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16:15 Aintree

John Smith's Grand National Chase (handicap) (grade 3) (Class 1)

  • 40 Runners
  • Distance: 4m 4f
  • Going: Good
  • Surface: Turf
  • £700,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 9m 13.20s
  • Off Time: 16:24:05
  • 40 Ran
1
Silk - Emerald Green and Yellow (quartered), White sleeves, Red cap White star
9/1
  • Form 4222-59
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 158

mid-division, headway 5 out, effort after 3 out, weakened next

2
Silk - LIGHT BLUE, DARK BLUE diamond and diamond on cap
16/1
  • Form P/411P-1
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-8
  • Official Rating 154

held up in touch, hampered 9th (Valentines) soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Bechers)

3
Silk - Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap

L'ami (FR)

29 p
14/1
  • Form 3-53427
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-8
  • Official Rating 154

held up in touch, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, gradually weakened

4
Silk - PINK and YELLOW diamonds, YELLOW sleeves and cap
  • Form 643-344
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-6
  • Official Rating 152

towards rear, not fluent, refused 7th (Foinavon)

5
Silk - RED, WHITE cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap
  • Form 3F-2527
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-5
  • Official Rating 151

towards rear, headway halfway, in touch, weakened after 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up

6
Silk - EMERALD GREEN and YELLOW (quartered), WHITE sleeves and cap
16/1
  • Form 19U-513
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-4
  • Official Rating 150

towards rear, struggling halfway pulled up before 19th

7
Silk - Emerald Green, Black sleeves, White cap
  • Form 431-494
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-3
  • Official Rating 149

towards rear, reminders 23rd (Foinavon), some headway under pressure approaching 2 out, no impression

8
Silk - Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves, red cap
20/1
  • Form 24-26UU
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-2
  • Official Rating 148

towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 19th

9
Silk - Emerald Green, Yellow spots, Yellow and Emerald Green halved sleeves, Purple cap
33/1
  • Form 0-65736
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-1
  • Official Rating 147

in touch, fell 9th (Valentines)

10
Silk - Black and White stripes, quartered cap
100/1
  • Form 8FP18F
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-0
  • Official Rating 146

started slowly, always well behind, refused 15th (Chair)

11
Silk -
100/1
  • Form F22380
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-13
  • Official Rating 145

chased leaders to 6th, losing place when blundered and unseated rider 8th (Canal Turn)

12
Silk - BLACK, RED and WHITE striped sleeves, hooped cap
33/1
  • Form 1839P2
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-12
  • Official Rating 144

towards rear, some headway halfway, weakened 23rd (foinavon)

13
Silk - GREY, purple seams, quartered cap
  • Form 04B133
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-12
  • Official Rating 144

fell 1st

14
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots
50/1
  • Form 24420-P
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-11
  • Official Rating 143

soon towards rear, pulled up before 22nd (Bechers)

15
Silk - Maroon, Pale Blue spots, Maroon sleeves, Pale Blue cap, Maroon spots

Simon

49
20/1
  • Form 1-52611
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-11
  • Official Rating 143

in touch, fell 25th (Valentines)

16
Silk - White, Red chevron, Emerald Green and Red striped sleeves, Red cap
33/1
  • Form 20P5P0
  • Age 11
  • Weight 10-9
  • Official Rating 141

chased leaders, led approaching 17th until 18th, remained prominent, hampered 22nd (Bechers) blundered and unseated rider 24th (Canal Turn)

17
Silk - EMERALD GREEN & ORANGE HOOPED, Emerald Green cap white star
33/1
  • Form 313-6FP
  • Age 12
  • Weight 10-9
  • Official Rating 141

towards rear, never dangerous

18
Silk - Royal Blue, White hollow box, halved sleeves
  • Form 125-137
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-9
  • Official Rating 141

towards rear, blundered badly 11th, hit 15th (Chair), never dangerous

19
Silk - Dark Blue, White star, Red sleeves, White stars, Red cap, White star
  • Form 442250
  • Age 11
  • Weight 10-9
  • Official Rating 141

mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 6th (Bechers)

20
Silk - Emerald Green and Black hoops, Black sleeves, Black and White quartered cap
20/1
  • Form 7-0F251
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-8
  • Official Rating 140

towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out

21
Silk - Light blue, brown stripe and armlets
  • Form 417-710
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-8
  • Official Rating 140

mid-division, fell 8th (Canal Turn)

22
Silk - Royal Blue and White check, Royal Blue sleeves and cap
  • Form 33P3F5
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-8
  • Official Rating 140

held up in touch, headway 24th (Canal Turn) led 26th, mistake and headed last, kept on

23
Silk - Khaki, Dark Green cap
66/1
  • Form 49-2320
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-8
  • Official Rating 140

chased leaders early, behind when pulled up before 14th

24
Silk - Black and Beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, Beige cap
  • Form 36P-429
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-7
  • Official Rating 139

tracked leaders, led 18th, fell 22nd (Bechers)

