. He belied those odds and ran a blinder - prominent early he took the lead at the twelfth and remained in front until four out when the petrol tank emptied and he eventually finished twelfth. He didn't return but did win a small race at Kempton in January 2014 (his first win in nearly four years). He last ran at the same course a month later.
POSTMASTER (2002) b g - Dansili - Post Modern (USA) (Nureyev (USA)) - Won 3 hurdles and 6 chases between 2007 & 2013. The most prolific runner here running an incredible 104 times. He ran 21 times on the flat over turf and 36 times on the all-weather where he won twice. Over jumps he plied his trade in small events in the south. He fell at the first fence in the 2011 Topham and a year later never got into the National pulling up when tailed off before second Bechers. He later won a couple of hunter chases but was killed in a fall at Wincanton in April 2013.
STATE OF PLAY (2000) b g Hernando (FR) - Kaprice (GER) (Widwurf (GER)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 5 chases between 2004 & 2012. Won three of his four novice chases in 2005-06 including a handicap chase at the AIntree Grand National meeting. In his second season he was a four length victor of the Hennessy Gold Cup and he also won the Charlie Hall Chase, finished sixth in the Gold Cup and then finished fourth behind Exotic Dancer in the Aintree Bowl. He was lightly raced therafter, his four starts the following season 2007-08 would have been classed as a busy season for him. He won a second Charlie Hall in 2008 and thereafter it was all about the Grand National. He finished fourth in the National in 2009, went to the 2010 National with just one prep race and finished third at Aintree. Then off for a year before finishing fourth in 2011. He became the first horse since Greasepaint to place three times in the National without winning. Another year off than another National where he surprisingly unseated at the fifth and his unfortunate jockey was thrown into the path of another horse who was brought down breaking his leg (the jockeys) in the process. That was it for this very fine horse. It should be noted that in all of his Nationals he never really troubled the leaders - he stayed forever and each time he was passing tired horses.
SYNCRONISED (IRE) (2003) b g Sadlers Wells (USA) - Mayasta (IRE) (Bob Back (USA)) - Won 3 hurdles & 6 chases between 2008 & 2012. Useful handicap hurdler in 2009 winning both starts before he fell in the Pertemps Final at the Festval after being hampered. Won his first two chases and skipped Cheltenham to win the Midlands National which was pretty impressive as this was only his fourth start over fences. The following season he won the Welsh National after a couple of spins over hurdles he finished third in the Midlands National. He bypassed both Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals for a tilt at the Irish Grand National where he was disappointing pulling up. His 2011-12 season followed a simiar pattern initially with two runs over hurdles followed by a magnificent Christmas victory, this time in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown which put him into contention for the Gold Cup which he won after appearing to struggle for most of the race - it was a magnificent riding performance by the Champion. All seemed set for a Grand National attempt and he appeared to be thrown in at the weights. As we all know it was a disaster. He unseated McCoy on his way to the start, ran riderless causing a delay and then fell at first Bechers. He was none the worse for his fall and he immediately got up and galloped off riderless. Tragically he broke a leg jumping the eleventh fence and he could not be saved. AP McCoy gave him the highest accolade as when asked by BBC Radio Five Live in 2015 to name his top ten horses. He named Synchronised as the best he had ridden. The highest praise indeed.
THARAWAAT (IRE) (2005) b g - Alhaarth (IRE) - Sevi's Choice (USA) (Sir Ivor (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 3 chases between 2008 & 2012. Failed to win in five starts on the flat for Barry Hills. Picked up a few minor chases in Ireland and was unconsidered at 125-1 for the 2012 National but to his credit he got round in a distant eight place. He only ran two more times and was last seen pulling up in the Paddy Power Chase at the end of the year. Still only seven he did not race again,
THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) (2001) ch g - Flemensfirth (USA) - Larry's Peach (Laurence O) - Won NHF, 3 hurdles & 2 chases between 2008 & 2012. Came from the pointing field where he was successful once in 2008. Then after flopping on his debut at Kilbeggan he won his second bumper, his first two hurdles and he finished third in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the 2009 Festival before winning a similar event at the Punchestown Festival. He went chasing the following season won at Clonmel and finished third at the Cheltenham Festival. He won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in his prep race for the 2011 National and he started favourite at Aintree. He finished sixth. A year later he was outclassed in the Gold Cup and in his second National was unconsidered at 40-1. This time he finished eleventh. He raced at the Punchestown Festival a month later and then raced a handful of times in points.
VIC VENTURI (IRE) (2000) ch g - Old Vic - Carmen Lady (IRE) (Torus) - Won 3 hurdles and 5 chases between 2005 & 2013. Won his bumper and was never out of the first three in his six starts over timber in 2005-06. Over fences he won a Grade 3 chase at Galway on his debut but didn't win again for three years when he won at Clonmel and then gained his biggest success when he landed what was probably a substandard Becher Chase in 2009. He beat Black Apalachi in the Bobbyjo Chase and held each ways claims for the National but he came down when hampered at the twenteth. He was unluckily brought down at the second fence in the 2011 National. He then won a couple of points before his third and final National in 2012 where he refused and unseated at the big ditch on the second circuit when behind. He ended up in the UK and later won a hunter chase at Uttoxeter in May 2013. He last raced uder rules at Carlisle in October 2013. He reappeared two years later when he pulled up in two points.
WEIRD AL (IRE) (2003) b g Accordian (IRE) - Bucks Gift (IRE) (Buckley) - Won a hurdle & 5 chases between 2008 & 2013. Very lightly raced and only managed seventeen races in total. Unbeaten in his four novice chases in 2009-10 but that season ended prematurely due to a fractured off fore cannon bone. He dead heated at Carlisle on his return to action eight months later but he pulled up in both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Moved trainer to Donald McCain in Septemer 2011 and he won the Charlie Hall Chase on his first run for new connections and then finished an albeit distant third behind Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. It was a similar story though in his second Gold Cup pulling up and he fell four our when tailed off in the Grand Natonal. He only raced a handful of times more, pulled up in the 2013 National and was last seen at Uttoxeter in June 2013.
WEST END ROCKER (IRE) (2002) bb g - Grand Plaisir (IRE) - Slyguff Lord (IRE) (Lored America (IRE)) - Won hurdle and 5 chases between 2007 & 2015. Won a point at his fourth attempt and a hurdle on his fifth. He pulled up in the 2009 Scottish Grand National when still a novice. He won two chases including Warwicks Classic Chase in 2011 but after flopping in the Haydock Grand National Trial he was easy to back in the 2011 National. Starting at 33-1 he came down in the melee at first Bechers He then demolished the field in the Becher Chase that December beating Niche Market by twenty lengths. The 2012 National was his next start but he fell at the second fence. He was generally disappointing thereafter but he did manage a win in a small race at Lingfield in 2014. He last ran at Newbury in February 2015
2013 - Auroras Encore

The winner
AURORAS ENCORE lined up in the Scottish National but it was a case of one race too many that season and he was pulled up without ever getting into the race. He became the second National winner in a row not to defend his title. He finished last in his reappearance race, the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day and also filled the backmarkers spot in his next race the Skybet Chase at Doncaster. Sadly he was found to have fractured a leg and he was immediately retired.
Leading Fancies
Sadly the alterations announced for the 2012 race did not quite work. Two more fatalities including the high profile Gold Cup winner Synchronised leading to more negative press both from the usual suspects and also worryingly in the racing press. So for the 2013 renewal Aintree announced that a number of further changes had been made :-
Twelve of the sixteen fences on the course were rebuilt with the timber frames within them replaced by a softer material known as "plastic birch". The fences were still covered with at least fourteen inches of spruce so they would remain the same height and to the naked eye - no change. However these new fences would be far more forgiving
The starting line was also moved ninety yards closer to the first fence, further away from the spectators' stands to reduce the noise and general tension at the start
The formal parade was also abolished with the runners parading briefly in the order they left the paddock.
SEABASS was joint favourite for this last year and ran a cracker, leading two out he was only five lengths behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. A warm up over hurdles was followed by third in the Bobbyjo Chase and another solid run was expected. ON HIS OWN was still in contention when he had fallen at second Bechers last year. He had warmed up for this with a win over hurdles at Navan on his sole start this year and was considered to have a leading chance again. Newcomer TEAFORTHREE had won the four miler at the Cheltenham Festival last year and was fancied for the Welsh National where he had been beaten by Monbeg Dude. He had disappointed at Haydock last time out but was very fancied for this. IMPERIAL COMMANDER had won the 2010 Gold Cup but had just had four starts since then but he had run a blinder in the Cotswold Chase on his reappearance this season just being collared close home. CAPPA BLEU had finished twelve lengths behind the winner in fourth place last year. Two sound performances this season and another strong run was on the cards. COLBERT STATION was the choice of the champ. Having just his sixth start over fences he had won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas and followed that with a win over timber at Punchestown both in big fields. One for the short list. Another Irishman CHICAGO GREY had been brought down early last year. He had won a Grade 2 chase at Navan on his last start so came in for some each way support. WHAT A FRIEND had been very fancied for this in 2011 but pulled up. Ran in the Bowl last year but was unplaced. He had just one run this season and was hard to fancy now. Aintree specialist BIG FELLA THANKS had completed the course three times between 2009 & 2011. Then off for over a year, changed trainers and was only beaten three lengths when finishing third in the Becher Chase. He had won a small race at Wincanton in January and it was great to see him back. Just one former winner in the field this year, BALLABRIGGS, the 2011 hero and very lightly raced since. Fifth in this last year. He had flopped in the Becher Chase but showed a slight return to form when finishing third behing Always Right on his last start at Kelso. ALWAYS WAINING was a true Aintree legend winning the last three Topham Chases. One try at this was always on the cards but there were stamina doubts about him. This was probably not his race but it was a very sporting gesture by connections to give it a go.
