CHELTENHAM Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere headlines 98 entries for the £1-million Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 11th.
Trained by Jim Culloty, the nine-year-old could bid to become the first horse since L'Escargot and only the third ever to win the Gold Cup and Grand National. L'Escargot won the Cheltenham showpiece in 1970 and 1971, and then denied Red Rum a hat-trick of wins at Aintree in 1975. Golden Miller won both races in 1934.
Culloty has also entered Spring Heeled who emerged as a potential Aintree contender when making most of the running to win the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Culloty partnered the 2002 Grand National victor Bindaree and if successful at Aintree on April 11 would join Algy Anthony, Tommy Carberry, Aubrey Hastings, Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter - all of whom have ridden and trained Grand National winners since 1900.
Betfred, the official betting partner of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival, makes Spring Heeled its 25/1 co-favourite of 11 alongside the likes of last year's winner Pineau De Re (Dr Richard Newland), the 2014 runner-up Balthazar King (Philip Hobbs) and Hennessy Gold Cup hero Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood). Seven of the first eight finishers from last year are entered again.
Alvarado is also among the market leaders but has not been seen since last year's renewal. The Fergal O'Brien-trained 10-year-old was quietly fancied after an impressive victory at Cheltenham in November, 2013, and stayed on strongly from the last to snatch fourth under Paul Moloney.
O'Brien said: "Alvarado put his heart and soul into the National last year and he was a bit tired when he came back, so we gave him a long break.
"He has had no real problems - just a couple of niggly things - and the weather has conspired against us, which is why he hasn't run yet.
"Aintree is plan A and we will work back from that. There is a veterans' chase at Doncaster in the middle of February or there is another race at Warwick a week later. The plan would be to have one run around that time and then go straight to Aintree.
"I think he can do better than he did last year. I don't think he would have won as the winner won very well, but he did not settle for a long time during the race and, consequently, Paul (Moloney) had to have him a long way back.
"Alvarado did not run between New Year's Day and the National last year and Paul felt that if we had had a run in between, it might have taken the freshness out of him and made him settle better.
"You need loads of luck as well. We have watched the replay several times and there were two or three incidents where he could have been brought down. We had the luck last year and we need that again this year."
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill took the spoils with Don't Push It in 2010 and has four contenders, headed by Irish Grand National victor Shutthefrontdoor (25/1 with Betfred) and Hennessy Gold Cup third Merry King (25/1).
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has seven entries, the most of any handler, headlined by Rocky Creek (33/1) and Sam Winner (33/1) who have both placed in Grade One chases this season. The Somerset handler has also engaged Welsh National runner-up Benvolio (33/1) and the seven-year-old Unioniste (25/1), who carries the John Hales colours of 2012 winner Neptune Collonges.
Alan King's sole entry is Godsmejudge (25/1), who came agonisingly close to recording back-to-back victories in the Scottish Grand National last year when just touched off by Al Co (40/1, Peter Bowen).
Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins saddled Hedgehunter to victory in 2005 and accounts for four of the 25 Irish-trained entries. His quartet features Back In Focus (25/1), who has only run once since landing the 2013 National Hunt Chase, and last year's Grade One Melling Chase scorer Boston Bob (33/1).
Tony Martin also has four engaged, headed by recent Paddy Power Handicap Chase winner Living Next Door (33/1), while First Lieutenant (33/1) is an eye-catching entry for Mouse Morris.
Oscar Time (Robert Waley-Cohen) is a real Aintree specialist, having finished runner-up in the 2011 Grand National and fourth in 2013. He gained a deserved first win over the Grand National fences when taking the Betfred Becher Chase on December 6. Now a 14-year-old, he has to overcome the statistic that no horse of that age has triumphed in the history of the Grand National, although Peter Simple was 15 when successful way back in 1853. The oldest winner in the last 100 years was 13-year-old Sergeant Murphy in 1923.
Other notable contenders include Teaforthree (25/1, Rebecca Curtis), Bet365 Gold Cup victor Hadrian's Approach (40/1, Nicky Henderson) and Monbeg Dude (33/1, Michael Scudamore).
The weights for the Grand National are framed by the British Horseracing Authority's Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith, and will be unveiled at the Royal Opera House in London on Tuesday, February 17th.
