towards rear, struggling when fell 22nd (Bechers Brook)
held up in touch, outpaced after 24th (Canal Turn), weakened 4 out, left remote 4th last
towards rear, brought down 6th (Bechers Brook)
in touch, blundered badly 8th (Canal Turn), reminder after 12th, ridden 17th, fell next
towards rear, hampered 6th (Bechers Brook),outpaced halfway
towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 6th (Becher's Brook)
held up in rear, outpaced halfway, jumped badly right 25th (Valentines), soon tailed off
towards rear, badly hampered and brought down 6th (Bechers Brook)
led 1st to 9th, remained close up, mistake 15th, weakening when mistake 20th, hampered and pulled up before 25th (Valentines)
tracked leaders, blundered badly and unseated rider 19th
mid-division, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
close up, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and held when fell last
in touch, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, blundered badly and unseated rider 15th (The Chair)
towards rear, outpaced halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
towards rear, steady headway from 19th, went 4th 4 out, staying on when left 3rd last, stayed on strongly run in to lead final 75 yards
towards rear, outpaced halfway
in touch until refused 6th (Bechers Brook)
tracked leaders, pushed along after 15th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 20th
in touch, fell 4th
soon behind, outpaced halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 17th,behind when blundered and unseated rider 23rd (Foinavon)
mid-division, hampered and lost place Bechers Brook, behind when pulled up before 9th
held up towards rear, headway 17th to track leaders, blundered and rider lost whip 26th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, mistake last, headed final 75 yards, no extra
soon pushed along towards rear, outpaced halfway, stayed on one pace from 3 out, no impression
in touch, fell 6th (Bechers Brook)
towards rear, outpaced and hampered 22nd (Bechers Brook)
mid-division, headway and in touch 21st, pushed along 26th, ridden and weakened after next
held up in touch, mistake 22nd, blundered 26th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance run in, no extra towards finish
towards rear, blundered badly 6th (Bechers Brook), soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
in touch, refused 6th (Bechers Brook)
mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 6th (Bechers Brook)
in touch, mistake and lost place 9th, blundered 11th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-divsion, outpaced halfway
mid-division,hampered and fell 6th (Becher's Brook)
The Grand National was never a lucky race for Jonjo O'Neill in his riding days, but his time may finally have arrived, as he sends out Clan Royal with a leading chance in the world's greatest steeplechase. Other well-touted runners include Jurancon II, Hedgehunter, Bindaree, David's Lad and Bear On Board, with Amberleigh House and What's Up Boys not to be ruled out either. There has been plenty of money this week for both of Jonjo's runners, Joss Naylor and Clan Royal, with the latter much preferred as he is unbeaten in two outings over the famous Aintree fences. Having proved that he can jump when landing last year's Topham, he went on to beat Amberleigh House narrowly in the Becher Chase in November and has been aimed at the National ever since. He goes well fresh, so although his stamina has to be taken on trust, the nine-year-old is expected to stay every yard as Liam Cooper holds him up help conserve enough energy for the long run-in. Apart from Bear On Board who carries 10st 1lb, Clan Royal carries least weight of all the fancied contenders and it is hard to crab his form round this unique course. One or two good judges fancy Bear On Board to run a big race but his trainer Alan King has expressed doubts about him having the class to win, and that is enough to put us off, although he does stay at least four miles. Jurancon II looked just the type for Aintree when taking the Summer National at Uttoxeter in June and bids to give Martin Pipe his second success in the race. He handles any ground, looked the part when scoring at Haydock in February and is probably better handicapped than he should be. He will be a popular choice to give champion jockey Tony McCoy a first winning ride in the big race and is one for the short-list. Hedgehunter advertised his claims when successful in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park and is a sound stayer, but strictly at the weights is held on Welsh National form by Bindaree. The latter has been more and more popular this week, as Nigel Twiston-Davies and Carl Llewellyn have both been making bullish noises about the 2002 hero who is 11b higher now. He got round last year in sixth, and the form of his Welsh National win could hardly have been better advertised by runner-up Sir Rembrandt's effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Add to that the fact that he has had a much lighter preparation, and Bindaree should make a bold bid to gain a second National. If you fancy him though, then you must also not rule out What's Up Boys, second two years ago and who is better off at the weights after that titanic struggle. The 2001 Hennessey winner has had injury problems but that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as Philip Hobbs will have a fresh horse to go to war with. David's Lad was going as well as anything in Bindaree's National until coming to grief four out, and having missed last year due to suspension is another that will line up fresher than most. Things have not gone entirely to plan for the Irish raider but he is a classy stayer and will have a top pilot in the shape of Timmy Murphy. Space forbids us from running the rule over too many more, but last year's winner Monty's Pass, like Bindaree will be bidding to become the first horse since Red Rum to win more than one National. The latter's trainer Ginger McCain reckons that Amberleigh House will be there at the finish, and he may well be, but his Becher Chase conqueror Clan Royal can foil him and the rest to take the spoils.
