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| Aintree News 6th - 8th April 2006 |
Monkerhostin Tops The Weights For The 2006 John Smith's Grand National 14/02/06
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Monkerhostin has today been allocated top-weight of 11st 12lb for the 2006 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree by senior BHB NH handicapper, Phil Smith, who uses his discretion rather than official ratings to frame the handicap for this unique race.
The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old is followed in the weights by the first two in last year's John Smith's Grand National, Hedgehunter and Royal Auclair, on 11st 10lb.
This means a rise of 9lb compared to what Hedgehunter carried to victory, with Royal Auclair due to carry the same weight as he shouldered in 2005.
There are 85 horses in the handicap proper (down to and including 10st) out of the 144 allocated a weight (four of the original entries were not qualified), compared to a record 92 last year and the next highest figure of 67 in 2003.
This emphasises the great quality of the 2006 entries for the £700,000 race over four and a half miles and 30 fences on Saturday, April 8, when a maximum of 40 runners can line up.
Native Emperor, one of the four reserves last year, got his chance to run the day before and he was in 75th place in the weights, which gives hope to those horses allocated 10st 2lb and above this year.
Martin Pipe, the champion trainer who entered more horses, 22, than anybody else for the 2006 John Smith's Grand National, has nine within the top 40 in the weights - Therealbandit (11st 7lb), Joaaci (11st 6lb), last year's fourth It Takes Time (11st 6lb), Comply Or Die (11st 2lb), Celtic Son (10st 12lb), Seebald (10st 11lb), Whispered Secret (10st 10lb), Puntal (10st 10lb) and Garde D'Estruval (10st 9lb).
His great rival Paul Nicholls, who is currently leading this season's race for the trainers' championship, is not far behind with six in the top 40 - Royal Auclair, Cornish Rebel (11st 7lb), Le Roi Miguel (11st 5lb), Eurotrek (11st 2lb), Silver Birch (10st 10lb) and Le Duc (10st 8lb).
Hobbs, in addition to Monkerhostin, has another three in the top 40, namely One Knight (11st 7lb), Lacdoudal (11st 3lb) and Double Honour (10st 8lb).
Ginger McCain, the joint most successful trainer in Grand National history with four victories, is set to have two runners - Ebony Light (10st 8lb) and the 2004 winner Amberleigh House (10st 7lb) - and they could be his last as he will probably retire later this year.
Clan Royal, runner-up in 2004 and carried out by a loose horse when in the lead at Becher's second time around in 2005, is the favourite with Betfair, the leading betting exchange, which is an Official Partner at Aintree. He has 10st 8lb in the weights, 3lb less than he carried in 2005.
