Guide to Grand National Runners 2012

Grand National 2012 - Time 4.15 pm Saturday 9th April 2012 - Enjoy our free guide of Grand National Runners
	The final declared Grand National runners and riders have been confirmed for Saturday's John Smiths Grand National at Aintree. Check the form and odds of the list of horses in the grand national 2012. Bet on the UK Grand National favourites Big Fella Thanks 8/1 Claim Free Grand National Bets

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No.	Colours	Form	Grand National Horses	Sort by Odds	BET	Age	Weights	Trainers	Jockeys	Rate
1		6-0431F	Cloudy Lane	40/1		9	11-10	D McCain Jnr	J M Maguire	158
The name McCain is synonymous with the National after the legendary exploits of triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s and Amberleigh House in 2004 for trainer Ginger McCain. His son, Donald, is represented by Cloudy Lane, who finished a creditable sixth last year when starting joint-favourite. His window may have passed, though, because he has to compete off a 17lb higher mark this time. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
2		U1F234	Chelsea Harbour (IRE)	66/1		9	11-8	Thomas Mullins	Emmet Mullins	148
Was in contention for fair way last year but errors took their toll and he faded to finish a well-beaten ninth. His jumping technique remains a problem and, even if putting in a clear round, he will have to contend with a rating that is 10lb higher than 12 months ago. Prospect of good going is another negative. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
3		32-56F2	Snowy Morning (IRE)	28/1		9	11-8	W P Mullins	A J Mcnamara	145
Willie Mullins trained an Aintree natural in Hedgehunter and this fellow picked up the baton from him when finishing a close third to Comply Or Die in the National last year. Not been at his best in four races this term and 11lb higher than last year, but did offer more encouragement when chasing home Black Apalachi in a grade two chase at Fairyhouse last time. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
4		6UP-100	Knowhere (IRE)	50/1		11	11-7	N A Twiston-Davies	P J Brennan	155
Been a good servant to his connections over the years but has always been inclined to make the odd blunder, so hardly a surprise that he has unseated his rider in the past two renewals of this race. Was threatening to get in the picture when exiting at Valentines (the 25th) 12 months ago, though, and his reappearance win in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree makes for solid reading. Well held in the Gold Cup latest but there will be worse outsiders and dodgy jumpers (Maori Venture and Red Marauder spring to mind) have won the National in the past. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
5		211-P00	Comply Or Die (IRE)	12/1		10	11-6	D Pipe	T J Murphy	151
Did Betting Blog followers a big favour last year, when our punt on him winning the National at 149-1 (before he triumphed in the Eider Chase at Newcastle) was handsomely rewarded. Travelled and jumped well when enjoying his finest hour, although it should be remembered that he was officially 11lb well in as he had no penalty to carry for his success in the Eider. The handicapper has made life tougher for him this time - he will run off a mark of 154 compared to 139 last year - and no horse has won two Nationals since the mighty Red Rum. Ran poorly in his first two races this term but, with blinkers back on, offered more when seventh at Cheltenham last time. The suspicion, though, is that he has already enjoyed his day in the sun. Rating 7/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
6		255550	Ollie Magern	100/1		11	11-6	N A Twiston-Davies	Mr S Waley-Cohen	151
Prolific winner early in his career but pattern these days is a never-say-die return at Wetherby followed by a series of surrenders. That is again being adhered too. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
7		51P01P	Stan	100/1		10	11-5	Miss Venetia Williams	A Coleman	154
Strong traveller who put up a career-best when winning at Cheltenham in January. Handicapped up the hilt now, though, and unproven beyond three miles. Look elsewhere. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
8		F2-P151	Black Apalachi (IRE)	14/1		10	11-5	D T Hughes	Denis O'regan	138
Suffered an X-rated fall at the second fence in last year's race but, unperturbed, returned to Aintree in November to gain a runaway success in the Becher Chase. However, it was a steadily-run renewal because of bottomless going and exactly what he achieved is open to question. The handicapper's response is to invite him to run off a 15lb higher mark and that looks harsh, even allowing for a similarly wide-margin success (again on very deep ground) at Fairyhouse on his latest start. Relishes sapping going but underfoot conditions unlikely to be testing. Rating 7/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
9		01-556U	Hear The Echo (IRE)	14/1		8	11-5	M F Morris	D N Russell	149
