racingbetter.co.uk %ALT_TXT%%
Aintree Grand National - 14th April 2012 

home Grand National Home

Grand National 2011

Grand National 2010

past winners

office sweepstake

AutoUpdating 160x600 Gif

Bet £20, Get £20 - BETDAQ

Get free daily horse racing tips from the experts from Free Racing Tips

grand national 2012 /

 

Synchronised Heads Grand National Weights
14/02/12

Outstanding Grade One Lexus Chase winner Synchronised, owned by J P McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill, has been allotted top-weight of 11st 10lb for this year's John Smith's Grand National, which takes place over four and a half miles and 30 fences at Aintree on Saturday, April 14.

Synchronised
© Grossick Racing Photography

Synchronised

The weights were revealed today for Jump racing's most famous event at the official John Smith's Grand National Launch in London and the competitiveness of this year's race is illustrated by the fact that 69 of the 82 entries (84 per cent) are in the handicap.

The John Smith's Grand National, which has record prize money of £975,000 this year, is the only race of the year for which the weights are specially framed by the British Horseracing Authority's Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith.

Ballabriggs, who carried 11st to victory in 2011 for owner Trevor Hemmings, trainer Donald McCain and jockey Jason Maguire, is second in the weights with 11st 9lb this year. Synchonised and Ballabriggs are the joint 16/1 second favourites with Betfred, the betting partner of the John Smith's Grand National meeting.

Mon Mome, who sprang a 100/1 surprise in the 2009 John Smith's Grand National, is the other past winner among the entries. He carried 11st when winning three years ago, 11st 7lb when falling at the 26th in 2010 and this year has been given 10st 8lb (40/1 Betfred).

Irish-trained raiders have a tremendous recent record in the John Smith's Grand National, winning six of the last 13 runnings, and they have strength in numbers this year, accounting for 31 entries. An Irish-trained winner is priced at 11/4 by Betfred.

Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins, successful in the 2005 John Smith's Grand National with Hemmings' first winner Hedgehunter, accounts for no less than 12 of those 31 and among his leading contenders are 20/1 chance Quel Esprit, who has a weight of 11st 7lb following his victory in the Grade One Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Stablemate On His Own (20/1), winner of the Thyestes Chase for owners Graham and Andrea Wylie, has 10st 11lb, while Blazing Tempo (40/1), the only mare entered, will have to overcome 11st 4lb after winning the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on January 22. Apt Approach (25/1) has 11st 1lb on the back of his Grade Two Kinloch Brae Chase victory last month, while Scotsirish (11st 2lb & 50/1) and Prince De Beauchene (10st 6lb & 20/1) are two others of Mullins' formidable dozen.

Midnight Chase
© Grossick Racing Photography

Midnight Chase
Many of the leading contenders in Betfred's betting are set to carry 11 stone or above including Weird Al (11st 8lb & 33/1), the stable companion of Ballabriggs who captured the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, and Midnight Chase (11st 8lb & 20/1), owned by Lady Clarke and trained by Neil Mulholland, who was successful in the Grade Two Argento Chase at Cheltenham last month.

The David Pipe-trained Junior, the 14/1 market leader with Betfred, failed to get in the field last year but has a certain place in 2012 with 11st 2lb.

The Henrietta Knight-trained Calgary Bay (25/1), winner of the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last month, has been given 11st 6lb, while the runner-up that day, Shakalakaboomboom (25/1), has 10st 12lb as he bids to give trainer Nicky Henderson a first victory in the John Smith's Grand National. Henderson also has the lightly-raced Burton Port (11st 7lb & 25/1), another owned by Hemmings, and Quantitativeeasing (11st 2lb & 33/1) for McManus.

Hold On Julio
© Racehorse Photos

Hold On Julio
The rapidly-improving Hold On Julio (25/1), who has won both his starts for trainer Alan King, has been given 10st 7lb, while his stablemate West End Rocker (20/1), winner of the Betfred Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on December 3, has a weight of 10st 12lb.

High-class hunter-chaser Roulez Cool (25/1), owned, trained and bred by Robert Waley-Cohen and ridden by his son Sam, who finished second on Oscar Time last year, has been allotted 10st 5lb.

Evan Williams has strong representation with his three entries, led by State Of Play (10st 3lb & 33/1) who has run in the John Smith's Grand National for the last three years and finished fourth, third and fourth. His owners, Angela and William Rucker, also have the fancied Cappa Bleu (10st 10lb & 25/1), while the Welsh trainer's third possible representative is Deep Purple (11st 3lb & 25/1).

Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse, commented: "It is tremendous to see 69 of the 82 entries in the handicap and the 2012 renewal of the John Smith's Grand National promises to be a race full of quality on Saturday, April 14, with a higher percentage of horses rated over 135 than ever before."

The two scratchings deadlines for the 2012 John Smith's Grand National are on February 28 and March 20, with the five-day confirmation stage on April 9.

The final declaration stage is at 10am on April 12 when there can be a maximum field of 40 runners, with the provision for up to four reserves.

 

THE 2012 JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL WEIGHTS

Class 1, Grade 3, £975,000 total prize fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 14, 2012, four miles and four furlongs. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, up to and including March 20, 2012, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase of three miles or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 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 12, 2012. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 12 would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 12, 2012. At the handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. The British Horseracing Authority has modified Rule (F)42.2.1 for the purposes of this race, such that racecourse performances up to and including Sunday, February 12, may be taken into account. A novice horse shall only be qualified to run in this race if it has run a minimum of three times in chases in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with Rule (F)42.5. Highest weight 11st 10lb - no penalties after publication of the weights. Entries closed January 31, entries revealed February 1 (82 entries), weights revealed February 14, first scratchings deadline February 28, second scratchings deadline March 20. Five-day confirmation stage April 9, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 12. Maximum field size of 40, plus four reserves. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, February 13.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

1) 13-P031 SYNCHRONISED (IRE) 9-11-10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

2) 11/1121- BALLABRIGGS (IRE) 11-11-09 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain

3) 115-F31 MIDNIGHT CHASE 10-11-08 Lady Clarke Neil Mulholland

4) 1/10P-13 WEIRD AL (IRE) 9-11-08 Brannon, Dennis, Dick, Holden Donald McCain

5) 11121/2- BURTON PORT (IRE) 8-11-07 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson

6) FF-B111 QUEL ESPRIT (FR) 8-11-07 Red Barn Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

7) 2F-0511 CALGARY BAY (IRE) 9-11-06 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight

8) 106-P42 NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) 11-11-06 John Hales Paul Nicholls

9) F-6041U ALFA BEAT (IRE) 8-11-05 Irvin Naylor John Hanlon IRE

10) F01/35-2 PLANET OF SOUND 10-11-05 Charles Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs

11) 143111 BLAZING TEMPO (IRE) 8-11-04 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

12) 1U30432 ROBERTO GOLDBACK (IRE) 10-11-04 Seamus Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE

13) 51U/022/- BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 13-11-03 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE

14) 6/3U34-1 DEEP PURPLE 11-11-03 Paul Green Evan Williams

15) 131/321- JUNIOR 9-11-02 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe

16) 112-021 QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 7-11-02 J P McManus Nicky Henderson

17) 3631441 SCOTSIRISH (IRE) 11-11-02 Double R Stables Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

18) 04-5060 TARTAK (FR) 9-11-02 Power Panels Electrical Tim Vaughan

19) 2-FU111 APT APPROACH (IRE) 9-11-01 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

20) 6/1155-6 LITTLE JOSH (IRE) 10-11-01 Tony Bloom Nigel Twiston-Davies

21) 0F2224 PSYCHO (IRE) 11-11-00 Exors of the late C McClure Tony Martin IRE

22) 10-U303 CHICAGO GREY (IRE) 9-10-13 John Earls Gordon Elliott IRE

23) 3100-01 TATENEN (FR) 8-10-13 The Stewart Family Richard Rowe

24) 22-3011 ACCORDING TO PETE 11-10-12 Peter Nelson Malcolm Jefferson

25) F11/-111 SEABASS (IRE) 9-10-12 Gunners Syndicate Ted Walsh IRE

26) 000-112 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM (IRE) 8-10-12 Liam Breslin Nicky Henderson

27) 11PB-P1 WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 10-10-12 Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King

28) 1P-1323 HECTOR'S CHOICE (FR) 8-10-11 James and Jean Potter Richard Lee

29) 235/3/1-P MASSINI'S MAGUIRE (IRE) 11-10-11 Alan Peterson David Pipe

30) 14P1-B1 ON HIS OWN (IRE) 8-10-11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

31) 2113-1P ALWAYS RIGHT (IRE) 10-10-10 John Wade John Wade

32) 3F2P/-13 CAPPA BLEU (IRE) 10-10-10 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams

33) 5U-P20P CRESCENT ISLAND (IRE) 9-10-09 Sarah Bays Jill Scott Sarah MacEchern Nigel Twiston-Davies

34) PU-3450 RARE BOB (IRE) 10-10-09 D A Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE

35) 63F/-52P MON MOME (FR) 12-10-08 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

36) 12-133F ORGANISEDCONFUSION (IRE) 7-10-08 Grace Dunlop Arthur Moore IRE

37) 3/216-B43 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) 11-10-08 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

38) P/P-51423 TREACLE (IRE) 11-10-08 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE

39) 0P2F-60 ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 10-10-07 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

40) 3/5P-2304 COOLDINE (IRE) 10-10-07 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE

41) PP//1-11 HOLD ON JULIO (IRE) 9-10-07 Mr & Mrs F Bell, N Farrell, A Marsh Alan King

42) 2130-F2 PEARLYSTEPS 9-10-06 The Glazeley Partnership Henry Daly

43) U5351-5 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 9-10-06 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

44) F505-02 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 11-10-05 Graham Regan Paul Nicholls

45) //U1/2B/1- ROULEZ COOL 9-10-05 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen

46) P0-5121 STEWARTS HOUSE (IRE) 10-10-05 Double Trouble Partnership Tim Vaughan

47) 03F-30P SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) 9-10-05 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

48) 140310 UNCLE JUNIOR (IRE) 11-10-05 Mrs M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE

49) 4-U2634 FAIR ALONG (GER) 10-10-04 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs

50) F-03034 KILLYGLEN (IRE) 10-10-04 David McCammon Stuart Crawford IRE

51) 2F-4010 QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) 8-10-04 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE

52) 4-P1300 THARAWAAT (IRE) 7-10-04 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

53) 041-044 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 11-10-03 Mr & Mrs Peter Douglas Peter Bowen

54) 42F-63F BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 9-10-03 Noel Glynn Noel Glynn IRE

55) P-0P011 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 9-10-03 Glass Half Full Richard Lee

56) 144/P3/4- STATE OF PLAY 12-10-03 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams

57) 2313P2 SWING BILL (FR) 11-10-03 David Johnson David Pipe

58) FP-2661 POSTMASTER 10-10-02 The Bill & Ben Partnership Tim Vaughan

59) 30/-003P SHAKERVILZ (FR) 9-10-02 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE

60) 312U5/5- THE PACKAGE 9-10-02 David Johnson David Pipe

61) 1P-6P60 WYMOTT (IRE) 8-10-02 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain

62) P/5000-P BACKSTAGE (FR) 10-10-01 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE

63) 3/P22-12 GILES CROSS (IRE) 10-10-01 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall

64) PP-5U65 HELLO BUD (IRE) 14-10-00 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies

65) 431U0-P IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 12-10-00 Dessie Hughes Dessie Hughes IRE

66) 21/10P-1 MIDNIGHT HAZE 10-10-00 Kim Bailey Racing Partnership Kim Bailey

67) 500423-F NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-00 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

68) 0044B-20 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 12-10-00 Seamus Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE

69) 00-143P VIKING BLOND (FR) 7-10-00 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

70) R-120U3 QHILIMAR (FR) 8-9-13 Whites of Coventry & Stephen Dunn Charlie Longsdon

71) PP24U6 SOME TARGET (IRE) 8-9-10 Captain Conflict Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

72) 0-31504 NEPTUNE EQUESTER 9-9-09 Koo's Racing Club Brian Ellison

73) 32-3P40 ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 9-9-08 Cash Is King Martin Keighley

74) 0-42026 OUR ISLAND (IRE) 7-9-07 David Fox Tim Vaughan

75) 11PPP0 SCHINDLER'S GOLD (IRE) 10-9-07 Dr Richard & Laura Newland Dr Richard Newland

76) 31P/-FP3 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE) 11-9-05 Sue Johnson George Bewley

77) 660-P42 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 10-9-05 Billy Moffett, R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE

78) 05-34106 SMOKING ACES (IRE) 8-9-05 J P McManus Tom Taaffe IRE

79) 50-PP0F KING FONTAINE (IRE) 9-9-04 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson

80) 6-12026 ANOTHER PALM (IRE) 7-9-03 M J M Racing Syndicate Noel Meade IRE

81) 12-20P3 BALLYVESEY (IRE) 7-9-02 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen

82) 0P3-5U2 MINELLA THEATRE (IRE) 9-9-00 Middleham Park Racing XXIV & Dan Gilbert Lawney Hill

82 entries

31 Irish-trained

 

tumpline internet home | associations | bloodstock agents | bookmakers | links | information | jockeys | portals | racecourses | race horse trainers | sales | studs | syndicates | submit site
© racingbetter.co.uk • 33 Moorhouse Road • Carlisle • CA2 7LU