Friday, April 9, 2010MAIN40,307 49p

TTOORRRREESSLLEEAADDSSEEUURROOCCHHAARRGGEE 4pages

inside

SPORT Friday, April 9, 20102 ★★★★

2010GrandNational Pinstickers guideandECHOSport’s best tip for thebig race

MADISON DU BERLAISTrainer: David PipeWON the totesport Bowl atAintree last year, but connectionsopt for National now. Has it all todo off top weight, but jumps welland should get round, butmaybe no more.

TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE)Trainer: Paul NichollsSHOT to favouritism after hisnarrow Aon Chase victory. But heran a hugely disappointing racewhen last home in the Gold Cup.Passed over by Ruby Walshfor Big Fella Thanks.

MON MOMETrainer: Venetia WilliamsLAST year's winner by 12 lengths,showed his well-being when anexcellent third in the Gold Cup.Sure to go well and could beplaced, but bigger weightmakes the repeat tough.

BLACK APALACHI (IRE)Trainer: Dessie HughesWINNER of the Becher Chase in2008, he was going well in lastyear's race when coming down atBecher's second time around.Excellent second in BobbyjoChase hints at form.

JOE LIVELY (IRE)Trainer: Colin TizzardNOW an 11-year-old andseemingly on the downgrade.Beaten a long way at Cheltenhamlast time. And despite decent formin the past, little torecommend him now.

VIC VENTURI (IRE)Trainer: Dessie HughesMADE it back-to-back wins forHughes in the Becher Chase inNovember. Comes here in formafter he beat Black Apalachi atFairyhouse last time. Bigweight may anchor him.

COMPLY OR DIE (IRE)Trainer: David PipeWINNER two years ago andgallant runner-up last year from abigger weight. Sure to get round,but is now a year older andcarrying a bit more. Top 10finish, but unlikely to win.

DON'T PUSH IT (IRE)Trainer: Jonjo O'NeillWON a handicap chase at Aintree12 months ago and is generallyconsistent. Pulled up over hurdlesat Cheltenham last time. Bigweight could be hisdownfall.

MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE)Trainer: Tom Mullins (IRE)THIRD in the Grade One NovicesChase at Aintree last year and hehas a high level of form. Second inNavan Grade Three contest putshim in with a chance buthas stamina doubts.

NICHE MARKET (IRE)Trainer: Bob BucklerWON the Irish Grand Nationallast year and that has been one ofthe best guides for Aintree. Willstay and is a sound jumper.He looks one of the morelikely candidates.

CLOUDY LANETrainer: Donald McCain JnrSIXTH when joint favourite twoyears ago and fell at the 15th whengoing well last year. Generally asound jumper and given a clearround could play a hand inthe finish.

DREAM ALLIANCETrainer: Philip HobbsFAIRYTALE winner of the WelshNational for small-timeconnections. Disappointed whenpulled up at Haydock last time, andneeds soft ground to be athis best.

NOZIC (FR)Trainer: Paul NichollsRIDDEN by last year’s winningjockey Liam Treadwell. He was12th to Irish Raptor over theNational fences last year, and awell-beaten ninth in WelshNational. A real outsider.

MY WILL (FR)Trainer: Paul NichollsTHIRD in last year’s Nationalunder Ruby Walsh. Walsh hasdeserted him and comes into therace after finishing seventh in theGold Cup. No reason whyhe can’t get round again.

PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR)Trainer: David PipeONE of the David Pipe team, buthas only ever won over two miles.Stamina and class doubts make ithard to see him as anything otherthan an also ran.

BACKSTAGE (FR)Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE)WON an extended 3m chase FfosLas in December and has beentrained for Aintree since. Couldeasily go well for GrandNational-winning trainerGordon Elliott.

BALLYHOLLAND (IRE)Trainer: Colin McBratney (IRE)ARGUABLY the Irish dark horse.Landed the Galway Plate lastsummer and has had his campaigngeared around Aintree. Could runa big race for little-knownIrish trainer.

BEAT THE BOYS (IRE)Trainer: Nigel Twiston-DaviesPULLED UP three times this term,but won the other two startsincluding November’s RehearsalChase at Newcastle. On thathe’ll win or fail to getround. Expect the latter.

PREISTS LEAP (IRE)Trainer: Tom O'Leary (IRE)Finished 14th in last year’sNational at odds of 100-1.Nothing in his five starts sincethen suggest he will fare any betterthis time despite carryingless weight now.

CAN’T BUY TIME (IRE)Trainer: Jonjo O'NeillFELL at the 18th fence in lastyear’s National. Generallyconsistent and won at Cheltenhamover Christmas and was sixth toBig Fella Thanks last time.Could go well.