Overcame stamina doubts and being 7lb out of the handicap when a decisive winner of the Irish Grand National last spring. The manner in which he stayed on that day lends encouragement to the idea that he will stay the trip and the form has a glow because Notre Pere, who was a well-held third, has subsequently won the Coral Welsh National. Hear The Echo has been allotted a stiffish mark, though, and made an inauspicious return to chasing at Gowran Park - unseating his rider late on when held. Rating 7/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
10		40-0F10	Preists Leap (IRE)	100/1		9	11-5	T O'Leary	P T Enright	146
Genuine soft-ground performer who won the Thystes Chase at 20-1 last season and then, after a string of average efforts, repeated the trick at the same price in February. Now figures on a career-high mark, though, and likely to struggle (as he did at Naas last time) unless course officials forget to turn taps off when they water the course. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
11		2023/55	My Will (FR)	8/1		9	11-4	P F Nicholls	Ruby Walsh	160
Wonderfully consistent stayer who has bounced back well from injury. Kept on when an honourable fifth to Kauto Star in the Gold Cup last time, having filled the same position in the Hennessy on his return. Clearly retains plenty of ability and, with the handicapper showing him some leniency during his time on the sidelines, he figures off a favourable mark (would be 8lb higher if the handicapper were allowed to reframe the weights). Ruby Walsh, a dual National winner, opting to ride him is also a tip in itself. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
12		411P1P/	Eurotrek (IRE)	100/1		13	11-3	P F Nicholls	S Thomas	151
You have to take a big leap of faith (or a couple of glasses of something with a little potency) to give this fragile customer a second look because he's 13 years old and has not run since being pulled up in the 2007 National. It's hardly an ideal combination but Eurotrek reminds me of a vintage car - one that is lovingly polished every afternoon and saved for sunny days. No surprise if the engine that enabled him to win the Becher Chase (over the National fences) in 2006 is still intact and Paul Nicholls, his trainer, would not be running him unless he felt there was a chance that his wheels would stay on. Has had only a dozen races in his career and, as he usually goes so well when fresh, is an outsider to consider. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
13		2560-14	State of Play	12/1		9	11-2	Evan Williams	Paul Moloney	150
Warrants a second look because he goes well fresh, enjoys flat tracks (has won over the Mildmay course at Aintree in the past) and figures on a favourable mark, being only 5lb higher than when landing the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase at Newbury the season before last. His comeback win in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby shows that he retains a fighting spirit, plus he seems effective on any ground. Stamina could be a downfall, although he kept on well enough when winning the Hennessy on testing going. Rating 7/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
14		322U13	Big Fella Thanks	20/1		7	11-1	P F Nicholls	Christian Williams	150
There has been quite an ante-post plunge on this novice, named after the greyhound who won the 1999 Coursing Derby at Clonmel. There is nothing skinny or quick about the equine version, who enjoyed an emphatic success in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January followed by a staying-on third in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton. On the minus side, he is a horse of limited experience who has shown a touch of waywardness, being tried in blinkers on one occasion. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
15		218278	Mon Mome	100/1		9	11-0		L Treadwell	145
Trailed home a well-beaten tenth in last year's renewal and his prospects of doing much better this time, off a 7lb higher mark, seem remote. Was right back to his best when edging out Star De Mohaison (pair clear) at Cheltenham in November but subsequent efforts have been disappointing, including when tailed off in the Midlands National latest. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
16		02421/0	Silver Birch (IRE)	50/1		12	11-0	Gordon Elliott	R M Power	148
Something of a fairytale winner for his young trainer in 2007, as it seemed beforehand that his best days - when winning the Becher Chase and Welsh National for Paul Nicholls in 2004 - were behind him. Injury has restricted him since, though, and not easy to gauge how much ability he retains. You need to take a leap of faith to believe he can win a second National given his age and training problems, especially off a mark 10lb higher than last time. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
17		3F-0005	Butler's Cabin (FR)	9/1		9	10-13	Jonjo O'Neill	A P McCoy Tony McCoy	134