4.15 : JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL £418,860 to the winner, £172,380 to the second, £86.190 to the third, £43,095 to the fourth, £21,548 to the fifth, £10,725 to the sixth, £5,460 to the seventh, £2,633 to the eighth, £1,365 to the ninth & £683 to the tenth.
1 01u/1p-2 IMPERIAL COMMANDER 12, 11-10 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Sam Twiston-Davies
2 p/33f0-0 WHAT A FRIEND 10, 11-9 (Paul Nicholls) - Sam Thomas
3 3pf-4pp WEIRD AL 10, 11-8 (D.McCain) - Timmy Murphy
4 1113-04 QUEL ESPRIT 9, 11-7 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend
5 40/u312 BIG FELLA THANKS 11, 11-6 (T.George) - Denis O'Regan
6 1113-23 SEABASS 10, 11-6 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh
7 0-1u300 ROBERTO GOLDBACK 11, 11-6 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty
8 p012-0p SUNNYHILLBOY 10, 11-4 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Richie McLernon
9 1/40-p03 BALLABRIGGS 12, 11-4 (D.McCain) - Jason Maguire
10 11-0020 TEAFORTHREE 9, 11-3 (Rebecca Curtis) - Nick Scholfield
11 3-11201 ACROSS THE BAY 9, 11-2 (D.McCain) - Henry Brooke
12 1p3-02p JOIN TOGETHER 8, 11-2 (Paul Nicholls) - Daryl Jacob
13 13-0211 COLBERT STATION 9, 11-1 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - A P McCoy
14 2p-1030 FORPADDYDEPLASTERER 11, 11-0 (T.Cooper - Ireland) - A J McNamara
15 p1/b1f-1 ON HIS OWN 9, 11-0 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Ruby Walsh
16 0-30233 JONCOL 10, 10-13 (P.Nolan - Ireland) - Robbie Power
17 p0f1-12 BALTHAZAR KING 9, 10-12 (Phillip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson
18 1334-22 CAPPA BLEU 11, 10-11 (Evan Williams) - Paul Moloney
19 2/4-4u00 OSCAR TIME 12, 10-11 (M M Lynch - Ireland) - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
20 4001-00 ALWAYS WAINING 12, 10-10 (Peter Bowen) - Tom O'Brien
21 10u-000 TATENEN 9, 10-10 (R.Rowe) - Andrew Thornton
22 423f-01 TREACLE 12, 10-9 (Tom Taaffe - Ireland) - Noel Fehily*
23 011011 LOST GLORY 8, 10-8 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Mark Walsh
24 p-p1440 SWING BILL 12, 10-8 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell
25 01-f430 SAINT ARE 7, 10-8 (T.Vaughan) - Dougie Costello
26 b-0u031 CHICAGO GREY 10, 10-7 (Gordon Elliott - Ireland) - Paul Carberry
27 10f-000 QUISCOVER FONTAINE 9, 10-7 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - David Casey
28 3b0-043 RARE BOB 11, 10-6 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Bryan Cooper
29 4-311p4 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 9, 10-6 (Kim Bailey) - Aiden Coleman
30 03pp40 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE 10, 10-6 (N.Glynn - Ireland) - Martin Ferris
31 12p-p00 HARRY THE VIKING 8, 10-6 (Paul NIcholls) - Ryan Mahon
32 300204 MR MOONSHINE 9, 10-5 (Sue Smith) - Peter Buchanan
33 1133fp MUMBLES HEAD 12, 10-4 (Peter Bowen) - Jamie Moore
34 3f0042 NINETIETH MINUTE 10, 10-3 (Tom Taaffe - Ireland) - Niall Madden
35 0p40f0 AURORAS ENCORE 11, 10-3 (Sue Smith) - Ryan Mania
36 p11420 TARQUINIUS 10, 10-2 (Gordon Elliott - Ireland) - Wilson Renwick
37 014u40 ANY CURRENCY 10, 10-0 (M.Keighley) - Ian Popham
38 2p-200p MAJOR MALARKEY 10, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Tom Scudamore
39 21b-001 SOLL 8, 10-0 (Jo Hughes) - Mark Grant
40 023p20 VIKING BLOND 8, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Adam Wedge
* Noel Fehily replaced Andrew Lynch on Treacle
S.P : 11-2 Seabass, 8-1 On His Own, 10-1 Teaforthree. 11-1 Chicago Grey & Imperial Commander, 12-1 Cappa Bleu & Colbert Station, 16-1 Balthazar King & Rare Bob, 20-1 Ballabriggs & Sunnyhillboy, 25-1 Join Together & Roberto Goldblack, 33-1 Always Waining, Big Fella Thanks, Soll, Treacle & What A Friend, 40-1 Across the Bay, Harry the Viking, Quel Esprit & Quiscover Fontaine 50-1 Joncol, Lost Glory, Major Malarkey, Saint Are & The Rainbow Hunter, 66-1 AURORAS ENCORE, Becauseicouldnsee, Forpadydeplasterer, Mr Moonshine, Oscar Time, Viking Blond & Weird Al, 80-1 Ninetieth Minute & Swing Bill, 100-1 Any Currency, Mumbles Head, Tarquinius & Tatenen
Aintree debutants
Across The Bay, Auroras Encore*, Balthazar King, Colbert Station, Forpaddydeplaster*, Harry the Viking*, Imperial Commander*, Joncol*, Lost Glory*, Mr Moonshine, Ninetieth Minute*, Quel Esprit*, Roberto Goldback, Saint Are, Soll, Tarquinius*, Teaforthree, The Rainbow Hunter
Winners at Aintree
ALWAYS WAINING - Topham Chase (2010, 2011 & 2012)
BALLABRIGGS - Grand National (2011)
Result
1st AURORAS ENCORE - Ryan Mania
2nd CAPPA BLEU - Paul Moloney
3rd TEAFORTHREE - Nick Scholfield
4th OSCAR TIME - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
Distances : nine lengths, a neck & eleven lengths
Time : 9 mins 12 seconds
Owned by D.Pryde, J.Beaumont & D P Van der Hoeven
Trained by Sue Smith
17 finshers
23 non-finishers (2 fell, 4 unseated rider, 13 pulled up, 1 refused & unseated rider, 2 hampered & unseated rider, 1 hampered & refused)
The Class of 2013
ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) (2001) b g - Unfuwain (USA) - Glenarff (USA) (Irish River (FR)) - Won 5 hurdles & 7 chases between 2005 & 2013. Won three times on the flat including handicaps at Ascot and Newmarket in 2004. He won three novice hurdles back to back in early 2005 incuding a thirty length victory at Uttoxeter. Away from Aintree he was nothing more than an average chaser (unplaced in Denmans first Hennessy & pulled up in a Welsh National in 2008) but was he was transformed over the National fences. He finished fourth on his debut in the 2009 Topham before falling at Aintree for the only time in his career in the Grand Sefton. He won three Tophams in a row between 2010 & 2012 and also finished in two Becher Chases. A remarkable feat that has not been achieved before or since. He never looked like he stayed more than three miles so it was very sporting of connections to let him take his chance in 2013. He never featured but finished a credible tenth. He had earnt a very honourable retirement. An Aintree legend.
ANY CURRENCY (IRE) (2003) b g - Moscow Society (USA) - Native Bavard (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) - Won 5 chases between 2008 & 2017. Won a point in March 2008. Finished second four times during his novice hurdle campaign but never got his head in front and it was clear that his future lay in chasing. He won small races at Sandown and Ascot in the autumn on 2009 and finished a credible fourth in the Kim Muir at the 2010 Festival. In 2012 he finished eighth in the Scottish National and stayed on in the mud to finish third in the Bet365 Gold Cup. In the National he finished last in the 2013 over forty lengths behind the second last. Aintree was not his place (he was eliminated three times in 2012, 2014 & 2015) but he went on to become something of a phenomenon over the Cheltenham Cross Country course. Between March 2013 and March 2017 he ran over the course twelve times. He finished first twice (although he lost one in the stewards room on a technicality), second four times (once he was beaten by only a short head) and third twice. He completed each time and only twice finished out of the frame. A wonderful servant to connections.
AURORAS ENCORE (IRE) (2002) b g - Second Empire (IRE) - Sama Veda (IRE) (Rainbow Quest (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 6 chases between 2007 & 2014. Apart from winning a small race at Sedgefeld he did not set the world alight in eight starts in his novice season until he sprang a 50-1 surprise when lifting a handicap hurdle on the opening day of the 2008 National meeting. Two days later he ran again but could only finish fifth. He went chasing had another busy season finishing unplaced at both Cheltenham and Ainree before winning a novice chase at Ayr at the end of the season. He fell at he first in the 2010 Scottish National but two years layer was only caught close home in the same race going down a head to Merigo. He showed very little in his next seven sarts so was an unconsidered 66-1 outsider in the 2013 National. He was prominent throughout and swept into the lead at the last to win by a very easy nine lengths. Despite the extensive modifications to the fences his victory showed that the new look National could still throw up a surprise. Sadly he never got to have another chance. He was found to have fractured a leg after completeing the course in a chase at Doncaster in January 2024 and his racing days were over.
BALLABRIGGS (IRE) (2001) b g - Presenting - Papoose (IRE) (Little Bighorn (IRE)) - Won 2 hurdles and 5 chases between 2006 & 2013. Only managed one win during his first two seasons in training but won three chases on the bounce in 2010 culminating with a half length victory in the Kim Muir at the Festival. Always lightly raced the following season he won two novice hurdles and finished second in his National prep race at Kelso. In the National itself he was a revelation and was amongst the leader throughout. He led at the water and was back in front by four out and stayed on resolutely to win by two and a quarter lengths. His victory was overshadowerd by the fact that he could not enter the winning enclosure as he appeared exhausted (it was a very hot day) which added to the substantial criticism of the race afterwards. He was a very worthy winner on the day but he never won again but in fairness over the next two seasons he only raced five more times. Three were at Aintree, he finished an honourable but never dangerous sixth a year later, pulled up in the Becher Chase and in what waa his final racecourse appearance pulled up before the second Canal Turn in the 2013 National.
BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) (2003) ch g - Beneficial - Ath Dara (Duky) - Won NHF & chase between 2009 & 2016. Won a point at the third attempt in 2008 and won his bumper at Kilbeggan in July 2009. Only won one more time, a beginners chase at Fairyhouse by a wide margin in February 2010. He did put up some good perfiomances in defeat notably when he finished second in the National Hunt Chase at the 2010 Festival and he finished that year filling the runners up spot in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Aintree was not a happy hunting ground as he failed to complete in three Nationals. He finished second in a second Festival this time in the 2012 Kim Muir. He later tried his hand over the Punchestown banks course but he refused. He did win another point in October 2014. He last ran under rules at Leopardstown in 2016.
BIG FELLA THANKS (2000) b g - Primitive Rising (USA) - Nunsdream (Derrylin) - Won 2 hurdles & 6 chases between 2008 & 2017. A true Aintree specialist who ran over the National course nine times and jumped 193 fences making him the third of the ultimiate specialists of this period. He won his point and his first two hurdles in 2008. Chasing was always the aim with this one and he won the old Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in 2009 and started favourite for the Racing Post Chase where he finished third in a big field. He was already mixing it with the handicappers so despite being a novice he found himself attracting each way support for the 2009 National. He ultimately finished sixth appearing not quite to stay the National trip but it wasn't a bad effort on only his seventh chase. The following season he chased home Carruthers in the Hennessy Gold Cup, won the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and started joint favourite with Don't Push It for the 2010 National. He was with the leaders challenging three out but like the previous year he weakened from two out and was pipped for third place close to the line. He left Paul Nicholls and was with Ferdy Murphy for the 2010-11 season which culminated in his third National where again being in a challending position two out and jumping the last in third place he again faded and this time finish seventh. It did not look like he truly stayed the National distance. He missed the following season and when he returned he was now in the hands of Tom George. He finished third in the Becher Chase just failing in the closing stages, he won at Wincanton and in the 2013 National for the only time in his Aintree career he failed to finish when he was hampered and unseated his rider at the first Canal. He did lead the field riderless for a time though (on the run down to Bechers second time). He didn't run in the National again but was far from finished with Aintree - he ran in the Becher Chase in 2013 and took the easier option of the 2014 Topham. He was unpaced both times. After being narrowly beaten in a handicap at Cheltenham in January 2015 he turned to the amateur game and he later won three hunter chases and a point to point. At Aintree he ran in two Foxhunters finishing third, only beaten three lengths, in 2017. That was particulalry impressive as he was fifteen years old at the time. He raced one more time at Cheltenham in May 2015 where he broke a cannon bone early and was pulled up. Sadly he could not be saved and he was put down a few weeks later. His death was not announced until later in the year sparking a debate as to whether there should be an age limit on horses running. It was tragic that he did not live to enjoy the retirement he so richly deserved but what a credit to connections.
CAPPA BLEU (IRE) (2002) b g - Pistolet Bleu (IRE) - Cappagale (IRE) (Strong Gale (IRE)) - Won 2 chases between 2010 & 2015. Very lightly raced individual who only ran fifteen times under rules. Started life in Irish points winning at his third attempt and ending that first season with two more victories. Moved to the UK he won two points for Sheila Crow before bursting onto the hunter chase scene winning the Foxhunters at the Festival by twelve lengths. The following season though did not quite got to plan. He was beaten on his next start over the Mildmay course at Aintree, fell in Denmans second Hennessy and then reverted to hurdles. A spell back in points was planned but ultimately shelved and he did not see a racecourse again until November 2011 when he won on his reappearance at Haydock. He followed that with third place in the Welsh National and he lined up in his first National at odds of 16-1. Choice of stable jockey Paul Moloney he made up a considerable amount of ground having been a distant eighth at the last to finish fourth twelve lengths behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. The following season was all about the National. I was fortunate to be at Ascot for his prep race and he looked absolutely magnificent in the paddock. He finished second that day and also filled that position in the National. He was closer this time at the last and eventually was beaten nine lengths. He only raced three mores times and was last seen pulling up at Ascot in February 2015. A lovely lovely horse.
CHICAGO GREY (IRE) (2003) gr g - Luso (GB) - Carrigeen Acer (IRE) (Lord Americo (IRE)) - Won 3 hurdles & 5 chases between 2007 & 2015. Lots of places but no wins in his early years before moving to Gordon Elliiott which resulted in three wins in his first four starts for new connections. Amongst the backmarkers at a big price for the 2010 Coral Cup but a year later over fences after a busy novice campaign (ten starts yielding three wins) he justified favouritism and landed the National Hunt Chase. After that he finished unplaced in the Scottish National and whilst he won a Grade 2 Chase at Navan in February 2013 he was arguably not as good thereafter. His first National was unlucky - he was brought down at the fifth fence and a year later despite being one of the favourites he was in rear throughout, jumped poorly and his race ended when he was brought to a standstill at the last fence. He last raced in the cross country event at the 2011 Festival.
FORPADDYDEPLASTERER (IRE) (2002) b g - Moscow Society (USA) - Run Artiste (Deep Run) - Won NHF, 2 hurdues and 3 chases between 2007 & 2013 . Amazingly this one finished second an incredible fourteen times during his career and ran up a sequence of seven runner up spots between April 2009 & November 2010. He won the 2009 Arkle by the shortest of short heads which actually broke up the sequence as he had finshed runner up in his three previous starts. After that Cheltenham win came the incredible seven runner ups including in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival, the Tingle Creek, the Queen Mother, the Melling Chase and the Champion Chase at Punchestown. The sequence was finally broken when he pulled up at halfway in the King George VI Chase. He continued to be campaigned in the highest company and was still reaching the frame until he won a small event at Thurles in November 2012, his first success in forty four months. He didn't seem an obvious National runner as he had never run further than three miles and 66-1 seemed a fair reflection of his chances. He was tailed off when he pulled up before the second Canal. He was last seen putting in a below par effort in the Munster National a Limerick in October 2013.
HARRY THE VIKING (2005) ch g - Sir Harry Lewis (USA) - Viking Flame (Viking (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles & 5 chases between 2011 & 2020. Won a point at his thrid attempt before beng sent to Paul Nicholls. In the autumn of 2011 he won a maiden hurdle, a novice hurdle and two novice chases before finishing a credible second in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival (behind Teaforthree) and finished that season puling up in the Scottish National on what was only his fourth chase. The following season he was unplaced in the Hennessy and the Kim Muir before taking the challenge of Aintree on what was his eighth chase. He never got into the race and was pulled after Valentines scecond time. He never returned to Aintree as he was eliminated in 2015 & 2016 but he continued being campaigned in long distance chases until he was last seen out at Musselburgh in February 2020.
IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) (2001) b g Flemensfirth (USA) - Ballinlovane (Le Moss (IRE)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 6 chases between 2006 & 2013. The forgotten Gold Cup winner as in the run up to his victory in 2010 all talk was about 'Kauto Star v Denman - the decider' and when he ran in the race the following year it was still all about his pesky Ditcheat rivals. His win was by no means a shock result though as he was a very talented individual who had proven form at Cheltenham, in fact five of his six chase victories had come at Pestbury Park. He won his sole Irish point in 2005, his bumper in October 2006 and whilst he was only an average novice hurdler in 2006-07 he won on his debut over fences at Cheltenham in October 2007. He was lightly raced that first season over fences (he was not seen out after December) but in 2008-2009 he won two valuable races at Cheltenham, the Paddy Power Gold Cup in the autumn and the Ryanair Chase at the Festival. That had been chosen as his main target after he appeared not to have stayed three miles in the King George VI behind Kauto Star. The following season he gave his Kempton victor a run for his money with a titanitc battle up the Haydock straight only going down a nose in the Betfair Chase. That put him into contention for the Gold Cup but once again he disappointed in the King George. He was not seen again until Cheltenhan and despite his credentials over the course there were question marks over his stamina and in the build up to the race he was of course completely overshadowed by all the talk of the Denman /Kauto Star decider. That match never materialised - Kauto Star was never going well afer a monumental blunder at the ninth fence and he fell four out when beaten whilst Denman was no match for him and he won imperiously by seven lengths. Sadly this lightly raced individual only raced six more times over the next three years. He struggled on his next start, the Aintree Bowl, so often the graveyard of Cheltenham heroes and he unseated when beaten. He won his sole Gold Cup prep race in the Betfair Chase at Haydock but in the 2011 Gold Cup having been prominent he blundered four out and weakened rapidy, being pulled up before the last. He had finished lame and that was it for nearly two years as he was sidelined with a tendon injury. He returned to action in the Cotswold Chase in January 2013 and so nearly pulled off a memorable return when he was caught in the closing stages by Cape Tribulation having looked all over the winner at the last. He was sent for an attempt at the Grand National rather than the Gold Cup but was behind when he pulled up before second Bechers. He ran just one more time in the Hennessy the following November but was pulled up and time was called on his career. A true Cheltenham specialist. He died of a heart attack in April 2017.
