Aintree 2009 News
2nd April
Champion jockey Tony McCoy, still looking for his first Grand National winner, has opted to ride Butlers Cabin in the big race on Satuday.
1st April
Watering is to continue overnight on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses to ensure that ground conditions remain ideal for the start of racing on Thursday.
The official going on both the Mildmay and Hurdles courses remains GOOD with conditions on the Grand National course GOOD, GOOD to SOFT in places. (Going stick readings - Hurdle 7.8; Mildmay 7.6; National 7.3).
"I am pleased with the condition of the Grand National course and I intend to leave that as it is now," said clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch. "We are now forecast to receive some rain on Friday night which is either going to be 1-2 millimetres or 4-5 milimetres depending upon who you listen to, but even if we get the uppermost of those estimates, it won’t be a problem and I would expect good ground for the big race.
"It has been a dry week and there isn’t any sign of any rain coming before Friday, so we will continue to selectively water the Mildmay and Hurdle courses where needed.
"The forecast is for it to be quite warm over the next couple of days and if we need to water further after racing on Thursday then we will do so."
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The going on the Grand National course remains good, good to soft in places after another overcast day. Between three and six millimetres of water were put on the course on Tuesday.
The Mildmay and Hurdles courses have good going. These two courses were watered on Monday and more water will be applied selectively on Wednesday.
Andrew Tulloch, the Aintree clerk of the course, will assess the situation on Wednesday evening to see if more watering is necessary.
The forecast is for brighter weather from Thursday.
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Emmet Mullins will have his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National on Chelsea Harbour, who is trained by his uncle Tom.
Mullins (19), who rode as an amateur for two seasons before turning professional in 2008 has ridden 31 winners to his credit.
Emmet Mullins has ridden Chelsea Harbour four times previously, though without success.
Chelsea Harbour finished ninth in last year’s race.
31st March
Connections of Stan have decided to run him in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, rather than take up an alternative engagement in the Far East.
The 10-year-old was handed an invitation to take part in the Grand Nakayama Jump, a valuable international Grade One contest run over 4,250 metres at Nakayama racecourse in Japan, later this month.
However, Stan’s owner Paul Beck and trainer Venetia Williams have instead decided that the horse should take his chance in the National.
"We’ve turned down the Japanese invitation and we’re 100 per cent set for Aintree," Beck said today.
"I don’t think he’s without a chance, if he stays the trip. I suppose he’s a bit of a trip-less horse, but he was staying on when he was fourth behind New Little Bric in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Three (Totesport.com Gold Cup) at Newbury under a big weight and looked like he might appreciate a greater test of stamina there.
"You never know. If he gets around the first circuit then he could just still be in with a shout at the finish. He’s a horse who has kept surprising us."
Beck is also hoping to run Stan’s stablemate, Flintoff, whom he owns jointly with England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, but that horse would need a further seven withdrawals to get into Saturday's contest.
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Dominic Elsworth’s hopes of riding Darkness in Saturday’s big race hang in the balance following a scan on the shoulder he damaged in a fall at Towcester last week. The rider suffered severe bruising and expects to know more on Wednesday.
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Nigel Twiston-Davies has announced that Sam Waley-Cohen will ride Ollie Magern in the John Smith’s Grand National. The amateur has a decent record over the big fences, having twice won the John Smith’s Foxhunters’ on Katarino and landed the Joh Smith’s Topham Chase on Liberthine.
30th March
War Of Attrition, who has attracted a lot of support in recent days is to miss the Grand National after suffering a training setback.
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Cloudy Lane is the new top weight for the Grand National following the, as expected, defections of Snoopy Loopy and Nozic.
As a result all weights will be raised by 3lbs.
Roll Along, King Johns Castle and Character Building were among the defectors as 74 remain in Saturday's race at the five day stage.
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Ruby Walsh, looking for his third Grand National win, will ride My Will in Saturday's contest.
The jockey had his pick of several good runners including My Will's stablemate Big Fella Thanks, his fathers Southern Vic and Willie Mullins' Irish Invader.
Bookmakers have reacted by cutting My Will's odds to 8/1 clear favourite.
28th March
L'Ami, the horse which effectively ended Mick Fitzgerald's career in last years Grand National has attracted significant support in the betting, with his price being cut from 50/1 to 20/1 with some layers.
27th March
Some more defections from the Grand National meeting, Well Chief - runner up to Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion chase - is expected to by-pass Aintree and head to either Punchestown or Sandown later in April.
Character Building is to miss the big race following a training setback.
26th March
Trainer Paul Nicholls has said it is almost certain that Denman will head for the Totesport Bowl on the opening day of the meeting.
Speaking on At The Races Nicholls said, "Denman is in fine form and on target for Thursday. As long as the ground is safe he will run.
"He has come out of the Gold Cup in great shape and we are looking forward to Aintree."
Staying with the Totesport Bowl another Nicholls runner, Nozic, has been allocated top weight of 11-12 in the race. Although he currently holds a National entry, he is likely to be withdrawn from the big one as he now looks set to carry top weight in the marathon 4m 4f contest, following the defection of Snoopy Loopy.
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Trainer Henry Daly has indicated that Mighty Man is set to return to Aintree in an attempt to win the Liverpool Hurdle for the third time.
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Jockey Denis O'Regan has been passed fit to resume race riding next Tuesday after having a MRI scan on his back, following a fall at Ayr a week ago.
O'Regan suffered in bruising in the fall from Bleak House in a beginners chase.
A naturally happy O'Regan, who is booked to ride leading NAtional fancy Black Apalachi said, "I'm very relieved. I'm going to ride out at the weekend and then I'll be back riding on the track on Tuesday.