Owned by legendary gambler J.P. McManus, who employs Tony McCoy as his jockey. Could he be the horse to end the champion jockey's hoodoo in the race? Was tanking along up with the leaders when landing a bit too steep and falling at Becher's second time round in last year's National. Too far out (nine fences from home) to say exactly where he would have finished but his in-running price had shrunk to 2.22 (around 5-4) on Betfair and it would not have been hard to imagine him being involved in the finish because his exploits the previous season had included victories in the marathon National Hunt Chase and Irish Grand National. Has been kept ticking over this campaign and should be spot on after finishing close fifth to Character Building at Cheltenham last time. The handicapper has allowed him to compete off the same mark as last year, so he gets a hefty pull in the weights with the horses who went on to fight out the finish. Prefers goodish going. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
18		111/U2-2	Offshore Account (IRE)	33/1		9	10-13	C F Swan	D J Casey	149
A modest hurdler but has won four of his six starts over fences, showing useful form - not surprising given his relatives include The Listener, Fork Lightning and Risk Of Thunder. Did not see a racecourse in 2008 but made an encouraging return over hurdles at Navan (Silver Birch well adrift). However, he is short of experience and stamina is also an unknown. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
19		23/54-1P	Parsons Legacy (IRE)	16/1		11	10-12	P J Hobbs	R Johnson	146
A smart performer when he is fresh and has decent going/a distance of ground to cover. Ignore his below-par run on soft ground last time and, instead, concentrate on his previous game success at Cheltenham, where such as Joe Lively (subsequently scooped a big prize back at Prestbury Park) were among the support cast. Was not winning out of turn on that occasion - has twice gone close to victory in big staying handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival - and has better chance of staying than most, too, to judge by his close third to Hot Weld in the Scottish Grand National the season before last. Interesting. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
20		0612/P0	Reveillez	150/1		10	10-12	Jonjo O'Neill	M P Walsh	142
Impressive winner of a staying handicap chase at this meeting two years ago before splitting Hot Weld and My Will in the Betfred Gold Cup next time. Is only 1lb higher in the ratings but has had problems since and his two below-par efforts this term means that he has plenty to prove. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
21		146P6P	Fundamentalist (IRE)	150/1		11	10-11	N A Twiston-Davies	David England	142
Won over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2004 and been a good servant to his yard. However, he got no farther than the third in this last year and does not look up to competing at this level any more. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
22		1133/3-0	Golden Flight (FR)	66/1		10	10-11	N J Henderson	B J Geraghty	141
Prolific winner in France in the past but, having been off almost two years, made little impact on his British debut at Cheltenham. All of his 11 career wins have been achieved in the mud. His jockey, Barry Geraghty, has good record in the race but Nicky Henderson, his trainer, does not with his previous runners including six first-fence fallers. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
23		0-14212	L'ami (FR)	25/1		10	10-11	E Bolger	R Thornton	146
Has developed into a useful cross-country performer in the past year but his past two efforts in this race point to him being up against it. Finished tailed off two years ago and then, 12 months ago, suffered a heavy early fall that ended the career of Mick Fitzgerald. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
24		32-245P	Battlecry	50/1		8	10-10	N A Twiston-Davies	T Scudamore	142
Just below the best staying novice chasers last season but has struggled to build on that this campaign and his stamina (has seems best at up to three miles) is also a worry. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
25		00-F120	Cornish Sett (IRE)	25/1		10	10-10	P F Nicholls	Nick Scholfield	144
Beat only three home in last year's National and that was not a big surprise because his resolution, stamina and form all looked big question marks going into the race. It seems a breathing problem was hindering him, though, and, after an operation, he won the Badger Ales Trophy before finishing a staying-on second in the Welsh National. However, well held latest and I'm still not convinced about the horse's resolve. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
26		42-P610	Fleet Street	150/1		10	10-10	N J Henderson	A Tinkler	142
Has some fair form to his name but not the most consistent and stamina also a big issue as he has not won beyond three miles. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
27		222100	Musica Bella (FR)	150/1		9	10-10	F Cottin	P A Carberry	-
Sole French raider has been a real money-spinner for his connections, winning the best part of £500,000. She's never won beyond 2m 6f, though, and others much more appealing. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
28		111314	Can't Buy Time (IRE)	50/1		7	10-9	Jonjo O'Neill	N Fehily	142
Highly progressive profile but betrayed by lack of stamina when fourth in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. Has an extra half-mile to cope with here and that is a big stumbling block. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