SNOWY MORNING (IRE)Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE)THIRD two years ago and ninthlast year. Clearly likes Aintree andhas been consistent this season.Finished eighth in the Hennessyand not out of the firstthree since. Will go well.

BIG FELLA THANKSTrainer: Paul NichollsHAS been favourite since his winat Newbury in Februarpartnered by two-time Nationalwinner Ruby Walsh. Sixth last yand sure to get ethis time

RACINGREPORTERCHRISWRIGHTGIVESHIS PREDICTION

Another Williams setfor Aintree gloryraces that put an emphasis onjumping and staying. Just whatyou need to win a National.

And although most Nationalheroes have had a busycampaign, State Of Play’s onerun this season is a positive forhim. Williams’ charge needs tofresh to be seen at his best.

He’s won on his seasonalreturn twice and was second onthe other. He also scored over

Aintree’s Mildmay fences backin 2007 after a five-monthbreak.

So the fact he hasn’t been seensince pulling up behind Denmanin the Hennessy back inNovember is not a concern. He isfresh, well and at the top of hisgame according to hisEverton-supporting trainer.

Mon Mome, who was trainedon the border of Wales inHereford, was the first

French-bred winner in 100years. State Of Play can write anew chapter in Nationalhistory to become the firstWelsh-trained National hero in105 tomorrow afternoon.

One of the chief dangers tothe selection will be last year’swinner.

Venetia Williams’ 10-year-oldwon by 12 lengths and bids tobecome the first horse to win asecond Grand National sinceRed Rum in 1973 and 1974.

A typically shrewdcampaign brings him back toAintree in great nick.

Following pleasing runs inHaydock’s two big chases, thePeter Marsh and Blue SquareGold Cup, Mon Mome put upone of his best performanceswhen a staying-on third behind

Imperial Commander in theCheltenham Gold Cup.

Only the extra burden ofcarrying 11st7lb and the weightof history are negatives for ahorse who jumps superbly andstays all day.

He is sure to be in shake-up,but it will be much tougher forhim to re-write Aintree historyagain after his 100-1 shock win.

Irish raiders are always to befeared at Aintree.

Wrighty’sforecast

1st Sta2nd Mon Mome3rd Ballyholland

4th Big F

STATEOFPLAYALLTHEWAY

STATEOFPLAYALLTHEWAYIT may have become almost

impossible to win the JohnSmith’s Grand Nationalmore than once. But havinghad a taste of the unique

Aintree marathon is a vitalingredient to success.

That’s why last year’s fourthhome, State Of Play, looks to holda massive chance of becomingthe first Welsh-trained winnerin more than a century.

In the last decade onlyAintree heroes Numbersix-valverde and Comply Or Die hadnot jumped the big Nationalobstacles previously. WhileAmberleigh House,Hedgehunter, Silver Birch andMon Mome had all run withgreat credit in the previousseason’s National before theircareer-defining successes.

So almost since State OfPlay crossed the line 25lengths behind Mon Mome,trainer Evan Williams hasbeen plotting a return for his10-year-old.

And he ticks all the rightboxes for a potential Nationalwinner.

He is the right age at 10, has aperfect weight of 10st 10lb andhas proved his ability tonavigate the daunting Aintreefences.

He has also shown he can winthe biggest staying chases on thecalendar. State Of Play took theHennessy Gold Cup at Newburyin 2006 and landed the CharlieHall Chase a year later – two

6

8

7

4

7

6

5

6

8

5

7

5

4

6

3

6

8

4

4 5 7

2010Aintree

Friday, April 9, 2010 SPORT 3★★★★

Tomorrow,AintreeRacecourse, 4.15pm (liveonBBC1)

CONNA CASTLE (IRE)Trainer: Jimmy Mangan (IRE)DONE most of his running overshorter distances, but classyenough to finish placed in Gradedcompany on several occasions.Stamina a huge doubt, butcould get round.

ERIC'S CHARM (FR)Trainer: Oliver SherwoodVETERAN at 12, but retains zestfor the game with wins atSandown and Newbury. Fell in theTopham Chase in 2008 back butcould defy his advancingyears and go well.

KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE)Trainer: Arthur Moore (IRE)FINISHED second to Comply OrDie in the 2008 National, butinjury kept him off the track for ayear. Has never quite replicatedthat form since his returnand unlikely to do so now.

OLLIE MAGERNTrainer: Nigel Twiston-DaviesFELL in last year’s National anddespite doing connections proudover the years, with wins at GradeOne and Two level, at the age of12 it is hard to see himdoing any better this time.

