Crabbie´s Grand National Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) (CLASS 1) (7yo+) 4m3f110y
Roll of Honour – Past winners
|
Year |
Winner |
Age |
Weight |
OR |
Trainer |
Jockey |
SP |
|
2013 |
Auroras Encore |
11 |
10-03 |
137 |
Mrs S Smith |
Ryan Mania |
66/1 |
|
2012 |
Neptune Collonges |
11 |
11-06 |
157 |
P Nicholls |
D Jacob |
33/1 |
|
2011 |
Ballabriggs |
10 |
11-00 |
150 |
D McCain |
J Maguire |
14/1 |
|
2010 |
Don’t Push It |
10 |
11-05 |
153 |
J O’Neill |
AP McCoy |
10/1JF |
|
2009 |
Mon Mome |
9 |
11-00 |
148 |
Miss V Williams |
L Treadwell |
100/1 |
|
2008 |
Comply Or Die |
9 |
10-09 |
139 |
D E Pipe |
T Murphy |
7/1JF |
|
2007 |
Silver Birch |
10 |
10-06 |
138 |
G Elliott |
R M Power |
33/1 |
|
2006 |
Numbersixvalverde |
10 |
10-08 |
138 |
M Brassil |
N P Madden |
11/1 |
|
2005 |
Hedgehunter |
9 |
11-01 |
144 |
W P Mullins |
R Walsh |
7/1F |
|
2004 |
Amberleigh House |
12 |
10-10 |
139 |
D McCain |
G Lee |
16/1 |
ANALYSIS OF THE KEY CONTENDERS
TEAFORTHREE
174
TIDAL BAY
174
Long standing stable stalwart. Appeared as good as ever when second in the Welsh National. Faces a daunting task off top-weight; however, one of a few classy performers in the race. Likely to be ridden off the pace with much depending on how he jumps on the first circuit. Record in handicap chases 2, 2, UR (2011 National), 1, 2, 3. —————————————
THE PACKAGE
169
Mid-division when unseating his ride in the 2010 renewal. Returned to form at Cheltenham last time out after a spell in the wilderness. Has a squeak off a viable handicap mark. —————————————
BALTHAZAR KING
168
Unbeaten in three cross-county races and one handicap chase this season. Jumps well and races off a mark 9lb lower than in future races. Disappointing last season when making too much of the running. Goes well fresh and one to consider. —————————————
LONG RUN
168
Ex-Gold Cup winner that appeared on the decline until bouncing back to winning form at Kelso last time out. Following a relatively light campaign, he has a clear chance on his form at Punchestown last April. Has a competent pilot on board with an excellent record over these fences. This is his first run in a handicap chase and the first over further than three-miles three-furlongs. Half-brother to 2006 Topham Trophy winner Liberthine. —————————————
BIG SHU
167
Won the Cross-Country at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. Returned to finish third this season, having has an interrupted preparation. Slight improvement on 1lb better terms would give him the same chance as Balthazar King. If he takes to the fences, he could run a big race. —————————————
ROCKY CREEK
167
One of the less exposed runners in the race. Second in the Hennessey Gold Cup to Triolo D’Alene, before filling the same spot behind The Giant Bolster (went on to finish third in the Gold Cup in the Argento Chase this season. He has proved a good jumper since going over fences and is 6lb better off with Triolo D’Alene for just under three-lengths. Serious shout if staying the trip. —————————————
PINEAU DE RE
167
Won a competitive handicap chase at Exeter before finishing strongly into third place at Cheltenham in the Pertemps Hurdle Final. Useful sort that does make mistakes over fences. Fell in the Becher Chase last December. —————————————
HAWKES POINT
167
Excellent second to Mountainous in the Welsh National last December. Now 1lb better off. Disappointed last time out and appears best on soft/heavy ground. —————————————
MOUNTAINOUS
166
Won the Welsh National last December in a thrilling finish from Hawkes Point and Tidal Bay. 9lb worse off with Tidal Bay, disappointed last time out, and seemingly best on soft/heavy ground. —————————————
CHANCE DU ROY
166
Has a good record over these fences. Second in the 2012 Topham Trophy, he won the Becher Chase last December. Normally a safe jumper, the trip is a venture into the unknown. —————————————
TRIOLO D’ALENE
165
Hacked up in the 2013 Topham Trophy and improved to take the 2013 Hennessy Gold Cup Ran an average race in the Gold Cup. Reported to have a breathing problem post-race. Not an ideal preparation and something to prove. —————————————
WALKON
165
Excellent second in the 2013 Topham Trophy. Disappointing this season but claims at his best. Stamina poses more questions than answers. —————————————
PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE
165
Favourite for the Grand National in 2012 and second-favourite last year; injury ruled him out on both occasions. 2013 form at Fairyhouse gives him a serious chance at the weights and may benefit from an easy time this season. —————————————
MONBEG DUDE
163
Won the 2012 Welsh National from Teaforthree and now 13lb worse off for a half-length win. Returned to his best at Cheltenham last December, before running a disappointing trial at Doncaster. He will need to jump better than he did that day but not without a shout. —————————————
COLBERT STATION
163
2012 Paddy Power Chase winner at Leopardstown. Decent third at Navan last November. Unseated at the Chair in 2013, when appearing to be travelling well. Claims at his best, but took a heavy fall last month on his prep-run.
Selected Others:
ACROSS THE BAY: Decent handicap chaser on his day but only fourteenth last year off a 3lb lower mark. BATTLE GROUP: In good form last April winning handicap over hurdles and fences at this meeting. Returned to his old ways this season by refusing to race. BURTON PORT: Not the force of old; showed a bit more sparkle last time out. If he has moved on from that he could run into the first five or six. DOUBLE SEVEN: Much improved performer this season. Racked up a five-timer from June to September 2013 and caught the eye in his prep-race at Leopardstown last month. Faces a new challenge, on a galloping track, over bigger fences he has faced previously. HUNT BALL: High-class chaser in 2012 and returning to his best for Mr Henderson. Question mark over the trip. LION NA BEARNAI: 2012 Irish National winner off a 5lb lower handicap mark. Returned to form at Fairyhouse recently before being outclassed in a Grade Two at the same course. Something to prove at the age of twelve. NIGHT IN MILAN: Jumps well, enjoys flat tracks but stamina may prove an issue. QUITO DE LA ROQUE: An interesting outsider on anything close to his best form. SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM: Ran well for a long way when ninth in the2012 renewal. Appeared not to stay and disappointing so far this season. THE RAINBOW HUNTER: Bounced back to his best in a decent handicap chase at Doncaster last time out. Unseated his rider at the eighth fence in last year’s race. VINTAGE STAR: Improved performer this season, unusually falling at Cheltenham last time out. Top six finish not beyond him based on runs at Haydock Park in January and Newcastle last November. WYCK HILL: Stays marathon trips winning the Eider Chase in February. Ran a fair race at Uttoxeter last time out. Stayed on into ninth place in the Becher Chase here last November. Can make mistakes.
JPFestival.com Grand National Tips:
Win Tip – Big Shu – 28/1 (as at 1 April)
Each Way Tip – Double Seven – 33/1 (as at 1 April)
