Don’t Push It, who gave champion jockey Tony McCoy a first John Smith’s Grand National success last year, is set to carry joint-top weight of 11st 10lb in the 2011 race.
Weights for the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National, which takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 9, were revealed at the meeting’s Official Launch in London today and Don’t Push It, who carried 11st 5lb to victory last year, jointly tops the handicap on 11st 10lb along with Neptune Collonges, winner of last month’s Grade Two Argento Chase at Cheltenham.
Don't Push It & Tony McCoy - Grand National 2010
The John Smith’s Grand National – worth a record £950,000 this year – is the only race in which the British Horseracing Board’s Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith, is able to use his discretion to frame the weights.
There is a maximum field size of 40 and last year no horse lower than 79th position in the weights at this stage got into the race, suggesting that any horse allotted less than 10st in 2011 will struggle to make the final cut.
Following today’s unveiling, Aintree’s official betting partner totesport make Ballabriggs and Niche Market 16/1 joint-favourites. Ballabriggs (11st) bids to give Cheshire handler Donald McCain a first success in the John Smith’s Grand National. McCain’s father Ginger enjoyed four successes in the race, of which three were provided by Red Rum.
Niche Market is part of a 10-strong team from champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has never won the John Smith’s Grand National. The 10-year-old has been given 10st 13lb and Nicholls has five of the top 21 horses in the handicap. Alongside Neptune Collonges, there is What A Friend (11st 6lb), winner of last year’s totesport Bowl at Aintree and part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Taranis (11st) and The Tother One (11st).
Don’t Push It’s owner J P McManus is also represented by Coral Welsh National winner Synchronised (11st 6lb), Quolibet (10st 8lb), bought out of Francois Doumen’s stable in France to join Jonjo O’Neill, Quiscover Fontaine (10st 5lb), Can’t Buy Time (10st 4lb) and Arbor Supreme (10st 3lb).
Raiders from across the Irish Sea have won half the last 12 runnings of the John Smith’s Grand National and, along with Quiscover Fontaine and Arbor Supreme, trainer Willie Mullins has nine engaged this year including Dooneys Gate (11st 4lb) and Thyestes Chase runner-up The Midnight Club (10st 13lb).The Edward O’Grady-trained Tranquil Sea, winner of the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on his latest start, is the highest-weighted entry from Ireland with 11st 7lb to carry.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Backstage, who unseated his rider in the 2010 race, won a point-to-point at Kirkistown on Saturday by 10 lengths as part of his Aintree preparation and will carry 10st 12lb this year.
Other classy entries include Tidal Bay (11st 9lb), winner of the 2008 Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree, and the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National third State Of Play, whose 10st 6lb weight compares with 10st 11lb last year. Big Fella Thanks, last year’s fourth owned by Harry Findlay’s mother Maggie, has been allotted 11st 1lb, 3lb more than in 2010. Last season’s Coral Scottish Grand National hero Merigo is set to carry 10st 1lb, while the Neil Mulholland-trained totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Midnight Chase has 11st 8lb.
The Alan King-trained West End Rocker, who could line up in Saturday’s totesport.com Grand National Trial at Haydock, has been given 10st 5lb.
Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse, commented: “BHA Head of Handicapping Phil Smith looks to have framed a typically-competitive renewal of the John Smith’s Grand National, which looks set to attract a classy field that befits the richest race ever run in Britain when all eyes are on Aintree on Saturday, April 9.”
Ballabiggs remains favourite
Ballabriggs remains favourite in the ante-post betting after the publication of the weights for the Grand National. A win for the 10-year-old would carry on a family tradition for his trainer, Donald McCain, as his father, Ginger, is an Aintree legend having won the National four times – three with Red Rum and once with Amberleigh House.
Ballabriggs leads the market for the race on 7 April at 14-1 with Betfred, Coral and William Hill, while totesport and Paddy Power have him as the 16-1 joint-favourite with Niche Market.
Tony McCoy ended his National hoodoo with Don’t Push It last April and Jonjo O’Neill’s charge is 20-1 for a repeat success. He has been given joint-top weight – with Neptune Collonges – of 11st 10lb, 5lb more than 2010. His stablemate, the Welsh National winner Synchronised (11st 6lb), is the same price.
McCoy is 12-1 with Coral and William Hill to ride back-to-back National winners from his choice of mounts.
Betfred are keen on the chances of the Willie Mullins-trained The Midnight Club off 10st 13lb and have trimmed the Rich Ricci-owned gelding to 16-1 joint second favourite.
Mullins, who has nine entries, is 11-2 favourite with Hills to be the winning trainer – ahead of Nicholls on 6-1 – and add a second National triumph after Hedgehunter in 2005.
Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay is next in the weights after Don’t Push It and Neptune Collonges on 11st 9lb while the Neil Mulholland-trained Midnight Chase is on 11st 8lb. Evan Williams’ Deep Purple features next on the list on 11st 7lb. “The main aim for Tidal Bay is the Gold Cup so we’ll see,” Johnson said.