ARBOR SUPREME (IRE)Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE)WON over 3m6f at Punchestownin 2008, beating Black Apalachi.Has only won once since, but ranwell to be second atLeopardstown last time.Could go well.

MALJIMAR (IRE)Trainer: Nick WilliamsMISSED the cut in last year’sNational. Has run well this yearincluding when third to GradeChampetre in the Cross CountryChase at Cheltenham inNovember. Could go well.

IRISH RAPTOR (IRE)Trainer: Nigel Twiston-DaviesHAS run over the National fencesfive times, completing four. His winin last year’s Topham Chase markhim down as a likely candidate.But there are doubts abouthis stamina.

MR POINTMENT (IRE)Trainer: Paul MurphyWON the Becher Chase in 2007when trained by Paul Nicholls, butpulled up in that season’s National.Has had problems and was adistant 10th in the GoldCup. Best days behind him.

ROYAL ROSA (FR) -RESERVETrainer: Howard JohnsonTOOK to the Aintree fences wellin November and could gowell at big odds, but firsthas to get in to the race.

BIG FELLA THANKSPaul Nicholls

ourite since his winy in February and

o-time Nationalalsh. Sixth last year

e to get even closer

CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE)Trainer: John QuinnMISSED last year’s race throughinjury. Has been down the field onhis two starts since over hurdlesand at Cheltenham last month.Jumps and stays well buthas his chance gone?

STATE OF PLAYTrainer: Evan WilliamsFOURTH last year and with lessweight looks like he can go closeagain. Jumps, stays and despitehaving only one run – pulled up inNovember – has always runwell after a long break.

ELLERSLIE GEORGE (IRE)Trainer: Nick MitchellFINISHED eighth in the BecherChase two years ago and startedthis term in good form. Has to puta disappointing run at Newburylast time behind him. Hardto see doing that.

BALLYFITZTrainer: Nigel Twiston-DaviesRAN excellent Aintree trials whenfifth and fourth in the WelshNational and the Gold Cup atHaydock, then 13th over hurdlesat Cheltenham but at hisbest on soft ground.

PIRAYA (FR)Trainer: David PipeOWNED by Liverpool-born TerryNeill who is desperate to win aNational. Won a handicap chase atKempton, but disappointed in theRacing Post Chase. Lacksexperience for this.

THE PACKAGETrainer: David PipeRAN a wonderful National trialwhen second to Chief DanGeorge in the William Hill Trophyat Cheltenham last month. But asa seven-year-old may be abit too young this time.

HELLO BUD (IRE)Trainer: Nigel Twiston-DaviesSCOTTISH Grand Nationalwinner last season and ran wellover the Aintree fences to finishfifth in the Becher. Generallydisappointing since butbetter ground might help.

PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR)Trainer: Charlie LongsdonRAN well to finish second toSilver By Nature in Blue SquareGold Cup at Haydock. Stays welland looks sure give a go well. Butat seven this may come ayear or two early for him.

FLINTOFF (USA)Trainer: Venetia WilliamsPULLED up on his only start thisterm in the Welsh National. But ifhe could replicate his MidlandsNational second last year andthird in the Scottish in 2008would have a chance.

ABBEYBRANEY (IRE)Trainer: Howard JohnsonHAS only had four starts in morethan two years since joiningHoward Johnson. Won at Hexhamin November but pulled upin the four-miler atCheltenham. Outsider.

CERIUM (FR) - RESERVETrainer: Paul MurphyFIFTH last year under Formbyjockey Keith Mercer, and despite alow weight hard to see himimproving on that now partneredby Davy Russell. But heshould get round again.

SILVER BIRCH (IRE)-RESERVETrainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE)WON the National in 2007, butbecause of injury couldn’t defendhis crown. Into the veteranstage now at 13.

TERCHRISWRIGHTGIVESHIS PREDICTION

Six of the last 11winners have hailedfrom the Emerald Isle

and among their leadingplayers are the last twowinners of the totesportBecher Chase BlackApalachi and VicVenturi for DessieHughes.

Both clearly go well

over the big Aintree obstaclesand are dangers. But they arecarrying big weights and a fewlower down from Ireland mayget closer to victory.

Arbor Supreme is interestingfrom the Willie Mullins’ stablewho won with Hedgehunter in2005, but it is Ballyholland thatmay be the dark horse.

A winner of the Galway Plate

last summer, one of the lesserknown trainers in Ireland ColinMcBratney has geared hiscampaign around a tilt at theAintree marathon.

He was sent over hurdles toprotect his handicap mark andlanded a novice event at Naas inJanuary.