"Obviously the few days I've had off have given me some relief, so I'm feeling good.
"Hopefully I will have other rides at Aintree. At least I've got the all-clear so I can go on from there."
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Trainer Evan Williams has confirmed that former Hennessy Gold Cup and Charlie Hall winner State Of Play will be a runner in the National.
25th March
Jockey Denis O'Regan should find out on Thursday morning if he can ride at Aintree next week.
He is awaiting the results of an MRI scan on his back following a heavy fall at Ayr last Thursday.
O'Regan is hoping the damage is "just" severe bruising
"I haven't got a complete answer yet as the surgeon is still looking at it. I should know in the morning."
24th March
Last year's Grand National runner-up, King Johns Castle, will miss this years renewal after suffering a training setback. He suffered an overreach and the injury will not heal in time for next weeks contest.
Cheltenham Gold Cup sixth, Roll Alon, is also set to miss the big race and will most likely be aimed at Punchestown instead.
Current top weight Snoopy Loopy has also been scratched from the race, which will result in at least a two pound rise in the weights at the five day stage next Monday.
On the jockey front Paul Carberry who suffered internal injuries in an horrific fall at Cheltenham will miss the Aintree Festival.
23rd March
Graham Lee is to ride Kilbeggan Blade in the Grand National.
22nd March
Venetia Williams Stan may by-pass the Grand National and head for the Grand Nakayama Jump in Japan instead.
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Jockey Seamus Durack will miss Grand National day after picking up a 12 day ban for missing the water jump at Stratford.
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A spate of heavt betting has seen the prices of several leading fancies for the Grand National being cut. Amongst them is last years winner Comply Or Die (16's from 20's), Character Building (12's from 14's), Big Fella Thanks (14's from 16's) as well as Southern Vic and State Of Play (both 16's from 20's)
21st March
Trainer Paul Nicholls, speaking on Racing UK, has strongly suggested the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up will run in the totesport Bowl at Aintree.
18th March
Snoopy Loopy now heads the weights after 88 runners remain for the John Smith's Grand National at the latest forfeit stage.
Peter Bowen's charge will now carry 11st 10lb following the defections of Madison du Berlais and Exotic Dancer.
Other withdrawals include Star De Mohaison and Notre Pere.
My Will, fith in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is one of five entries for Paul Nicholls, who hss still to win the Aintree feature. His other entries are Nozic, Eurotrek, Big Fella Thanks and Cornish Sett.
Last year's winner Comply Or Die, Cheltenham winner Character Building and AP McCoy's expected mount Butler's Cabin are still amongst the entries.
Black Apalachi, 2006 Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition and King Johns Castle head the Irish challenge.
17th March
Top weiight Exotic Dancer and Star De Mohaison will both be taken out of the John Smith's Grand National at Tuesday's latest forfeit stage.
As a result it is inevitable the weights will rise following Exotic Dancer's defection.
Exotic Dancer will head for the totesport Bowl, which he won two years ago.
Star De Mohaison may also go for the totesport Bowl, although the John Smith's Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong is also an option.
The Scottish National is also an option for Star De Mohaison.
16th March
Simon, who was disappointing when pulled up in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham, will miss the Grand National after connections announce he will not run again this season.
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The 2007 Grand National winner Silver Birch is said to be "on course" to compete in this years contest. The ten-year-old made his first apperaance under rules at Navan over the weekend, having been out of action following a leg injury.
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Miko de Beauchene is by-pass the Aintree Grand National and will, instead, be aimed at the Coral Scottish Grand National on 18th April.
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Following his seasonal return at Naas on Saturday last year's runner-up, King Johns Castle, is on track to return to Aintree on April 4th.
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Notre Pere, winner of the Coral Welsh National is to miss the Aintree National.
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Impressive Cheltenham winner Imperial Commander is likely to run at Aintree but in either the Melling or Totesport chase as opposed to the National.
28th February
Cloudy Lane's preparation for the Grand National suffered a setback when he was a first fence faller at Kelso.
Cloudy Lane's trainer Donald McCain was understandably deflated after his charge's early departure, adding: "It is disappointing, but he has come back as bright as a button so we will take him home and see what he is like tomorrow.
"Aintree is still the plan, at least it is better it happened here than at Aintree."
At Newbury Darkness won the Veteran's Chase and will go the the National.
26th February
Following the first scratchings stage Exotic Dancer remains at the top of the weights as 106 runners remain in the John Smith's Grand National.
Amongst the are withdrawals include last year's Gold Cup winner Denman, Air Force One, Cane Brake and Endless Power, who died last week.
Irish trainer Mouse Morris has warned punters that Hear The Echo, winner of last years Irish National, may not run because of the weight he has been allocated by Phil Smith, the handicapper.
10th February
The weights for the 2009 John Smith's Grand National have been published.
With the defection of ante-post favourite Denman the BHA handicapper, Phil Smith, has allocated the top weight of 11-10 to Exotic Dancer, winner of the Lexus at Leopardstown last time out.
The conqueror of Denman last weekend, Madison Du Berlais, has been given 11-8.
Last year's winner Comply Or Die has been given 10-12, 3lbs more than he carried last year, whilst the 2007 winner Silver Birch carries 10-6, the same weight he carried to victory.
Recent course winners Black Apalachi and Endless Power have been allocated 10-11 and 10-3 respectively.
61 of the 120 entries are in the handicap for the £900,000 event which will be staged at Aintree on 4th April.
For the full weights please click the "National Weights" box on the left.
9th February
Ante-post favourite Denman has been withdrawn from the Grand National following his disappointing performance at Kempton on Saturday.
Trainer Paul Nicholls says he will be aimed, solely, at defending his Cheltenham title.