JOIN TOGETHER (IRE) (2005) b g - Old Vic - Open Cry (IRE) (Montelimar (USA)) - Won a hurdle and 3 chases between 2010 & 2017. Won an Irish poiint in March 2010. Fancied for the 2012 RSA on the back of two Cheltenham wins that autumn but he was ultimately pulled up. He looked an ideal Aintree sort and ran Hello Bud to a neck in a blanket finish for the 2012 Becher Chase. In the National itself though he finished a never dangerous twelfth and also failed to shine when unplaced in the Becher Chase later that year. In between those Aintree visits he tried his luck in Auteuils Autumn classic the Prix La Haye Josselin where he finished completely tailed off. That was it for the professional game. Hee won six points in a row in 2014 and added a Wincanton hunter chase in Februay 2016 and two more points over the next two years. He was only once out of the frame in twenty one starts in the amtaeur game. He last raced under rules at Cheltenhams Hunter Chase evening fixutre in May 2017
JONCOL (IRE) (2003) b g Bobs Return (IRE) - Finemar Lady (IRE) (Montelimar (USA)) - Won NHF and 6 chases between 2008 & 2013. Won a point to point and his bumper in 2007-08 and went straight over fences winning his first three including twice at Naas. He was at the height of his powers in the 2009-2010 season when he lifted the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase, finished third in an ultra-compettive Lexus Chase at Leopardstowns Christmas meeting and gained a second Grade 1 at the same track winning the Irish Gold Cup by a neck from Cooldine. It wasn't the best renewal by any stretch of the imagination but at this time he was one of the best chasers in ireland. He continued to be campaigned in top company but he didn't hit the heights again and his National run in 2013 was his first race in the UK. Unfancied at 50-1 he clearly didn't enjoy the experience. He blundered at the second and was tailed off by half way and didnt get much further. He only raced a handful of times after that last being seen in a hunter chase at Down Royal in December 2013.
LOST GLORY (NZ) (2005) b g - Montjeu (IRE) - Joie De Vivre (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ)) - Won 2 hurdles and 6 chases between 2009 & 2014. Average chaser who hit a rich vein of form prior to his sole Aintree attempt with four vicroies in the summer and autumn of 2012. Off the course for nearly six moths before his National he was tailed off and pulled up at half way. He did win his next start at Wetherby a month later but that was it really. As an unused reserve he was denied a run in 2014. He last ran under rules at Wincanton in October 2014 and showed little in points over the next two years.
MAJOR MALARKEY (IRE) (2003) b g - Supreme Leader - Valley (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 5 chases between 2007 & 2016. Nothing more than an average chaser who lined up at odds of 50-1 in 2013 and finished eleventh. He later went hunter chasing and ran in two Foxhunters in 2015 (when he finished fourth) and 2016. He last raced at Cheltenham in April 2016.
MUMBLES HEAD (IRE) (2001) ch g - Flemensfirth (USA) - Extra Mile (Torus) - Won NHF, 3 hurdles & 5 chases between 2006 & 2014. Won debut bumper at Catterick but finished amongst the backmarkers at odds of 200-1 in the Festival bumper on his next start. Won his first hurdle as well at Sedgefield in September 2006. Three year later he won his debut chase at Newcastle. He never hit the heights over fences, he unseated early in the 2011 Welsh National and was a first fence faller in the Becher Chase in 2012. He did win three races on the bounce between April-June 2012. He was amongst he backmarkers but looking at finishing the course in 2013 when he refused at the last fence which put a number of other strugglers out of the race. He only raced a handful of times after that but he did win at Perth in July 2013. He was last seen pulling up in the 2014 Kim Muir at the Festival.
NINETIETH MINUTE (IRE) (2003) b g - Old Vic - My Own (IRE) (Le Bavard (FR)) - Won NHF, 4 hurdles & a chase between 2007 & 2014. Won his bumper in March 2007. Useful hurdler winning three times in 2008-09 culminating with Festival success in the Coral Cup. He didn't hit the same heights over fences only winning once and he only lasted ten fences in 2013 National pulling up when already tailed off. He last raced over rules at Haydock in February 2014.
QUEL ESPRIT (FR) (2004) gr g - Saint des Saints (FR) - Jeune D'Esprit (FR) - Royal Charter (FR)) - Won 2 NHF, 2 hurdles & 4 chases between 2008 & 2014. Won a maiden point in March 2008, his bumper at Leopardstown in December 2008 and finished fifth in the Festival Bumper before scoring at the Punchestown Festival. Won first three hurdles including a Grade 3 event at Cork but fell at the second in the Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle at the 2010 Festival. Two days later he turned out again in the Albert Bartlett finishing sixth. He won his first chase at Limerick but hit the deck on his next three starts, falling when going well three out in the RSA Chase on his third Festival appearance. Once he got his jumping together in his second season over fences he won three times including the 2012 Irish Gold Cup. He missed Cheltenham but started favourite for the Punchestown Gold Cup on his next start finishing third. He followed that with a trip to France finishing unplaced in the Grand Course de Haies D'Auteuil. He was next seen in the Irish Gold Cup where he finished a moderate last of four and then came the National. He didnt seem an ideal National sort and he was pulled up before the second Canal. He was campaigned in points and hunter chases the following season and was generally disappointing after a point win in January 2014. He last raced in a hunter chase at the 2014 Punchestown Festival.
QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) (2004) b g - Antarctique (IRE) - Blanche Fontaine (FR) (Oakland (FR)) - Won NHF, 4 hurdles & 2 chases between 2008 & 2014. Having won his bumper he looked to be heading for the top with three straight wins over hurdles before flopping in a Grade 2 contest at Thurles (he was found to be "clinically abnormal" by the vet after the race). A year later and he seemed back on track winning his first two chases but he was no match for Sizing Europe in the Arkle at the 2010 Festival. He never really hit those early heights again although he was fourth in the Irish Grand National in 2011. He fell at half way in the National in 2012 and got round in his own time in 2013. He was eliminated in 2014. He tried his luck in the cross country course at Cheltenham and was last seen in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in May 2014.
RARE BOB (IRE) (2002) bb g - Bob Back (USA) - Cut Ahead (Kalaglow) - Won 4 chases between 2006 & 2014. Placed several times over hurdles without ever getting his head in front. He was a much better prospect over fences. In 2009 he won three times including at the Punchestown Festival and he also finished fourth when favourite for the Irish Grand National. He never hit those heights again. He twice ran in the chase that preceeds the National. In his first attempt over the National fences he finished a distamt fifth in the Becher Chase in 2011. In the 2012 National he was brought down by a stricken rider at the fifth fence, He put up by far his best effort in 2013 finishing fifh having made some late headway although he never troubled the winnner. He ony raced a few times more and was last seen pulling up over the Cheltenham cross country course in December 2014.
ROBERTO GOLDBACK (IRE) (2002) b g - Bob Back (USA) - Manysway (IRE) (Mandalus (IRE)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 4 chases between 2008 & 2014. Initially trained in Ireland he was just short of top class over both hurdles and fences winning a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown in January 2010. He was campaigned in top company making his UK debut when unplaced in the 2011 Ryanair Chase. He was runner up in the Irish Gold Cup in 2012 and was unplaced in the Aintree Bowl at odds of 100-1 later that season. Moved to Nicky Henderson in October 2012 he won on debut for new connections at Ascot but failed to capitalise on that victory. 25-1 seemed a little on the stingy side as he did not appear to have much chance in the National and he was behind when he was involved in the pile up at the last fence. He finished amongst the backmarkers in the Becher Chase later that year. He did finish third in the Kim Muir at the Festival in 2014 but pulled up in the Scottish National. He ran one more time a Fontwell in May 2014.
SEABASS (IRE) (2003) b g - Turtle Island - Muscovy Duck (Moscow Society) - Won Hurdle & 6 chases between 2007 & 2017. Came from the pointing field when he was successful for J T McNamara in March 2007 but he wasn't much good over timber and soon went chasing, He won two chases in early 2010 but was then off the course for nearly two years. On his return he continued where he left off with a win in a point to point and then won four chases in a row including the Leopardstown Handicap Chase and a Grade Two event at Navan. He had taken his winning streak to seven and started joint favourite for the 2012 Grand National. Up until now lady riders had ridden outsiders with no real chance of winning but Katie Walsh now had a serious chance of winning the race. They put up a bold display and was with the leaders in the closing stages taking the lead at the second last before weakening at the Elbow to finish third, five lengths behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. He was a never dangerous thirteenth when he returned to Aintree a year later. He later won a hurdle race at Thurles and was last seen at Fairyhouse in a hunter chase in February 2017.
SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) (2003) b g - Old Vic - Sizzle (High Line) - Won NHF, 5 hurdles and 3 chases between 2007 & 2015. Won his bumper and ran up a hat-trick of victories over timber in the autumn of 2009. He was fancied for the County Hurdle at the 2010 Festival but finished amongst the backmarkers. He followed that disappointment with victory in a listed hurde at Aintrees National meeting. The following season he went chasing and was successful enough to be allowed to start favourite for the Festival Plate at his second Festival. He finished a close second. He made it Festival number three when he started favorite for Ultima Handicap Chase on Champion Hurdle day but he took a heavy fall early in the race. Showing no ill effects he started favourite for the Irish Grand National on his next start and was in with a shout two out before being overhauled by OrganisedConfusion. He was lightly raced thereafter but he did make it into the Festival winners enclosure at the fourth attempt. Starting favourite in the Kim Muir he forged clear in the closing stages to beat future National rival Becauseicouldnsee by four and half lengths. After Cheltenham came his career defining moment in the National when he became the narrowest loser of all time. Held up early he had made headway to track the leaders from half way and jumping the last in third place he took the lead at the Elbow and looked to be going the strongest until the grey Neptune Collonges rallied but at the line it still looked like he had held on. However the grey had taken it literally on the line to win by a nose. The following year he never got competitive and was one of several backmarkers who had his race come to an end in a melee at the very last fence. Still only ten he only raced four more times but he did manage a win at Cheltenham in December 2013. He only raced one more time after that finishing unplaced in a hurdle at Haydock in February 2015.
