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2009 Grand National entries

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Friday 27 March 2009

John Quinn's Character Building has been ruled out of the John Smith's Grand National after suffering a setback.

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir winner has lameness in a foot. "We had a press day on Monday and he was absolutely fine, but we weren't altogether happy with him the following morning and he hasn't cantered since," Quinn told the Racing Post.

"He may be able to start cantering again on Monday, but by then he'd have missed a vital week's work, and it wouldn't be fair to the horse to run him in the National, after that sort of preparation.

"It's best if everyone knows now that he won't be running.

"Obviously, it is very disappointing for me and everybody in the yard, and particularly for the owners, but these things happen with horses.

"It's nothing major - it's in his foot - and if he comes right, and I'm happy with him, he'll go for the Irish National. And, if not, and we need a bit more time, then we'll look at the Scottish Grand National."

Keith Reveley reckons that 11-year-old John Smith's Grand National hope Rambling Minster is in the best from of his life ahead of next week's Aintree test.

Reveley told PA Sport: "It is such a unique race and we are over the moon just to have a horse good enough to run in it. But to have one with half a chance is great for James and all the family.

"Everything has gone brilliantly and he did his last piece of work on Wednesday - I could not be happier with him. I know he is an 11-year-old, but his last two runs have been the best runs of his life."

Jimmy Mangan, who saddled Monty's Pass to National victory in 2003, is set to run Himalayan Trail in this year's renewal of the race. Mangan said: "Himalayan Trail is all set for the John Smith's Grand National. We gave him a spin over hurdles at Naas in February, when he was 11th, but that was on bottomless ground and he's a different horse in the spring.

"He's really turned inside out since the weather has got warmer and better ground is the key for him, so we will be hoping that the rain stays away. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he gets on next weekend.

"His run in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase was on desperate ground and he still produced a good run. Barry Geraghty was delighted with him afterwards and he was absolutely thrilled with the way he jumped the fences.

"I am waiting to see whether Barry will be required to ride for Nicky Henderson but he's certainly been a lucky jockey for me in the past, with Monty's Pass, and I would love to have him on board Himalayan Trail."

Charles Egerton has confirmed that Darkness, who won at Newbury recently after two years off the track with a tendon injury, is an intended runner in the Grand National.

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Wednesday 25 March 2009

Paul Nicholls is pleased with his two main Grand National hopes. Of ante-post favourite My Will, fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the trainer said: "I was very pleased with him at Cheltenham. Unlike the others who'd been prepared to run their very best race in the Gold Cup, we were using the race as a stepping stone to Aintree.

"I hope the handicapper is right as he feels we are eight pounds well in but like everyone at Aintree, we will need a lot of luck in running."

Of Big Fella Thanks, Nicholls added: "I wouldn't have wanted to run him at Cheltenham, he wasn't quite right in his coat after a couple of hard races. He's fresh and well now and I'm looking forward to him running too. He is a novice but has plenty of experience from his point-to-point days. Gwanako won the Topham for us last year and he'd only had three runs over fences so inexperience won't be a problem."

Harry Findlay has told The Guardian that Denman is back to top form and should run well in the totesport Bowl next week.

"Denman is very much on an upward curve. Paul Barber said to me just before the Gold Cup that he thought he was maybe only a couple of weeks short - his well-being and progression since the race have made us think that even more.

"The Gold Cup was a difficult race to watch in many ways, but the reception and response he got from the crowd afterwards were just phenomenal. Knowing what the crowds are like at Aintree, it will be one of the great days of my life if he can come back and put in an authoritative performance."

Last year's John Smith's Grand National runner up King Johns Castle will miss this year's renewal after meeting a setback.

Willie Mullins reports his Grand National pair to be in good order. He told At The Races: "I think with Irish Invader, even though he has done most of his winning over two miles and two and a quarter, he has won a three-mile hurdle and his pedigree suggests he will stay.

"He has a tremendous way of jumping, I think he'll love the ground and it's all to play for.

"Snowy Morning ran OK in the Bobbyjo but he was beaten plenty. He wouldn't have liked the ground on the day. With the sun on his back in the last few days and the drying ground I'm hoping he will improve immensely."

Mullins also outlined his plans for Punchestown. Of Quevega he said: "Hopefully she'll head to Punchestown. I imagine she'll run in the mares' hurdle but I'll keep her well entered up.

"She will be entered in the Champion Hurdle next year I would imagine, but the mares' race looks the obvious one for her but a lot can happen between now and then. I'll be keeping an eye on the Champion but she would have to improve a bit. Form experts say she is well up to Champion Hurdle class and I hope they are right."

Mikael D'Haguenet is set to run at Punchestown and then in France, and Cooldine is also being prepared fro a run at Punchestown.

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Monday 23 March 2009

The Paul Nicholls-trained Tatenen, who fell when favourite in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, is to return in the Grade One John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree. Owner Andy Stewart told At The Races: "He was absolutely fine, apart from a few egos were bruised. He's all set for the Maghull at Liverpool and let's hope he can jump around there."

Meanwhile, Stewart added that Champion Hurdle second Celestial Halo will step up to two and a half miles in the Aintree Hurdle. He said: "It was a marvellous run in the Champion Hurdle and we are all set to have a go with him again on Grand National day. He goes for the Aintree Hurdle and it could be his ideal distance."

Tom George could run his impressive Racing Post Trophy winner Nacarat in the totesport Bowl at Aintree next week, where he would likely meet Gold Cup second Denman. The John Smith's Melling Chase over half a mile shorter is also an option for Nacarat.

George told PA Sport: "He'll be entered for both races and we will just have to see how the entries look. We are a different type of horse to Denman really as we're a speed horse. But we'll just have to see what happens and we'll make our choice nearer the time."

PArt owner Paul Beck says that Midlands Grand National second Flintoff could run in either the Scottish National or the Irish National at Fairyhouse.

"I think you might see him at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, or maybe the Scottish National on the Saturday," Beck said. "He'll be entered for both and we'll see what the ground's like."

Beck also had news of Stan, also trained by Venetia Williams, who could bypass the John Smith's Grand National in favour of a trip to the Grand Nakayama Jump in Japan.