29		13P/3P1	Darkness	20/1		10	10-9	C R Egerton	W Hutchinson	151
Owned by Lord Andrew and Lady Madeline Lloyd-Webber. Smart novice despite showing quirks in the 2005/06 season and, after being off almost three years with a tendon injury, has made an encouraging return, although needs plenty more than when landing a veterans' race at Newbury latest. Stays well but jumping still gives cause for concern. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
30		323111	Irish Invader (IRE)	20/1		8	10-9	W P Mullins	P Townend	134
Won a three-mile novice hurdle in his younger days but has flourished over shorter distances since being sent over fences - with his past three wins being gained at up to 2m 2f. Interesting that his excellent trainer seems prepared to gamble on his stamina but it could be a shock to the system. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
31		6-56511	Rambling Minster	10/1		11	10-9	K G Reveley	J Reveley	149
Offers Keith Reveley (trainer) and son James (jockey) the opportunity to pull off a great family act. Sound jumper (has never fallen) and stays well, as he showed when scooping the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock in February. Escapes a penalty for that success and his previous exploits include winning the four-mile Scottish Borders National at Kelso last season. Other bonuses are that he is running from the right end of the weights and that he seems effective on any ground. Definite for the shortlist. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
32		06U343	Southern Vic (IRE)	28/1		10	10-9	T M Walsh	N P Madden	143
Without a win since the autumn of 2006 and made an inauspicious debut over the National fences when unseating his rider at the Canal Turn in the Becher Chase in November. On the plus side, he is fairly handicapped on the pick of his old form and, equipped with blinkers, went with a bit more dash on his latest start. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
33		0P-1112	Kilbeggan Blade	20/1		10	10-7	T R George	G Lee	141
Game winner of the London National at Sandown in December and a 4lb rise looks fair enough because Rambling Minster was among the also-rans that day. The fact that he has not run over fences since then is not a concern and can be forgiven an odds-on defeat over hurdles latest but gut feeling is that he will not be good enough. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
34		124021	Brooklyn Brownie (IRE)	28/1		10	10-6	J M Jefferson	P Kinsella	140
Creditable runner-up in the Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences in November and resumed winning ways at Wetherby on latest start, but never given the impression that a marathon such as this would play to strengths. Rating 5/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
35		P504P0	Himalayan Trail	28/1		10	10-6	James Joseph Mangan	P W Flood	138
Runaway winner of the Midlands Grand National last spring and changed hands for £130,000 afterwards. However, has struggled to make much impact for new connections this term and the handicapper has been slow to ease his rating. Rating 6/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
36		00010-0	Arteea (IRE)	250/1		10	10-5	D Pipe	J W Farrelly	133
Trip, wellbeing and recent form are all negatives. No show in the Kim Muir Chase on his belated return at Cheltenham last month and looks like he is making up the numbers. Rating 8/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
37		P/50PP-0	Cerium (FR)	500/1		8	10-5	Paul Murphy	R McGrath	134
Another who looks to have a mountain to climb. Sold relatively cheaply out of the yard of Paul Nicholls and soon beat a retreat in last month's Gold Cup, albeit he was way out of his depth there. Rating 2/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
38		50-2403	Idle Talk (IRE)	50/1		10	10-5	D McCain Jnr	B Harding	134
Second challenger for the McCain yard but he's not a patch on Red Rum. Trailed home a well-beaten fourteenth last year (did not stay), having unseated his rider in 2007 renewal. Is often a front-runner, though, so one to ponder if the bookmakers bet on who will be the leader over the first fence. Rating 4/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
39		2F6-000	Kelami (FR)	200/1		11	10-5	Mrs L Williamson	D Laverty	138
Overdue a bit of good fortune in this race because he was brought down at the first in 2004, was pulled up in 2007 (choked) and unseated his rider at the eleventh in last year's edition. I'm prepared to forgive and forget, but he has twice run poorly over hurdles this term after leaving Francois Doumen. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide
40		32P5/11	Zabenz (NZ)	100/1		12	10-5	P J Hobbs	T J O'Brien	139
Consistent staying chaser in the past and should be excused pulling up early in 2007 as his leather broke early on. However, has evidently had problems since and, despite winning a point-to-point race last month, surprise if he bounces back to take centre stage. Rating 3/10 FREE Grand National Bets Guide