TARQUINIUS (FR) (2003) gr g - Turgeon (USA) - Shannon Bells (Nashaman (IRE)) - Won 5 chases between 2008 & 2015. Never ran over hurdles. Started life in the French provinces. When moved to the UK he plied his trade on the smalller southern tracks. After three seasons with Charlie Mann he moved to Ireland in June 2012. Kept vey busy in 2012-13 the National was his fourteenth start of that first Irish season which had yielded wins at Punchestown, Leopardstown and Fairyhouse. 100-1 seemed ludicrously long odds and he ran well enough before weakening to finish eighth. He showed nothing after that and was last seen pulling up in a hunter chase (won by fellow National runner Mahor Malarkey) At Cheltenham in April 2015.
TATENEN (FR) (2004) b g - Lost World (IRE) - Tamaziya (IRE) (Law Society (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles & 5 chases between 2007 & 2014. Won a listed hurdle and a Group 2 event as a juvenile at Auteuil when trained by Domiic Bressou. Came to the UK to be trained by Paul Nicholls and he was a useful novice chaser winning over the Mildmay course and Cheltenham in the autumn of 2008. He fell early when favourite for the Arkle and finished second in the Maghul Novices Chase on Grand Naional day. He later went on to win two races at Ascot but didn't quite hit the heights expected of him. He came down at the Canal first tme in 2012 and was one of only two fallers in the 2013 race when he misjudged the twelfth fence. In 2014 he ran in the Topham finishing fourth. He only ran one more time at Sandown in November 2014.
TREACLE (IRE) (2001) ch g - Zaffaran (USA) - Current Liability (IRE) (Caribo (IRE) - Won a hurdle & 5 chases between 2006 & 2013. Having fallen in the Irish National in 2009 he won the Munster National at Limerick. He lost his way thereafter and was eliminated for the 2011 National but after finishing runner up in the Paddy Power Case and third in the Irish Gold Cup he found himself with each way prospects for the 2012 race. He fell at the tenth and a year later unseated at the first Canal. He was last seen in a hurdle ay Roscommon in July 2013.
VIKING BLOND (FR) (2005) ch g - Varese (FR) - Sweet Jaune (FR) (Le Nain Jaune (FR)) - Won 3 hurdles & a chase between 2009 & 2016. Won his first chase at Chepstow in October 2011 but that was is sole sucess. Pulled up in the Welsh National three starts later and ran in his first National when still a novice - he got no further than he first fence. He pulled up in a second Welsh National and got a bit further in the National but was tailed off when he called it a day at the Chair. He did later win another hurdle at Ffos Las two years later. He last raced in January at 2016 in Taunton but later ran without sucess in points.
WEIRD AL (IRE) (2003) b g Accordian (IRE) - Bucks Gift (IRE) (Buckley) - Won a hurdle & 5 chases between 2008 & 2013. Very lightly raced and only managed seventeen races in total. Unbeaten in his four novice chases in 2009-10 but that season ended prematurely due to a fractured off fore cannon bone. He dead heated at Carlisle on his return to action eight months later but he pulled up in both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Moved trainer to Donald McCain in Septemer 2011 and he won the Charlie Hall Chase on his first run for new connections and then finished an albeit distant third behind Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. It was a similar story though in his second Gold Cup pulling up and he fell four our when tailed off in the Grand Natonal. He only raced a handful of times more, pulled up in the 2013 National and was last seen at Uttoxeter in June 2013.
WHAT A FRIEND (2003) b g Alflora (IRE) - Friendly Lady (New Member) - Won NHF, hurdle & 5 chases between 2007 & 2013. Won his sole bumper and three of his four novice chases in 2008 but he was unplaced in the RSA Chase. He chased home Deman in his second Hennessy in 2009 and then won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (turning the tables on Cooldine from the RSA). Bypassing the Gold Cup he was aimed at the Aintree Bowl a race that Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander was expected to win easily but he unseated when beaten and he was left to win beating Carruthers by three and a quarter lengths. Lightly raced thereafter he was fourth in the 2011 Gold Cup. He pulled up in the Grand National on his next start. His second Gold Cup in 2012 ended at the second fence. He was last seen over rules pulling up in the 2013 Grand National. He ran in a few points over the following two years.
2014 - Pineau de Re

The winner
Pineau du Re was a surprise winner and showed so little the following season that 25-1 was a realistic reflection of his chances of a repeat victory in 2015. He finished unplaced and a second attempt at the Becher Chase ended at the second fence. He did become the first National winner in eleven years to win another race albeit it was a small hurdle race at Carlisle in December 2015. A third attempt at the National was thwarted as he narrowly missed the cut. He ran credibly in the Scottish National instead until unseating in the closing stages. He was retired after a lacklustre performance at Uttoxeter on his next start and he retrained as an eventer.
Leading Fancies
Irish debutant DOUBLE SEVEN was joint favourite this year. He had won three times at Kilbeggan in the summer and followed that with two wins in the Autumn including the Munster National at Limerick. He was unplaced in a hunter chase at Leopardstown on his last start but he was the choice of the champion and was very fancied as a result. Sharing favouritism was TEAFORTHREE who had run the race of his life in this last year disputing the lead at the last fence before fading to finish third. Second in this years Welsh National he was unplaced at long odds in the Gold Cup on his last start. A fascinating runner was LONG RUN, the 2011 Gold Cup and dual King George VI winner had packed a lot into his nine years and he was almost considered at the veteran stage now. Not as good as he was but he had shaped up well at Kelso on his last start. BALTHAZAR KING had been up with the leaders early in this last year but did not appear to stay and eventually finished down the field. However he was In sparkling form this season having re-invented himself as a cross country specialist with wins at Craon in France and two victories at Cheltenham, He remained one for the short list as long as he did not go off too fast. Irish challenger BIG SHU was making his Aintree debut but he was another cross country specialist, winning twice over the banks course at Punchestown including the four mile La Touche Cup in 2013. He had also won that years cross country chase at the Festival. Third in that event on his last start this season he should jump and would definitely stay. THE PACKAGE was getting on now and had unseated in this race in 2010. He was lightly raced since then but ran well to finish third at the Cheltenham Festival on his first start for a year. He was my selection on the basis of a dream. I was also fond of BURTON PORT who had formally been a very useful chaser finishing runner up in 2010 Hennessy and fourth in 2012 Gold Cup. Had also shown a liking for the Mildmay course winning the Mildmay Chase in 2010 and had been runner up in 2012 Bowl. Missed 2012-13 and shown virtually nothing since until a return to form last time. Old favourite, the quirky TIDAL BAY had unseated early in 2011 but since then had put in some stunning performances notably winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in 2012. Won a valauble hurdle at Wetherby in the autumn before finishing placed in the Welsh National and runner up last time in good company in Ireland. Not sure the National was the race though for this enigmatic character. One with form over the fences was TRIOLO D'ALENE the winner of the Topham Chase last year and had beaten Rocky Creek in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in November. Struggled in the Gold Cup last time out but didn't have an easy passage. He was another for the short-list.