25
Silk - Royal Blue, Dark Green sleeves and cap
14/1
  • Form P146/7-1
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-7
  • Official Rating 139

held up in touch, pushed along and slightly outpaced 24th (Canal Turn), rallied briefly after 3 out, no extra from last

26
Silk - Light Green, Red sash and sleeves, check cap
20/1
  • Form 5115UP
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-6
  • Official Rating 138

mid-division, weakened halfway pulled up before 2 out

27
Silk - Dark green, pink and white striped sleeves, pink cap
  • Form 163-53U
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-6
  • Official Rating 138

towards rear, fell 22nd (Bechers)

28
Silk - Purple, Yellow chevron and cap
  • Form 33-0F11
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-6
  • Official Rating 138

towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Bechers)

29
Silk - Brown, Orange sleeves, quartered cap
40/1
  • Form 814-489
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-6
  • Official Rating 138

tracked leaders, hit 20th, left in lead 22nd (Bechers), headed 26th, remained chasing leaders, effort approaching 2 out, faded flat

30
Silk - Black, Light Blue star, Light Blue sleeves, Black stars, Light Blue cap
33/1
  • Form F-38242
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-6
  • Official Rating 138

held up in touch, headway 26th (Canal Turn), led last, ridden out

31
Silk - Yellow, Orange braces, Yellow and Grey halved sleeves, Yellow cap, Orange stars
  • Form P21P6-8
  • Age 11
  • Weight 10-5
  • Official Rating 137

towards rear, headway 20th, chasing leaders 4 out, effort after next, one pace flat

32
Silk - White, large Red spots and armlets, Red and White quartered cap

Puntal (FR)

28 pt
80/1
  • Form 0-5527P
  • Age 11
  • Weight 10-5
  • Official Rating 137

towards rear, never dangerous

33
Silk - Pink, Brown cross belts and spots on cap
  • Form 1R21PP
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-5
  • Official Rating 137

led to 5th, remained prominent, losing place when blundered unseated rider 19th

34
Silk - Light Green, Orange sleeves and cap

Tikram

30
125/1
  • Form 008-040
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-5
  • Official Rating 137

unseated rider 1st

35
Silk - Dark Green, Red chevron, quartered cap
12/1
  • Form 2-41761
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-4
  • Official Rating 136

towards rear, headway 20th, chased leaders 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden before next, edged right and stayed on strongly flat to take 2nd near finish

36
Silk - Dark Blue and Emerald Green stripes, Red cap, Dark Blue star
125/1
  • Form 11530P
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-4
  • Official Rating 136

prominent, led 5th to 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 23rd

37
Silk - Pink and Royal Blue triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, White cap
33/1
  • Form 700472
  • Age 12
  • Weight 10-3
  • Official Rating 135

towards rear, fell 6th (Bechers)

38
Silk - Emerald Green, Black hoops, halved sleeves, Emerald Green cap
150/1
  • Form P0-5129
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-3
  • Official Rating 135

chased leaders, weakened 22nd (Bechers), tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

39
Silk - Grey, Red Cross of Lorraine, checked sleeves, Red cap
8/1
  • Form 076-781
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-2
  • Official Rating 134

in touch, reminders and lost place 12th, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 20th

40
Silk - BLACK and WHITE (halved), RED sleeves and cap
66/1
  • Form UU-0743
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-2
  • Official Rating 134

chased leaders until blundered and unseated rider (Bechers)

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

From a short listed containing Hedgehunter, Monkerhostin, Point Barrow, Simon and Liberthine, we will side with Hedgehunter once again in the John Smith's Grand National. Hedgehunter won this race in 2005 from a mark of 144 but was second to Numbersixvalverde from a mark of 156 (which is two pounds lower than today's mark) in last year's running of the race. Given that he is now nine pounds better off for six lengths with Martin Brassil's runner, he can go well again at a venue he clearly loves. The drying ground is a possible concern for last year's winner. Eurotrek, who is probably better on going with ease in it, is not seen very often but he is very good indeed when he does run, as evidenced by his eight lengths win from Bewleys Berry (who is now six pounds better off and has to be considered today on the quicker going) in the Becher Chase over today's fences in November. The Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth and seventh, Monkerhostin and L'Ami add a further touch of class to proceedings and are very much respected, while Thisthatandtother has proven consistent over the last three seasons and has certainly dropped to a reasonable mark if anywhere near his best. Sir Trevor Hemmings owns Hedgehunter and he also owns the lightly-raced eight-year-olds Billyvoddan and Idle Talk. Both hold chances and the latter has already been placed in the Scottish National. Royal Auclair was second in the 2005 National from a six-pounds higher mark but recent efforts need to be improved upon, while the 2006 Irish Grand National winner Point Barrow has attracted plenty of favourable mentions in the build up to Aintree, and we add our voice to those and he can go well. That said, Homer Wells is better off at the weights for having beaten him in the Bobbyjo Chase in February, although that race was run on heavy going. The Racing Post Chase winner, Simon, comes here as another lightly-raced improving eight-year-old and he gets a favourable mention, while Clan Royal, who was second in the 2004 National and third in 2005, is weighted to go well if anywhere near his best. Others to get a mention from us are Gallant Approach, whose trainer has had near misses with Mely Moss in the recent past, last year's National third and seventh, Dun Doire and Joe's Edge, who comes here on the back of a Cheltenham Festival win, and last season's Topham winner Liberthine, who has been targeted at this race. It all adds up to a wonderful renewal of the great race, in which our selection is Hedgehunter.

