No. |
Colours |
Form |
Horse |
|
|
Age |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Rating |
| 7 |
 |
1U11-11 |
Kauto Star |
4/6 |
 |
10 |
P F Nicholls |
R Walsh |
195 |
| Kauto Star A thirteen-time Grade 1 winner, incorporating two Gold Cups, and put simply the best chaser of the past forty years. Faultless run around here twelve months ago levelled the score with stablemate Denman, but unbelievably surpassed even that performance when producing a quite stunning display to land fourth straight King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. Supremely accurate jumper and, if he is on song—and there have been few more genuine and reliable horses in the history of the sport—he will be virtually impossible to beat. |
| 5 |
 |
1/22F-1U |
Denman |
5/1 |
|
10 |
P F Nicholls |
A P McCoy |
182 |
| Denman A leviathan of the modern era, as much for his pair of Hennessy triumphs as his Gold Cup defeat of Kauto Star two years ago. Latest success at Newbury, from a BHA mark of 174 no less, was notably significant as it marked him out as being better than ever after enduring a frustrating 2008/9 before another setback came his way last month, looking beaten when unseating first-time partner McCoy three out in the Aon. Sure to be primed for this day a whole lot more than that one and bottom line is that, by clear water, his form marks him out as the second best horse in the race. |
| 6 |
 |
161-P25 |
Imperial Commander |
7/1 |
|
9 |
N A Twiston-Davies |
P J Brennan |
174 |
| Imperial Commander Injury ended a highly promising novice season, but bounced back in no uncertain manner with twin successes at this track in 2008/9, namely in Paddy Power and Ryanair, and showcased his right to be taking on the top three milers when going down by a whisker to Kauto Star in Betfair Chase on return. Beaten over a furlong by that rival in the King George when early mistakes cost him dear and even the merest repetition will soon see him found out once again. |
| 4 |
 |
311-4P2 |
Cooldine |
10/1 |
|
8 |
W P Mullins |
Paul Townend |
160 |
| Cooldine Top-notch novice last term, posting a performance on a par with Looks Like Trouble and Denman (both subsequent Gold Cup winners) in winning RSA Chase here last year. Things not really gone to script since, however, turned over at Punchestown following month and reported to have coughed when running abysmally in Lexus on his return. That said, he comes here on a high having bounced back to his very best when second to Joncol in Irish Hennessy last month and sure to be popular in the market without the ‘big two’. |
| 11 |
 |
2121-21 |
Tricky Trickster |
14/1 |
|
7 |
P F Nicholls |
B J Geraghty |
149 |
| Tricky TricksterWon four-miler at the Festival twelve months ago on what was just his fourth start over fences. Thereafter acquired with the explicit intent of winning this year’s Grand National. Narrowly got up in Aon at Newbury last month, though remains likely he’s yet to show all of which he’s capable. No surprise to see him pushing for a top-five finish. |
| 1 |
 |
204-P01 |
Calgary Bay |
66/1 |
|
7 |
Miss H C Knight |
G Lee |
153 |
| Real chasing type who didn't fulfil initial promise as a novice but got right back on track upped to 3m at Doncaster in December, jumping well and scoring easily. Worthy of consideration. |
| 2 |
 |
114-512 |
Carruthers |
66/1 |
|
7 |
M Bradstock |
Matthew Batchelor |
155 |
| Carruthers Front runner who is clearly most at home under testing conditions. Won small-field graduation event at Newbury over Christmas, but couldn’t cope with a revitalised Taranis at Cheltenham next time, essentially ending his Gold Cup ambitions at a stroke. |
| 8 |
 |
01-P346 |
Mon Mome |
100/1 |
|
10 |
Miss V Williams |
A Coleman |
153 |
| Mon Mome Moment in the sun came when winning last season’s Grand National and repeat bid presumably been principal objective this term, not showing enough when sixth at Haydock last month to suggest he’s up to improving on that position in this company. |
| 10 |
 |
553-205 |
My Will |
100/1 |
|
10 |
P F Nicholls |
Nick Scholfield |
150 |
| My Will Spent most of his career in the shadow of more illustrious stablemates, three of whom finished ahead of him when he was fifth in this contest last season. Lacklustre display in calmer waters when last seen in December and bit to prove now. |
| 3 |
 |
50PP/05- |
Cerium |
500/1 |
|
9 |
Paul Murphy |
D N Russell |
133 |
| One-time smart chaser for Paul Nicholls but firmly on downgrade nowadays and yet another unrealistic Grand National runner for eccentric owner. |
| 9 |
|
6P/6220- |
Mr Pointment |
500/1 |
|
11 |
Paul Murphy |
K Whelan |
141 |
| Lightly-raced staying chaser who impressed when winning Becher Chase over these fences in 2007/8. Often finds little, though, and overlooked even if he's presumably been laid out for this. |
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