4.15 : CRABBIE'S GRAND NATIONAL, £429,600 to the winner, £176,880 to the second, £88,400 to the third, £44,200 to the fourth, £22,100 to the fifth, £11,000 to the sixth, £5,600 to the seventh, £2,700 to the eighth, £1,400 to the ninth & £700 to the tenth
1 21-1032 TIDAL BAY 13, 11-10 (Paul Nicholls) - Sam Twiston-Davies
2 32-04u1 LONG RUN 9, 11-9 (Nicky Henderson) - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
3 000034 HUNT BALL 9, 11-7 (Nicky Henderson) - Andrew Tinkler
4 01-1310 TRIOLO D'ALENE 7, 11-6 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty
5 1113-22 ROCKY CREEK 8, 11-5 (Paul Nicholls) - Noel Fehily
6 0-f400p QUITO DE LA ROQUE 10, 11-1 (C A Murphy - Ireland) - Brian O'Connell
7 u-03u0f COLBERT STATION 10, 11-0 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - Mark Walsh
8 2p02-u4 WALKON 9, 11-0 (Alan King) - Wayne Hutchinson
9 0p-1111 BALTHAZAR KING 10, 10-13 (Philip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson
10 00-02p0 WAYWARD KING 10, 10-13 (Hilary Parrott) - Jack Doyle
11 003112 MR MOONSHINE 10, 10-12 (Sue Smith) - Ryan Mania
12 203-020 TEAFORTHREE 10, 10-12 (Rebecca Curtis) - Nick Scholfield
13 10-001u ACROSS THE BAY 10, 10-11 (D.McCain) - Henry Brooke
14 111110 DOUBLE SEVEN 8, 10-11 (M.Brassill - Ireland) - A P McCoy
15 11-1prp BATTLE GROUP 9, 10-10 (J.Farrelly) - Brendan Powell
16 0-00103 BUCKERS BRIDGE 8, 10-10 (H de Bromhead - Ireland) - Andrew Lynch
17 pp-0014 LION NA BERNAI 12, 10-10 (T.Gibney - Ireland) - Davy Russell
18 12-3004 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE 11, 10-10 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend
19 3p-3410 MONBEG DUDE 9, 10-9 (M.Scudamore) - Paul Carberry
20 4211-23 BIG SHU 9, 10-8 (P.Maher - Ireland) - Peter Buchanan
21 000p02 BURTON PORT 10, 10-8 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Brian Harding
22 124-000 OUR FATHER 8, 10-8 (David Pipe) - Denis O'Regan
23 41-3310 MOUNTAINOUS 9, 10-7 (R.Lee) - Jamie Moore
24 4up-201 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 10, 10-7 (Kim Bailey) - Aiden Coleman
25 p-1202f VINTAGE STAR 8, 10-7 (Sue Smith) - Brian Hughes
26 400-1p4 CHANCE DU ROY 10, 10-6 (Philip Hobbs) - Tom O'Brien
27 12p-420 HAWKES POINT 9, 10-6 (Paul Nicholls) - Ryan Mahon
28 441103 KRUZHLININ 7, 10-6 (D.McCain) - Wilson Renwick
29 0f2013 PINEAU DE RE 11, 10-6 (Dr Richard Newland) - Leighton Aspell
30 r03/3-u1 GOLAN WAY 10, 10-5 (T.Vaughan) - Michel Byrne
31 20010u TWIRLING MAGNET 8, 10-5 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Richie McLernon
32 302-fu0 VESPER BELL 8, 10-5 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh*
33 4/14pp-3 THE PACKAGE 11, 10-4 (David Pipe) - Tom Scudamore
34 11-p0p3 RAZ DE MAREE 9, 10-3 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Davy Condon
35 114p-01 ROSE OF THE MOON 9, 10-3 (D O'Meara) - Jake Greenall
36 220/0p0 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM 10, 10-3 (Nicky Henderson) - David Bass
37 0r3-01p ALVARADO 9, 10-2 (F O'Brien) - Paul Moloney
38 433-000 LAST TIME D'ALBAIN 10, 10-2 (L P Cusack - Ireland) - Robert Colgan
39 f3p400 ONE IN A MILAN 9, 10-2 (Evan Williams) - Adam Wedge
40 4400-00 SWING BILL 13, 10-1 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell
* M P Fogarty down to ride Vesper Bell in the racecard
S.P : 10-1 Double Seven & Teaforthree, 12-1 Long Run, 14-1 Balthazar King, Big Shu & The Package, 16-1 Burton Port, Monbeg Dude, Rocky Creek, Shakalakaboomboom, Tidal Bay & Triolo D'Alene, 20-1 Mr Moonshine & Prince de Beauchene, 25-1 Our Father, PINEAU DE RE & The Rainbow Hunter, 33-1 Alvarado, Chance du Roy, Colbert Station, Lion Na Bearnai & Walkon, 40-1 Battle Group, Mountainous, One in a Milan, Quito de la Roque & Vesper Bell, 50-1 Across the Bay, Hawkes Point, Hunt Ball, Last Time D'Albain, Raz de Maree, Rose of the Moon & Vintage Star, 66-1 Buckers Bridge, Golan Way, Swing Bill & Wayward Prince, 100-1 Kruzhlinin & Twirling Magnet
Aintree Debutants
Alvarado, Battle Group*, Big Shu*, Buckers Bridge*, Burton Port*, Double Seven*, Golan Way*, Hawkes Point*, Hunt Ball, Kruzhlinin, Lion Na Bearnai, Long Run*, Monbeg Dude, Mountainous*, One in a Milan*, Our Father, Prince de Beauchene*, Quito de la Roque*, Raz de Maree, Rocky Creek, Twirling Magnet, Vintage Star*, Wayward Prince
Winners over the National fences
CHANCE DU ROY - Becher Chase (2013)
TRIOLO D'ALENE - Topham Chase (2013)
Result
1st PINEAU DE RE - Leighton Aspell
2nd BALTHAZAR KING - Richard Johnson
3rd DOUBLE SEVEN - A P McCoy
4th ALVARADO - Paul Moloney
Distances : five lengths, one & a quarter lengths & ten lengths
Time : 9 mins 9.9 seconds
Owned by J A Provan
Trained by Dr Richard Newland
18 finshers
22 non-finishers (8 fell, 4 unseated rider, 2 hampered & unseated rider, 7 pulled up, 1 refused to race)
The Class of 2014
BATTLE GROUP (2005) - Beat Hollow - Cantanta (Top Ville (IRE)) - Won NHF, 7 hurdles and a chase between 2009 & 2014. Gained infamy for refusing to start in the 2014 Grand National which was a shame as he actually went with the field on the second false start. He was a pretty useful handicap hurdler although the signs of mulishness were there when he refused to race at Uttoxeter in June 2010. He finished fourth in the Coral Cup in 2011 and followed that with a win in a handicap hurdle at the National Festival. Over fences he finished fourh behind Hunt Ball in the 2012 Festival Plate and hit a rich vein of form in 2013 when he won twice at the Aintree Festival taking a handicap hurdle on the Thursday and the handicap chase over the Mildmay course before the National. He made it a hat trick by taking a long distance hurdle at Haydocks mixed meeting in May. Then the following season he started to get really awkward. He pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, refused to race at Newbury and flopped at Ascot in the Silver Cup. Then came Aintree and the following week he also refused to start at the Scottish National. There was talk of him beng banned from racing but he bizarrely turned up on the all-weather during that summer but he only beat one horse home in two starts and perhaps wisely time was called on his career.
BIG SHU (IRE) (2005) b g - Milan - Straight 'n' Fury (IRE) (Furry Glen) - Won 3 chases between 2009 & 2014. Failed in bumpers and usually found one too good in points so he did not win anything until his tenth race when he won a maiden point at Punchestown. He remained in the amateur game for most of his career but became very adapt over the Banks course winning the Ladies Cup in 2012 and the La Touche Cup in 2013. He also finished second over the course twice. He also showed that he was a cross specialist by wnning the Cross Country Event at the 2013 Festival. WIth all this experience he apppeared to be an ideal National sort but his effort in 2014 only lasted three fences and he took a heavy fall at the big ditch. Sadly he never got to have another go as he was fatally injured on the flat in the Cross Country event at Cheltenham in December.
BUCKERS BRIDGE (IRE) (2006) b g - Pelder (IRE) - La Fiere Dome (IRE) (Lafontaine (USA)) - Won 2 NHF and 3 chases between 2012 & 2015. Very lightly raced and he only saw a racecourse nineteen times. He won his first four starts though, his point, his bumper and his first two chases in 2012. He never hit those heigths again although he did pick up a Grade 2 event at Navan in February 2013. He was unplaced in that years Galway Plate and came to Aintree in 2014 as an outsider on the back of chasing home On His Own in the Bobbyjo Chase. He managed to finish eleventh . He later won a couple of points in 2016 and was last seen pulling up in the 2017 Foxhunters Chase at the Festival.
BURTON PORT (IRE) (2004) b g Bob Back (USA) - Despute (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 5 chases between 2008 & 2015. Won on his fourth attempt in Irish points before being sent to the UK where he won his first two hurdles in 2008-09. Was a very useful novice chaser in 2009-10 winning five of his seven chases including the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot and Mildmay Novices Chase at Aintree and in between was second in the RSA the Festival. He never won over fences again but he finished second to a tiring Diamond Harry in the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup and had Denman behind him in third. He then injured a tendon which ruled him out for the season. In 2011-12 he finished second in the Denman Chase and was a very credible fourth in the Gold Cup before finishing second in the Aintree Bowl. He was then off for another year. It was noted that in his seventeen starts for Nicky Henderson he had never finished out of the first four. When he reappeared, now with Jonjo O'Neill, he was not as good and whilst he appeared an ideal National sort he only got as far as the second fence at Aintree in 2014 . He then put up another great run in defeat when, looking the winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown having taken the lead three out, he was collared in the closing stages by Hadrians Approach. Sadly in February 2015 he was killed in a fall at Doncaster.
COLBERT STATION (IRE) (2004) b g - Witness Box (USA) - Laurenca's Girl (IRE) (Comanche Run) - Won 3 hurdles and 2 chases between 2009 & 2017. The choice of AP McCoy in 2013 on the basis of his victory when favourite for the Paddy Power Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting and he had followed that up with a win in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown. Prior to this he had been a useful hurdler/handicao chaser who had not until then hit the headlines. At Antree he unseated the champ at the Chair and a year later he pulled up before Valentines second time. He later reverted back to hurdles before a spell hunter chasing with Jonjo O'Neill and he last raced under rules at Warwick in May 2017. He ran in points the following year and was successful once.
DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) (2006) b g - Milan - Bargante (IRE) (Phardante (FR)) - Won 4 hurdles & 5 chases between 2010 & 2017. This one burst onto the scene and shone brightly for a brief time and to be fair he seemed an ideal National sort and was the choice of the champ in 2014. He had won some hurdles in his younger days but but took time to warm up over fences and didn't win until his eleventh chase but then he won five on the bounce during the summer/autumn of 2013, three at Kilbeggan and then the Munster National at LImerick. Despite being beaten on his National prep race he started 10-1 joint favourite at Aintree. He ran well but ulitimately did not quite stay weakening in the closing stages to finish third. He ony raced three more times over the next three seasons (one a year - he was eliminated from the 2016 National) and was last seen pulling up at Navan in March 2017.
GOLAN WAY (2004) b g - Golan (IRE) - Silk Daisy (Barathea (IRE)) - Won 5 hurdles & 4 chases between 2008 & 2014. Won on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in November 2006. Whilst he didn't set the world alight on the flat he took to hurdles with four straight wins in 2008. He later won his first chase in October 2010 and finished third in the Mildmay Chase. He was hopelessly outclassed in the King George VI Chase in 2011, refusing late on when tailed off. He twice finished unplaced over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival and still occassionally ran on the flat. He did not seem an ideal National horse but he did win a hunter chase before his Aintree exertions where he fell when with the leaders at the first Canal Turn. He later showed signs of mulishess and refusedto race on his next starts at Southwell and Cheltenham and later refused at the first fence in two points in 2015.
HAWKES POINT (2005) b g - Kayf Tara - Mandys Native (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) - Won hurdle & 2 chases b etween 2011 & 2015. Had a very brief career and only ran seventeen times under rules. Won his point and one hurdle in his only season over timber. He won at Exter in January 2013 but pulled up in the National Hunt Chase. The following season he only went down by a head in the Welsh National. He was unplaced in the Haydock Park Grand National Trial which led to is his appearance at Aintree where he finished a very distant last of the eighteen finishers. He was only nine but only raced one more time in the 2015 Midlands National.
