fell 1st
mid-division, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, left in lead 25th (Valentines) headed briefly 3 out, strongly pressed approaching 2 out, headed last, soon ridden, not quicken from elbow, held on well for 2nd
badly hampered 1st, behind until pulled up before 19th
mid-division, hampered 10th, headway 11th, blundered 16th (Water) weakened after 26th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, mistake 8th (Canal Turn) pecked 22nd (Beches) never in contention, pulled up after 3 out
in rear until pulled up before 19th
started slowly, behind, badly hampered by loose horse 19th, some headway when jumped right 26th, soon no impression, no chance when refused 4 out
fell 1st
held up in touch, fell 15th (Chair)
mistake and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, lost touch from 20th, tailed off when refused 4 out
prominent, led 15th (Chair) headed 17th, behind from 23rd (Foinavon)
prominent until ridden and weakened quickly 16th (Water) pulled up before 17th (BBV)
chased leaders until fell 5th
prominent until 20th, well behind when unseated rider 23rd (Foinavon)
held up towards rear, headway 15th (Chair) blundered badly 19th, left 2nd 25th (Valentines) led briefly 3 out, every chance approaching last, not quicken approaching elbow, kept on again near finish
mid-division until blundered and unseated rider 8th (Canal Turn)
mid-division, hampered 15th (Chair) fell 22nd (Bechers)
mid-division, hampered 4th, chasing leaders from 25th (Valentines) weakened 4 out
held up in touch, blundered 19th, weakened after 3 out
fell 1st
mid-division, hampered 5th, behind from 12th, pulled up before 23rd
prominent, led 9th, headed 15th (Chair) led 17th, 6 lengths clear and going well when fell 25th (Valentines)
held up towards rear, headway after 16th (Water) close up going well from 26th, weakened between last 2
chased leaders to 12th, behind when mistake 15th (Chair), pulled up before 17th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 17th, went 3rd going well 3 out, led last, stayed on well
mid-division, headway approaching 13th, lost place approaching 17th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 15th (Chair)
held up towards mid-division, effort from 17th, fell 20th
mid-divsion, headway after 11th, went 4th 2 out, chased leading pair approaching elbow, no extra near finish
blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 15th (Chair)
fell 1st
held up towards rear, headway 13th, pecked 16th (Water) close up after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, mistake 7th (Foinavon) ridden 12th, weakened 17th, pulled up before 19th
always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, lost pace 15th (Chair) pulled up before 17th
in touch, fell 4th
led to 9th (Valentines) remained chasing leader until after 13th, weakened approaching 17th, pulled up before 18th
held up towards rear, fell 6th (Beches)
Innox is our selection in the world-famous, Aintree spectacular with Clan Royal, Hedgehunter, Numbersixvalverde, Jack High, Ross Comm and Juveigneur all in with major chances. Gone are the days when it was possible to rule out horses running from out of the handicap and those carrying over 11st; The National is a ferociously competitive staying handicap nowadays and there are plenty of runners to consider. Our selection, Innox, was the classy winner of February's Racing Post Chase. He beat stable-mate L'Ami by two-and-a-half lengths that day and had a host of decent runners behind. He has shown his ability to act on any surface and he looks a thorough stayer. The Francois Doumen-trained ten-year-old was seventh in the great race last year. He was travelling well until the fourth from home but the petrol ran out soon after but he looks a fitter, stronger, better horse this year. It is a slight worry that AP McCoy prefers to ride Clan Royal but Robert Thornton is a more than capable substitute and at more than double the odds of Clan Royal, Innox offers superb value. Hedgehunter was second in last months Gold Cup and was an excellent winner of last years National; he comes here with every chance of following up last years win. However, no horse has saddled top-weight to victory since the mighty Red Rum and against a field of this quality he may struggle to shoulder such a burden over this marathon trip. Clan Royal was carried out by a loose horse at Becher's second time round last year and had finished second in the race behind Amberleigh House in 2004. He loves these fences and was travelling on the bridle when he was carried out last year; he has a great chance at the weights but cannot be backed in a race like this at such short odds. There is also a doubt as to whether he will stay the distance. Numbersixvalverde and Jack High were first and second in last years Irish Grand National. Previous winners, Monty's Pass and Bobbyjo have won at Aintree following success in the Irish equivalent and they have every chance here. Juveigneur represents the in-form Nicky Henderson stable. He was second in the big handicap on the Tuesday of this year's Cheltenham Festival behind the lightly-weighted Dun Doire. That was his best performance in a while but on the basis of that run and his previous form he must have an excellent chance. He jumps for fun and will stay and has Mick Fitzgerald in the saddle. Ross Comm left his ante-post-backers sweating but he has snuck in at the bottom of the weights. He looks a thorough stayer and runs off a featherweight and his chances are respected. Paul Nicholls has six runners in the race and his main chances of winning the Liverpool marathon are Royal Auclair and Cornish Rebel. Cornish Rebel was travelling well in the Gold Cup before blundering away his chances. He looks a bit to high in the weights and jumping mistakes will be heavily punished over the Aintree obstacles. Royal Auclair carried top-weight in this race last year and was a hugely impressive second. He has a lot of weight this year but a similar performance will see him right there at the finish. Martin Pipe's main hope would appear to be It Takes Time. He was fourth in this race last year and gets in with a nice weight again. Celestial Gold was victorious for the Pipe-stable in Thursday's Betfair Bowl and it could be that the Pipe stable are coming back to form, however at decent odds, Innox looks a decent bet to carry the JP McManus colours to glory.