THE CRABBIE'S GRAND NATIONAL
Grade 3, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 11, 2015. Four miles, three and a half furlongs. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, up to and including March 23, 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 15. 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 15 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 15. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Entries closed February 3, entries revealed February 4 (98 entries). Weights revealed Tuesday, February 17. First scratchings' deadline March 3. Second scratchings' deadline March 24. Five-day confirmation stage April 6. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 9.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) 11 Scotch Piper Syndicate Donald McCain
AL CO (FR) 10 Frank Lloyd Peter Bowen
ALDERWOOD (IRE) 11 J P McManus Thomas Mullins IRE
ALPHA VICTOR (IRE) 10 Denton, Kinsey, Osborne Hse, Wesley-Yates William Kinsey
ALVARADO (IRE) 10 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O'Brien
AMERICAN SPIN 11 George Collacott & R Gadd Luke Dace
ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 12 Cash Is King Martin Keighley
BACK IN FOCUS (IRE) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
BAILEYS CONCERTO (IRE) 9 United Five Racing & Andrew Sayer Dianne Sayer
BALLYCASEY (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
BALLYOLIVER 11 Richard Britten-Long Venetia Williams
BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) 11 The Brushmakers Philip Hobbs
BENVOLIO (IRE) 8 Patricia Thompson Paul Nicholls
BOB FORD (IRE) 8 The Bob Ford Partnership Rebecca Curtis
BOSTON BOB (IRE) 10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) 7 Jo Tracey David Pipe
BUDDY BOLERO (IRE) 9 Malcolm Denmark Tony Martin IRE
BURTON PORT (IRE) 11 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
CAPPA BLEU (IRE) 13 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 9 J P McManus John Kiely IRE
CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) 9 06 Zoo Ltd Karen McLintock
CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 7 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
CEDRE BLEU (FR) 8 Tangledupinblue Charlie Mann
CHANCE DU ROY (FR) 11 Daphne Du Pre Philip Hobbs
CORRIN WOOD (IRE) 8 Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield Donald McCain
COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) 10 Nick Mustoe Emma Lavelle
DOLATULO (FR) 8 Chasemore Farm Warren Greatrex
DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) 9 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies
DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE) 10 Lesley Field Philip Hobbs
ELY BROWN (IRE) 10 Countrywide Vehicle Rentals Taxi Hire Charlie Longsdon
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) 9 Garrett Kelly Tony Martin IRE
GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 9 Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club Philip Hobbs
GLENQUEST (IRE) 12 Coolglen Syndicate Stuart Crawford IRE
GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) 9 Favourites Racing Alan King
GOONYELLA (IRE) 8 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE
GREEN FLAG (IRE) 8 John Adam Lucinda Russell
GUESS AGAIN (IRE) 10 Malcolm Denmark Tony Martin IRE
HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 8 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson
HARRY THE VIKING 10 Jim Beaumont, Douglas Pryde & Quona Thomson Sandy Thomson
HOME FARM (IRE) 8 Chris Jones Henry de Bromhead IRE
IKORODU ROAD 12 John Odell Graeme McPherson
KATENKO (FR) 9 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams
KRUZHLININ (GER) 8 Paul & Clare Rooney Donald McCain
LACKAMON 10 Sue Smith Sue Smith
LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE) 9 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE
LOCH BA (IRE) 9 Peter Taplin, Susan Bunney & Partners Mick Channon
LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 9 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
MAGGIO (FR) 10 Mike Deren Patrick Griffin IRE
MAKE A TRACK (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
MANY CLOUDS (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Oliver Sherwood
MART LANE (IRE) 10 Geoff Thompson Sophie Leech
MERRY KING (IRE) 8 Frank Gillespie Jonjo O'Neill
MON PARRAIN (FR) 9 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
MONBEG DUDE (IRE) 10 Oydunow Michael Scudamore
MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) 10 Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter Richard Lee