HUNT BALL (IRE) (2005) b g Winged Love (IRE) - La Fandango (IRE) (Taufan (USA)) - Won 3 hurdles and 8 chases between 2009 & 2015. Having showed very little in his early years in the 2011-12 season he became the most improved horse in training in a journey that started with victory in a 0-95 chase at Folkestone and ended seven races and six more victories later with victory at the Cheltenham Festival. The following season there were fewer races and only one win and he was sold privately to be raced in the USA. Trained by multi-champion trainer Jonathan Shepherd in the States he failed miserably in four Grade One events and only beat a handful of rivals home. He came back to the UK and finished amongst the backmarkers in the 2014 National. A year later he finished fourth in the Topham before he rattled off three wins in novice hurdle events (all in small fields). Surprisinsgly he went back to the States where again he finished in rear in the Americal Grand National at Far Hills and that was the end of a very eventful career.
LAST TIME D’ALBAIN (FR) (2004) b g - Sassanian (USA) - Lightim (FR) (Lightning (FR)) - Won 2 hurdles and 2 chases between 2009 & 2015. Was an average Irish chaser but he finished third in the Paddy Power Chase in 2012 before he finished a strong finishing third in the Topham. On the back of that he took his chance in the National a year later but he got no further than first Bechers. He later ran in hunter chases and points winning a point and a hunter chase at Fairyhouse in February 2015. He ran another fine race over one circuit of the National course finishing third in the 2015 Foxhunters which was the last time he raced under rules.
LION NA BEARNAI (IRE) (2002) b g - New Frontier (IRE) - Polly Plum (IRE) (Pollerton (IRE)) - Won 4 chases between 2007 & 2015. Pretty useless over timber and he didn't manage a win until his sixth start over fences but it was at the Punchestown Festival ((his twenty sixth start). He caused a surprise when wining the Irish Grad National in 2012 at odds of 33-1. Lightly raced the following season he only saw a racecourse twice pulling up in the Hennessy and in the Scottish Grand National. He pulled up in the National in 2014 and was unplaced in the Irish National. He returned to Aintree and pulled up in the Becher Chase. He last saw a racecourse when he uncharacteristically fell at he first fence in the 2015 Irish National.
LONG RUN (FR) (2005) b g Cadoudal (FR) - Libertina (FR) (Balsamo (FR)) - Won 5 hurdles & 10 chases between 2008 & 2016. When he lined up in the 2014 Grand National at the age of nine it already felt that he was at the veteran stage such was the amount he had packed into his career up to that point. They start them early in France where he was only once out of the first two in twelve starts. All his racing was done at Auteuil and he won the most important three year old hurdle (Prix Cambaceres) in 2008 and the Grand Steeplechase for four year olds in 2009 in what was his final race for Guillaume Macaire. Sent to Nicky Henderson he won on his debut, the Kauto Star (then known as the Feltham) Novices Chase in December 2009 and also won his second chase at Warwick. At Cheltenham though in the RSA he could only finish third and he filled that position in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his first start of the following season. However on his next start in the rescheduled King George (run in January after snow and frost had wiped out the traditional Boxing day programme) he was breathtaking while Kauto Star (looking to make it five straight wins) was struggling when he made a terrible mistake two out. Such was his impressive performance that the six year old started favourite for the Gold Cup. At the turn into the straight he looked booked for third place behind Kauto Star and Denman but his younger legs prevailed and he swept past the two champions to record a seven length victory. He was put away for the season. The following year Kauto Star gained his revenge on him finishing ahead in both the Betfair Chase and King George but he won the Denman Chase albeit in a tight finish with the vastly inferior Burton Port. In the Gold Cup he was challenging for the lead at the last but could only finish third behind Synchronised. All in all a slightly disappointing season. The following year he regained his King George crown in a titanic struggle on rain soften ground with Captain Chris and finished an excellent second in the Gold Cup. He also finished runner up in the Punchestown Gold Cup at the end of the season. Whilst he did win a valuable race at Kelso in February 2014 he never hit such heights again. He unseated in the King George, fell when leading in the 2014 National at Valentines first time and never got into the Grand Steeplechase de Paris finishing unplaced. He suffered an injury on the ferry coming home from France and was off for twenty two months. There was still talk of a second attempt at the National on his return but after he failed to sparkle in his comeback race, a hunter chase at Carlisle in March 2016 he was retired.
MONBEG DUDE (IRE) (2005) b g Witness Box (USA) - Ten Dollar Bill (IRE) (Accordian (IRE)) - Won 4 chases between 2010 & 2015. Won his sole point to point but failed to win in bumpers and hurdles but he won his debut chase at Lingfield in November 2011. Won rescheduled Welsh National in January 2013 and finished third in the Haydock Park Grand National Trial. Not up to the Gold Cup and pulled up but was fancied for his first National finishing seventh in 2014 but at longer odds chased home Many Clouds in third pace in 2015 having jumped over a faller at first Bechers. That turned out to be his final race although his retirement was not announced until November 2016.
MOUNTAINOUS (2005) b g Milan - Mullaghcloga (IRE) (Glacial Storm (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 4 hurdles between 2011 & 2017. Did most of racing at Chepstow and Ffos Las and ran in four consecutive Welsh Nationals winning twice in 2013 and 2016 and pulled up twice. His Aintree experience was brief - he was disputing the lead when he came down at first Valentines and he didn't return as he was eliminated in both 2015 & 2016. He stayed forewever and that National was the only fall of his career. He was last seen out in the 2017 Eider Chase at Newcastle
MR MOONSHINE (IRE) (2004) b g - Double Eclipse (IRE) - Kinross (Nearly A Hand) - Won 3 hurdles and 4 chases between 2010 & 2016. Won his first two chases in the autumn of 2011 but he was no match for Bobs Worth when he finished sevenh in the RSA Chase at the Festival. He showed little in his second season over fences and was an outsider when he pulled up in the 2013 National. He was bought by the connections who had owned Auroras Encore and became his replacement in 2014 and be fair he appeared to have a much beter chance this time as he had run well to finish third in the Becher Chase the previous autumn. He ran a blinder for most of the way. He led at second Bechers and was still in front four out when he was headed and lost his place evenually finishing fifteenth. Although he did manage to pick up a hurdle at Haydock in February 2016 he lost his way over fences. He was eliminated in 2016 so ran in the Topham instead finishing ninth and was last seen out at Wetherby in October 2016.
ONE IN A MILAN (IRE) (2005) b g Milan - Kitty Star (IRE) (Montelimar (USA)) - Won a hurdle and a chase between 2010 & 2015. Had the worst possible start to his career. He refused at the very first fence in his first Irish Point to Point and refused at the second fence in his second. He did manage to win over hurdles before moving to the UK where he won his sole chase, a novice event at Ffos Las in January 2013. He became a fixture in long distance chases finishing placed that years Midlands and Welsh Nationals. After a couple of runs over hurdles he lined up at Aintree and was still in contention when he came down at second Bechers. Sadly he suffered a heavy fall in the Welsh National in 2015 and was not seen again.
OUR FATHER (IRE) (2006) gr g - Shantou (USA) - Rosepan (IRE) (Taipan (IRE)) - Won 2 hurdles and a chase between 2011 & 2018. This very lightly raced individual only raced seventeen times in total. Highlight probably came early on when he won a competitive handicap hurdle at Ascot at odds on in December 2011. He started favourite for the Pertemps Final at the Festival on his next start but he finished unplaced. He won on debut over fences at Cheltenhams Open meeting in 2012 but his novice career only lasted three races. The following season he started favourite for the Hennessy finsihing a well beaten seventh and then finished fifth in the Haydock National Trial and ninth in the Kim Muir. He was clearly well thought of as he held solid each way claims for the National but he was hampered and unseated at the first Canal Turn. On his next race he was subject to a last minute plunge in the Becher Chase and as he drew clear before three out it looked liked the punters would collect. Inexplicably though the petrol tank emptied. He was headed at the last fence and weakened rapidly to finish ninth. That was it really he finished second at Cheltenham on his next start and then was off for three years. He resurfaced in the care of Gordon Elliot for whom he ran twice last being seen pulling up in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November 2018
PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) (2003) b g - French Glory (IRE) - Chipie D'Angron (FR) (Grand Tresor (FR)) - Won NHF, hurdle and 2 chases between 2007 & 2015. Won his bumper in France and won a hurdle at Argentan and a chase at Pau before being purchased by Andrea and Graham Wylie and moved to Howard Johnson. He was lightly raced but he won a hurdle at Ayr in a season that yielded just two runs. The following season 2009-2010 he ran just three times but won at Haydock. His busiest season was in 2010-11 which yielded five runs and he was successful in the handicap over the Mildmay course on Grand National day. When Howard Johnson was warned off the Wylies moved their horses to Willie Mullins. He won the 2012 Bobbyjo Chase and as a result was promoted to favouritism for the 2012 National before a stress fractire to the hip ended his season. He was of the course for ten months winning on his return, a hurdle at Limerick and after he finished second in the Bobbyjo Chase he was again amongst the favourites for the National when lightning struck twice - another stress fracture and that was his season over. His chance had probaby come and gone but after a number of runs in top company he finally got to line up in the National and managed to finish the course amongst the backmarkers but virtually walked across the line. The following season he won a point and three hunter chases on the bounce, the last by an incredible sixty two lengths at Gowran in March 2015.
QUITO DE LA ROQUE (FR) (2004) b g - Saint des Saints (FR) - Moody Cloud (FR) (Cyborg (FR)) - Won 2 hurdles and 7 chases between 2009 & 2014. Won his Irish point and was successful in a listed novice hurdle at Clonmel and in a large field at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. He enjoyed a very successful first season over fences winning five times including the Mildmay Chase and a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. He started his second season well with victory over future Queen Mother Chase winner SIzing Europe in the Down Royal Champion Chase and then he fihisned third behind future Gold Cup winner Synchronised in the Lexus Chase. That was the end of that season and whlst he still could put up a big performance (he won a Grade 2 event at Thurles in January 2014) he was not as good thereafter. He pulled up in the Grand National having got himself tailed off, burst a blood vessal and he was not seen out again.