Royal Auclair (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent to 15th, no danger after, 9th of 22, 16l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Hedgehunter (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 15th, ridden 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 22, 2 1/2l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Cornish Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 1st and 11th, headway 13th, not much room approaching 17th, blundered badly 19th, soon eased, 16th of 22, 50l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Therealbandit (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 13th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec beating Take The Stand (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
It Takes Time (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up last, headway from 9th, chased winner after 4 out to approaching next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 28l behind Our Vic (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Le Roi Miguel (FR) 28-1 (10-3) Held up, never on terms, 13th of 24, 24l behind Kadoun (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Native Upmanship (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th and ridden 4 out, moderate 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Beef Or Salmon (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Innox (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Always prominent, led 13th, jumped left from 17th, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, kept on strongly from next, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb beating L'ami (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Silver Birch (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Kilty Storm (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Whispered Secret (GER) 50-1 (11-6) Behind, driven along and blundered 9th, never in contention, 10th of 18, 36l behind Reveillez (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gd in Mar.
Rince Ri (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed 11th, 4th 6 out, ridden and no impression from next, 4th of 9, 27l behind Forget The Past (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Puntal (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent, chased leader 6th until after 9th, ridden approaching 12th, weakened 14th, 8th of 12, well behind Therealbandit (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gd in Dec '04.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) With leader, led 8th to 13th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 18th of 22, well behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Ebony Light (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) In rear, soon driven along, struggling from 11th, blundered 17th, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
First Gold (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden 16th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ossmoses (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Clan Royal (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear and keen, headway 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, hit last, kept on, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar beating Jack Martin (11-5) by 2l, 9 ran.
Le Duc (FR) 5-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake 7th and 14th, some progress 4 out, ridden and held when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Sir Oj (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 12th, struggling next, beaten when fell 4 out in race won by Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Forest Gunner 33-1 (9-11) Chased leaders to 6th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Therealbandit (9-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Joes Edge (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 13th of 22, 37l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Juveigneur (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 13th, ridden approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 21, 2l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Amberleigh House (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 13th of 17, 49l behind Witness Time (11-2) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden 19th, soon weakened, 14th of 22, 44l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Inca Trail (IRE) 5-6fav (12-2) Held up, headway 16th, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly last, kidded along, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Mar beating Happy Hussar (11-7) by a shd, 12 ran.
Garvivonnian (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Prominent, led briefly 8 out, 3rd and driven along 5 out, moderate 2nd after 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Forget The Past (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Numbersixvalverde (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear, reminders 4th, progress 4 out, 6th after 2 out, 4th before last, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Leaders Way (10-7) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Mar.
Iznogoud (FR) 200-1 (11-10) Always behind, 15th of 22, 49l behind War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Jack High (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up, moderate 4th and no impression after 4 out, kept on same pace, left in lead 2 out, strongly pressed after last, all out, won at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar beating Nil Desperandum (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Behind, headway 11th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 26l behind Our Armageddon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Nil Desperandum (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd before 5 out, ridden and no impression after next, 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, every chance, just failed, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Jack High (11-2) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar.
Baron Windrush 11-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 17th, ridden after 20th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar, 18 ran.
Heros Collonges (FR) 2-5fav (11-3) Held up, took closer order 5th, went 2 lengths 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Before Dark (11-9) at Exeter 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Tyneandthyneagain 50-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, left poor 4th last, 4th of 14, well behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Risk Accessor (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 21, 13l behind You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Direct Access (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 4 out, hard ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (A) sft in Nov beating Risk Accessor (10-9) by 6l, 12 ran.
Colnel Rayburn (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, progress into 3rd halfway, 4th and no extra after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 37l behind Sir Oj (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Iris Royal (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, closer order to track leader 13th, jumped left 16th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind All In The Stars (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb.
Ross Comm 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Noisetine (11-12) by 12l, 7 ran.
Shotgun Willy (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led to 9th, blundered 10th, lost place when mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Philson Run (10-2) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar '05, 18 ran.
Just In Debt (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, brief effort 20th, soon beaten, 10th of 16, 35l behind Native Jack (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