MY MURPHY (IRE) 9 Hans Zindel Liam Burke IRE
NEPTUNE EQUESTER 12 Jim Beaumont Sandy Thomson
NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) 9 Richard Collins Keith Reveley
OSCAR TIME (IRE) 14 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen
OWEGA STAR (IRE) 8 Anthony Callan/Siobhan Callan Peter Fahey IRE
PINEAU DE RE (FR) 12 John Provan Dr Richard Newland
POOLE MASTER 10 Geoff Thompson David Pipe
PORTRAIT KING (IRE) 10 Marie Davis Maurice Phelan IRE
PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 12 Prince & Paupers Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
QULINTON (FR) 11 Bob Whitby Johnny Farrelly
RAJDHANI EXPRESS 8 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 10 James Swan Sandra Hughes IRE
REBEL REBELLION (IRE) 10 Woodhouse, Sutton & Dobson Paul Nicholls
RENARD (FR) 10 ROA Arkle Partnership Venetia Williams
RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 10 Andrew Wiles Venetia Williams
RIVER CHOICE (FR) 12 Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard FR
ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 9 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
ROI DU MEE (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
ROLLING ACES (IRE) 9 David Martin, Paul Barber & Ian Fogg Paul Nicholls
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) 10 Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners David O'Meara
ROYALE KNIGHT 9 Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan Dr Richard Newland
RUBI LIGHT (FR) 10 Bill Hennessy Robert Hennessy IRE
SAINT ARE (FR) 9 David Fox Tom George
SAM WINNER (FR) 8 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls
SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) 8 Axom (XXXVI) Emma Lavelle
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
SOLL 10 Derrick Mossop David Pipe
SPRING HEELED (IRE) 8 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
STANDING OVATION (IRE) 8 The Bravo Partnership David Pipe
SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) 12 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
SUPER DUTY (IRE) 9 Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden Ian Williams
SYDNEY PAGET (IRE) 8 Roger O'Byrne Donald McCain
TALES OF MILAN (IRE) 8 Phil Middleton Phil Middleton
TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 11 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis
THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) 8 The Stonehenge Druids Neil Mulholland
THE PACKAGE 12 The Johnson Family David Pipe
THE RAINBOW HUNTER 11 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership Kim Bailey
THEATRICAL STAR 9 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard
TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 13 Jean & Clemmie Shipp Warren Greatrex
UNIONISTE (FR) 7 John Hales Paul Nicholls
VINTAGE STAR (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
WYCK HILL (IRE) 11 J P McManus David Bridgwater
98 entries
25 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
Betfred bet: 25/1 Alvarado, Back In Focus, Balthazar King, Godsmejudge, Many Clouds, Merry King, Pineau de Re, Shutthefrontdoor, Spring Heeled, Teaforthree, Unioniste.
33/1 Across The Bay, Benvolio, Boston Bob, Dolatulo, First Lieutenant, Home Farm, Living Next Door, Lord Windermere, Monbeg Dude, Rebel Rebellion, Rocky Creek, Saint Are, Sam Winner, Sunnyhillboy
40/1 Al Co, Ballycasey, Buddy Bolero, Carlingford Lough, Cause Of Causes, Chance du Roy, Corrin Wood, Court By Surprise, Gallant Oscar, Goonyella, Guess Again, Hadrian's Approach, Katenko, Kruzhlinin, Portrait King, Prince de Beauchene, Roi du Mee, Rolling Aces, Royale Knight, Shotgun Paddy, Super Duty, The Druids Nephew, Theatrical Star, Wyck Hill
50/1 Alderwood, Any Currency, Baileys Concerto, Broadway Buffalo, Burton Port, Cappa Bleu, Carlito Brigante, Cedre Bleu, Double Ross, Duke Of Lucca, Green Flag, Make A Track, Mon Parrain, Mountainous, My Murphy, Night In Milan, Oscar Time, Owega Star, Rajdhani Express, Raz de Maree, Renard, Rubi Light, Standing Ovation, The Package, Vintage Star
66/1 Alpha Victor, Bob Ford, Gas Line Boy, Lackamon, Loch Ba, Poole Master, Rigadin de Beauchene, Rose Of The Moon, Soll, Sydney Paget, Tales Of Milan, The Rainbow Hunter, Tranquil Sea
100/1 American Spin, Ballyoliver, Ely Brown, Glenquest, Harry The Viking, Ikorodu Road, Maggio, Mart Lane, Neptune Equester, River Choice
200/1 Qulinton. (¼ odds 1-2-3-4)
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