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) (2005) gr g - Moonax (IRE) - Little Rosel (IRE) (Roselier (FR)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 3 chases between 2010 & 2015. Won his first two chases in the autumn of 2012 but pulled up in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival. He was unplaced in the Becher Chase and then won a small race a Wetherby before his attempt at the National which was only his seventh start over fences. He was still in contention when he fell at the twenty sixth. He pulled up in the Bet 365 Gold on his next start and later tried his luck over the cross country course at Cheltenham and the banks course at Punchestown finishing fourth in the 2015 La Touche Cup. He was eliminated in 2015. He last ran under rules at Doncaster in December 2015 butr ran in points the following spring without success.
SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM (IRE) (2004) b g - Anshan - Tia Maria (IRE) (Supreme Leader) - Won 4 chases between 2009 & 2015. Had possibly the craziest name of any National runner and possibly on the back of that he came in for considerable support from the once a year punters in 2012. He didn't seem to have enjoyed himself when he finished seventh in the 2011 Topham but he had followed that with a victory in a big field at the Punchestown Festival. He was prominent leading from the fourth to the thirteenth and again from four out until he was headed at the second last. He eventually finished ninth. He was then off the course for over a year and was not as good on his return. He returned in 2014 but was never in contention and pulled up before the twentieth fence. He showed nothing the following season and last raced under rules at Ffos Las in May 2015. He then went pointing where he was successful once in sixteen starts.
SWING BILL (FR) (2001) gr g Swing Bill - Melodie Royale (FR) (Garde Royale (IRE)) - Won 2 hurdles and 4 chases between 2005 & 2014. Won a hurdle and a chase in his native France before being moved to the UK in October 2006, Became something of an Aintree specialist making his first appearance in the 2011 Topham where he finished fifth. He ran over the National course a further five times and only failed to finish once when he pulled up two out in the 2011 Becher Chase. He completed in his three Nationals finishing twelfth in 2012, sixth in 2013 and ninth in 2014. That was his final start under rules but he ran in a few points the following year.
TEAFORTHREE (IRE) (2004) b g Oscar (IRE) - Ethel's Bay (IRE) (Strong Gale (IRE)) - Won Hurdle & 4 chases between 2010 & 2015. Started life in the Irish pointing field winning once from five starts in 2010. Afer a quiet start he came to prominence by lifitng the National Hunt Chase at the 2012 Festival. He was fancied for the 2013 National having only gone down by half a length to Monbeg Dude in the Welsh equivalent. Featuring prominently in the build up he led between Foinavon second time and the twenty sixth and led again at the second last eventually finishing third to Auroras Encore. The following year he was joint favourite for the race but uncharacteristically unseated at the Chair (the only time in his career that he lost his rider). He did run in the Gold Cup beforehand and finished eighth but he seemed far of a National horse than a Gold Cup one. He won a hunter chase the following season at Bangor and last raced at Haydock in February 2015.
THE PACKAGE (2003) br g - Kayf Tara - Ardent Bride (Ardrross) - Won NHF, hurdle and 3 chases between 2007 & 2016. Won his bumper and a maiden hurdle but had to wait two more years before win number three at Cheltenham in December 2009. He then only failed by a head to win the Ultima Handicap Chase at he Festival and was fancied for the National on his next start and he was still in contention when he unseated at the nineteenth. He finished fifth in the Bet365 Gold Cup on his next start. He then had his problems, had two lengthy spells on the sidelines and he did not run in the National again until 2014 (he finished third in his prep race the Ultima at the Festival). I had a real good feeling about him in 2014 and had actually dreamt that he won the race Going down to Bechers second time I really though he had a chance but he faded to finish twelfth. He pulled up in the Becher Chase the following autumn but enjoyed one magnificent day in the sun when he won the Kim Muir at the 2015 Festival by twelve lengths. He was eliminated from the National and pulled up in the Bet365 Gold Cup on his next start and ran one more time at Uttoxeter in June 2015.
TIDAL BAY (IRE) (2001) Flemensfirth (USA) - Junes Bride (IRE) (Le Moss (IRE)) - Won 7 hurdles & 8 chases between 2006 & 2014. This one was quirky but loveable and he was also very talented (when he was in the mood). He won his first three novice hurdles in 2006 but was beaten a neck in the RSA Novices Hurdle at the Festival. He then won the Mersey Novices Hurdle on Grand National day 2007. Even better over fences, he won five out of his six starts including a Cheltenham/Aintree Grade One double of the Arkle and the Maghull Novices Chases. Then it started go a little askew - he won on seasonal debut at Carlisle, was no match for Master Minded in the Tingle Creek where he lost his place after poors jumps early on, got behind in his Festval target, the Ryanair and was left with too much to do although he did rally and finally appeared reluctant in the Melling Chase where he finished a distant fifth. He even earnt the dreaded Timeform "squiggle" in that seasons Chasers and Hurdlers. The following season he was switched back to hurdles and won the Cleeve Hurdle but was no match for Big Bucks in both the Stayers and Liverpool Hurdles. He couldn't shake that 'squiggle' though and after some satisfiactory performances in defeat (he finished sixth in 2011 Gold Cup) there was that nagging feeling that with his quirky high head carriage and tendancy to drop himself out in races that he just wasn't genuine enough to ever challenge for top honours. He was even tried in the National but unseated on the first circuit. In November 2011 he was moved to Paul NIcholls yard and in the mud at the end of the season put up his best display over fences when running away with the Bet 365 Gold Cup by fifteen lengths, the third widest margin in the history of the race. Later that year he finished second in the Hennessy behind Bobs Worth, won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and finally lost that damned squiggle. He suffered a stress fracture on the gallops after that Lexus win when he was probably at the height of his powers and although he did return to racing the following season (and won his second West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby) he was never going to retain that level of form although he did finish third in the Welsh National and was runner up in the Irish Gold Cup. He was aimed for a second National in 2014 but was hampered and unseated at the first Canal (later whilst running loose he carried out the leader Across The Bay after the water relegating him from first to last in a matter of strides). He last raced in the Scottish National the following week.
TWIRLING MAGNET (IRE) b g - Imperial Ballet (IRE) - Molly Maguire (IRE) (Supreme Leader) - Won NHF, hurdle and 5 chases between 2010 & 2017. Had won over hurdles at Sandown and chases at Newbury and Cheltenham but was one of the outsiders in 2014 and his experience was very brief falling at the first fence. The following year he was running in hunter chases and was successful three times in that sphere. He ran in the Foxhunters in 2015 finishing sixth and he also ran in the 2016 Cheltenham Foxhunters but was amngst the backmarkers. He last was seen falling at Ludlow in January 2017.
VESPER BELL (IRE) (2006) b g - Beneficial - Fair Choice (IRE) (Zaffaran (USA)) - Won NHF, hurdle and chase between 2011 and 2014. Very brief career lasting oly four seasons. He had an inauspicious start to his Aintree career faling at the first fence in the Becher Chase. Did much better in the National finishing the course albeit never troubling the leaders. He ran at the Punchestown Festival on his next start but whilst he was still only eight there is no record of him running anywhere again.
VINTAGE STAR (IRE) (2006) b g - Presenting - Rare Vintage (IRE) (Germany (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 3 chases between 2011 & 2015. Fairly average chaser who plied his trade mostly in the north of England. Pulled up in 2013 RSA and also the Scottish Grand National in 2015. At Aintree he never got into the National pulling up after Valentines second time. He was eliminated in 2015. His career ended at the relativly early age of nine but he went out on a winner, at Carlisle in November 2015. Incidentally four of his five wins came at the Cumbrian track.
WALKON (FR) (2005) gr g - Take Risks (FR) - La Tirana (FR) (Akarad (FR)) - Won 4 hurdles & a chase between 2008 & 2015. Won four times on the flat in France before moving to the UK. Took to hurdles like a duck to water winning three of his first four starts, only going down three quarters of a length on the Triumph before lifting the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. He ended the year the second highestrated juveile hurdler according to Timeform one point behind his Cheltenham conqueror Zaynar. A tendon injury kept his off the course for twenty one months and he did well to finish runner up on his reappearance at Ascot in January 2011. He finished seventh in the Coral Cup at that years Festival and then went chasing winning his first chase at Exeter ironically beating his old rival Zaynar. He didn't win again. He finished fifth in the 2012 RSA and pulled up in the Scottish National. His fourth Festival in 2013 saw him finish fifth in the Festival Plate and then he put up probably his finest performance over fences when he was only beaten three quarters of a length by Triolo D'Alene in the 2013 Topham. The National semed the obvious next step but he was behind when he pulled up suddently before the second last. He had slipped a tendon which was initialy thought to be career ending. He did though reappear later that year but after failing to sparkle in two races (the last at Cheltenham in January 2015) time was called on his career.
WAYWARD PRINCE (2004) b g Alflora (IRE) - Bellion Spirit (IRE) (Robellino (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles & 6 chases between 2009 & 2015. Won a point to point in 2009. Won the Sefton Novices Hurdle at the 2010 AIntree Festival which was a step up in class. Won his first three chases and finished third in the RSA in 2011. Didn't show that much over the following two seasons although he did pick up a chase at Aintree in December 2012. Finished tailed off in the 2013 Gold Cup and was also a long way behind in the 2014 Grand National when he took a very tired fall three out. He enjoyed a renaissance in his final season wnning the Grimthrope Chase at Doncaster and ended on the most wonderful hgh when he held on to take the Scottish Grand National. What a way to go out.