“I have schooled him over National fences before and he jumps them like a buck. there’s nearly a month between them and he’s 10 now but we’ll see. He wants a marathon trip these days, which is strange for an Arkle winner. If he ran, we’d know our fate early. He’ll either take to it or tail himself off.”
THE 2011 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, £950,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 9, 2011, four miles and four furlongs. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 13, 2011. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 1, 2011, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances to February 13, 2011, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 13, 2011. At the Handicapper’s discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 1, entries revealed February 2 (102 entries, 1 subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 15, first scratchings deadline March 1, second scratchings deadline March 22. Five-day confirmation stage April 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 7. Maximum field size of 40, plus 4 reserves. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, February 13. Don’t Push It and Neptunes Collonges rated 160.
Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
1) 23P1-P0 DON’T PUSH IT (IRE) 11-11-10 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
2) F14/-B01 NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) 10-11-10 John Hales Paul Nicholls
3) 104-322 TIDAL BAY (IRE) 10-11-09 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
4) 1-41111 MIDNIGHT CHASE 9-11-08 Lady Clarke Neil Mulholland
5) 1P46-3U DEEP PURPLE 10-11-07 Paul Green Evan Williams
6) 2106-11 TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 9-11-07 Dermot Cox/Nelius Hayes Edward O’Grady IRE
7) 131-561 SYNCHRONISED (IRE) 8-11-06 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
8) 501B-00 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 11-11-06 Seamus Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE
9) 61/211-5 WHAT A FRIEND 8-11-06 Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson Paul Nicholls
10) U62/1-31 MAJESTIC CONCORDE (IRE) 8-11-05 Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
11) 2F1425 OR NOIR DE SOMOZA (FR) 9-11-05 Silvio-Martin Staub David Pipe
12) 01F24-41 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 10-11-04 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE
13) 16-1155 LITTLE JOSH (IRE) 9-11-03 Tony Bloom Nigel Twiston-Davies
14) 20-3534 SCOTSIRISH (IRE) 10-11-02 Double R Stables Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
15) 2U14-2F BIG FELLA THANKS 9-11-01 Maggie Findlay Ferdy Murphy
16) 3111-11 BALLABRIGGS (IRE) 10-11-00 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain
17) 14P//1-0F TARANIS (FR) 10-11-00 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls
18) UP-3631 TATENEN (FR) 7-11-00 The Stewart Family Richard Rowe
19) 205-244 THE TOTHER ONE (IRE) 10-11-00 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
20) 520P-F5 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 10-10-13 Graham Regan Paul Nicholls
21) U3133-2 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) 10-10-13 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
22) 0BP-500 BACKSTAGE (FR) 9-10-12 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
23) 30011-0 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 11-10-12 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt
24) 5121-00 SILVER BY NATURE 9-10-12 Geoff Brown Lucinda Russell
25) 1500-10 FAIR ALONG (GER) 9-10-11 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs
26) F42040 I’MSINGINGTHEBLUES (IRE) 9-10-11 Jo Tracey David Pipe
27) 4UP-250 NOTRE PERE (FR) 10-10-11 Tilly Conway Barry Potts IRE
28) 4-56242 CALGARY BAY (IRE) 8-10-10 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight
29) P2P-253 KILLYGLEN (IRE) 9-10-10 David McCammon Stuart Crawford IRE
30) 1/2100-P TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 8-10-10 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
31) 121616- JUST AMAZING (IRE) 8-10-09 Catherine Penny Paul Nicholls
32) 3152-26 OSCAR TIME (IRE) 10-10-09 Robert Waley-Cohen/Sir Martin & S Broughton Martin Lynch IRE
33) 032236- SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 11-10-09 Quayside Syndicate Colin Bowe IRE
34) 0100-03 BALLYTRIM (IRE) 10-10-08 Violet O’Leary Willie Mullins IRE
35) 2212-42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 8-10-08 Noel Glynn Noel Glynn IRE
36) 2/000-06 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 12-10-08 David Johnson David Pipe
37) 1-122B0 NEDZER’S RETURN (IRE) 9-10-08 William Elliott Gordon Elliott IRE
38) P-550042 NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 10-10-08 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
39) 510-113 QUINZ (FR) 7-10-08 Andrew Cohen Philip Hobbs
40) 2F-FF25 QUOLIBET (FR) 7-10-08 J P McManus Jonjo O’Nell
41) 313-355 FROM DAWN TO DUSK 12-10-07 Charles Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs
42) 11FP10P GRAND SLAM HERO (IRE) 10-10-07 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies
43) 3P6/454-P ROLL ALONG (IRE) 11-10-07 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies
44) 2212-52 APT APPROACH (IRE) 8-10-06 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
45) P22-41F GULLIBLE GORDON (IRE) 8-10-06 Bunty Millard Paul Nicholls
46) 3211-11 KING FONTAINE (IRE) 8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson
47) 0/144/P3- STATE OF PLAY 11-10-06 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
48) 21PP-PP DREAM ALLIANCE 10-10-05 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs
49) 005P-1P HELLO BUD (IRE) 13-10-05 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies
50) 566U-343 IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-05 Westerly Breeze Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
51) 0/1160-2 QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) 7-10-05 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
52) 6-220001 SANTA’S SON (IRE) 11-10-05 Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont Howard Johnson
53) 2P/00-11 WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 9-10-05 Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King
54) 0C21-04 BLUESEA CRACKER (IRE) 9-10-04 Note The Link Syndicate James Motherway IRE
55) 16F-0P5 CAN’T BUY TIME (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill
56) 000-3056 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn
57) 1215/1P/-5 ORNAIS (FR) 9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
58) 00P-234 PIRAYA (FR) 8-10-04 Terry Neill David Pipe
59) PP2/111/- SURFACE TO AIR 10-10-04 Tim Urry Chris Bealby
60) 301050 THAT’S RHYTHM (FR) 11-10-04 Don’t Tell Henry Martin Todhunter
61) 0U2F-0P ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
62) 1F3U-P1U FRANKIE FIGG (IRE) 9-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
63) 15P-614 MOBAASHER (USA) 8-10-03 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams
64) 331-P31 NICTO DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 10-10-03 Exors of the late Philip de Wilde Victor Dartnall
65) 1P0-053U ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 10-10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE
66) 013111- OUR MONTY (IRE) 8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE
67) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR) 12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
68) 0P1-006 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen
69) 421001 GOLDEN KITE (IRE) 9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan Adrian Maguire IRE
70) P1P-41U MEANUS DANDY (IRE) 8-10-02 Mark & Tessa Woodhouse & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
71) 41/313-0 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE) 10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards
72) 1F4/22-1 BELON GALE (IRE) 8-10-01 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
73) 3/402P-0 FAASEL (IRE) 10-10-01 Hush Hush Partnership David Pipe
74) 3P-0204 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 8-10-01 Glass Half Full Richard Lee
75) 0D61-0F MERIGO (FR) 10-10-01 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker
76) 321112 PUTNEY BRIDGE 9-10-01 Louise Goldsworthy Keith Goldsworthy
77) 012P51 QUEZAC DE LA ROQUE (FR) 7-10-01 Gerald Laroche Francois Cottin FR
78) 256-0216 ASKTHEMASTER (IRE) 11-10-00 Carrolle Wall Robert Tyner IRE
79) 363221- DEV (IRE) 11-10-00 Liam Mulryan Gordon Elliott IRE
80) F123-P2 GILES CROSS (IRE) 9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall
81) 111U0-6 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 9-10-00 Billy Moffett/R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE
82) 11P61/0/- STARZAAN (IRE) 12-10-00 Ben Arbib Hughie Morrison
83) 60U0-60 AMBOBO (USA) 11-9-13 Deirdre Brassil Martin Brassil IRE
84) 05241P DUERS (IRE) 9-9-13 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE
85) 31-PP11 SAGALYRIQUE (FR) 7-9-13 Sir Robert Ogden Donald McCain
86) 311120- TOBY JUG 10-9-13 Paul & Caron Chapman & Sarah Humphrey Sarah Humphrey
87) 635P-6P CANE BRAKE (IRE) 12-9-12 Mount Temple Racing Syndicate Conor O’Dwyer IRE
88) 5/2613-P GALANT NUIT (FR) 7-9-12 David Parry Ferdy Murphy
89) 3131-32 JUNIOR 8-9-12 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe
90) 00-5064 THE SAWYER (BEL) 11-9-12 David Fear Bob Buckler
91) 315F-0(3)F KHACHATURIAN (IRE) 8-9-10 John Glews & Brendan Richardson Donald McCain
92) 40F-0445 BALLYFITZ 11-9-09 Fred & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies
93) P0-24U34 I’MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) 8-9-09 Fred Matthews Neil Mulholland
94) PF4-536 POMME TIEPY (FR) 8-9-09 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
95) P12-UPP3 BURREN LEGEND (IRE) 10-9-08 Thomas Thompson Richard Rowe
96) 12/- CARRONHILLS (IRE) 9-9-08 A J & Mrs C Rhead & Gearoid Costello Rebecca Curtis
97) 204/12-PP THE SLIOTAR (IRE) 10-9-08 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs
98) 4F2P-43 TINAKELLYLAD (IRE) 7-9-07 Brenda Twomey Mouse Morris IRE
99) 021-062 NOBLE CONCORDE 9-9-04 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
100) F/116PP- TREACLE (IRE) 10-9-04 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE
101) 560-P232 REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 10-9-02 Janet Heler Tom George
101 entries
34 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