Formwatch

Hedgehunter (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, poor 12th from 7 out, kept on without threatening from next, 9th of 16, 30l behind Wishwillow Lord (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-123 gs.

Eurotrek (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden and blundered 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov beating Bewleys Berry (11-3) by 8l, 21 ran.

L'ami (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and one paced when hit 3 out, no chance after, 7th of 18, 13l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.

Monkerhostin (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, blundered 17th, still plenty to do approaching 2 out, stayed on run in, not reached leaders, 4th of 18, 10l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.

Thisthatandtother (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, close up, left 4th 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 9, 12l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.

Billyvoddan (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, chased leader 3rd until after 12th, left 3rd and hampered 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on run-in, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.

Numbersixvalverde (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Held up, last before 3 out, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well from last, 4th of 7, 5l behind Homer Wells (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.

Idle Talk (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Disputing lead, until bumped and unseated rider 5th unseated rider in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.

Royal Auclair (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 23rd until blundered next, stayed prominent, until weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, 37l behind Heads Onthe Ground (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) sft in Mar.

Cloudy Bays (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Led until fell in race won by Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.

Knowhere (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Mistakes, chased leaders, lost place 8th, hampered 9th, behind from 4 out, 12th of 17, 37l behind Denman (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.

Kelami (FR) (10-3) Held up, headway 3 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Or Noir De Somoza (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Point Barrow (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, moderate 10th 2 out, stayed on well on inner from next, 3rd of 22, 10l behind Kenilworth (9-13) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-123 hvy in Mar.

Celtic Son (FR) 8-1 (11-5) In rear, well behind when driven and blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Simon (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb, 10 ran.

Simon 11-2 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, steady headway from 8th, went 2nd 11th, challenging when not much room approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb beating Cornish Sett (11-7) by 10l, 10 ran.

Ballycassidy (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear on outside, mistake 12th, behind after, 17th of 23, well behind Joes Edge (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Clan Royal (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec, 18 ran.

Gallant Approach (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when hampered 2 out, weakened after, 7th of 23, 17l behind Joes Edge (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Livingstonebramble (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 10th, behind from 12th, 16th of 23, 28l behind Idole First (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Dun Doire (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up in rear, closer in 4th half-way, hampered 8 out, left 3rd, improved to 2nd before 5 out, mistake 4 out, led before 2 out, asserted before last, tired run-in, kept on, won at Down Royal 3m 2f chs gs in Mar beating Romaha (11-0).

Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.

Slim Pickings (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 5th, headway 10th, going well 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 5th of 23, 6l behind Idole First (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Zabenz (NZ) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 15th until 17th, soon ridden, no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 18, 12l behind Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.

Bewleys Berry (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 9th, hit next, led 15th, soon headed, hit 4 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 16, 48l behind Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.

Longshanks 9-1 (11-12) Led 4th to 7th, led 9th to 11th, led and hit 2 out, drew clear from last, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov beating Schuh Shine (11-12) by 11l, 8 ran.

Bothar Na (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Behind, blundered 9th, tailed off 16th and pulled up 5 out in race won by State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.

Graphic Approach (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hit 1st and 5th, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Idole First (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.

Homer Wells (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, ridden to dispute lead from 2 out, kept on well from last, led close home, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Jack High (11-3) by 2l, 7 ran.

Liberthine (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, never in contention, 9th of 24, 22l behind Cloudy Lane (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.

Silver Birch (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway, went 2nd at 27th, chased winner approaching last, kept on as winner idled flat, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Heads Onthe Ground (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) sft in Mar.

Philson Run (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, struggling 7th, closing and 5 lengths off the pace when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 34l behind Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.

Puntal (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Led to 3rd, led 4th to 9th, soon ridden, lost place 11, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 18th pulled up in race won by Baron Windrush (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 18 ran.

The Outlier (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, blundered 14th, weakened 19th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Baron Windrush (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 18 ran.

Tikram 9-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 23, 18l behind Idole First (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.

Mckelvey (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar beating Lyes Green (11-4) by a nk, 16 ran.

Naunton Brook 33-1 (11-6) Towards rear, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up in race won by Cloudy Lane (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.

Jack High (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, improved into 2nd before 3 out, disputed lead from 2 out, brought to stands' side after last, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Homer Wells (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.

Sonevafushi (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 5th until 12th, pressed leaders, ridden after 17th, gradually faded from 3 out, 9th of 24, 36l behind Drombeag (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.

Joes Edge (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Held up, headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, driven and still 4 lengths down last, strong run final 100 yards to lead post, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar beating Juveigneur (11-9) by a shd, 23 ran.

Le Duc (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 27th, driven, headed well before last, no impression when lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Heads Onthe Ground (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) sft in Mar.