He was down the field on hisreturn to fences in a Grade Twocontest Leopardstown last time,but that should have put himspot on for his trip to Aintree.

That was in testingconditions and the betterground on Merseyside could seehim in a better light.

There is no reason why hecan’t go close to landing anotherNational for the Irish.

Big Fella Thanks is sure to gooff a warm favourite and you cansee why.

He was sixth as a novicechaser 12 months ago. Andmoved to the head of the marketwith victory at Newbury inFebruary.

Wrighty’sforecast

1st State of Play2nd Mon Momed Ballyholland

4th Big Fella Thanks

ONTHISYEAR’SAINTREESHOWPIECE

HISTORY REPEAT: CanMon Mome win again?

He has a handy weight of10st12lb, is a year older andstronger and has two-timeNational winner Ruby Walsh onboard.

The fear, though, is he doesn’ttruly stay the 4m4f and may nothave enough energy left tooutpoint his rivals on therun-in.

Donald McCain has alwaysbeen convinced Cloudy Lane canwin a National. He was sixth in2008 and came down when goingwell last year.

He has been a credit toconnections, winning severalgood prizes at Cheltenham,Haydock and Doncaster inrecent seasons.

He is something of a forgottenhorse having stated favouritetwo years ago.

With a clear round he couldrun a big race a much longerodds this time.

With several bookmakerspaying out on the first five home,Cloudy Lane could be the one tomake them cough up.

TOP TIP: State of Play is Chris Wright’smost likely winner of this year’s National

5

6

6

6

4

6

6

6

5

5

7

6

6

6

5

6

5

6

8 6 10 5

Ratingsout of 10

SPORT Friday, April 9, 20104 ★★★★

1 244 MADISON DU BERLAIS (42) (P;C)(P) D Pipe 9-11-10 ....T Scudamore 160

2 463 MON MOME (22) (CD) Miss V Williams 10-11-7..........................A Coleman 155

3 501 VIC VENTURI (49) (P;C)(P) D T Hughes (IRE) 10-11-6 ................P W Flood 162

4 U-02 BLACK APALACHI (49) (P;C)(P) D T Hughes (IRE) 11-11-6...D O'Regan 161

5 030 JOE LIVELY (25) C L Tizzard 11-11-6..............................................J Tizzard 159

6 23P DON'T PUSH IT (23) (C) Jonjo O'Neill 10-11-5 .........................A P McCoy 161

7 2-00 COMPLY OR DIE (25) (B;CD)(B) D Pipe 11-11-5.....................T J Murphy 131

8 219 TRICKY TRICKSTER (22) P Nicholls 7-11-4......................B J Geraghty 150

9 529 NICHE MARKET (25) R Buckler 9-11-4.......................................H Skelton 156

10 4P2 MADE IN TAIPAN (14) Thomas Mullins (IRE) 8-11-4.............N P Madden 159

11 21P DREAM ALLIANCE (49)(P) P Hobbs 9-11-3 ...........................T J O'Brien 154

12 644 CLOUDY LANE (35) D McCain Jnr 10-11-3.................................J Maguire 159

13 0-69 NOZIC (103)(T) P Nicholls 9-11-3 ...................................................L Treadwell 161

14 757 MY WILL (22) P Nicholls 10-11-2 .................................................N Scholfield 165

15 6-4F PABLO DU CHARMIL (70)(T) D Pipe 9-11-2 ...............................D Cook --

16 117 BALLYHOLLAND (41) C McBratney (IRE) 9-11-0.............A J McNamara 151

17 138 BACKSTAGE (14) G Elliott (IRE) 8-11-0 .......................................D Condon 154

18 1PP BEAT THE BOYS (25) N Twiston-Davies 9-11-0.........................B Hughes 158

19 0F0 PREISTS LEAP (25)(B) T G O'Leary (IRE) 10-11-0....................P T Enright 145

20 223 SNOWY MORNING (41) W P Mullins (IRE) 10-10-13...............D J Casey 154

21 016 CAN'T BUY TIME (35) Jonjo O'Neill 8-10-13 .........................R McLernon 158

22 2U1 BIG FELLA THANKS (35) P Nicholls 8-10-12..............................R Walsh 163

23 44-P STATE OF PLAY (133) (C) E Williams 10-10-11.........................P Moloney --

24 1-00 CHARACTER BUILDING (25) J J Quinn 10-10-11.....Miss N Carberry 136

25 187 ELLERSLIE GEORGE (35)(P) N Mitchell 10-10-10 .................C Williams 152

26 011 ERIC'S CHARM (35) O Sherwood 12-10-9 ..........................W Hutchinson 164

27 980 KING JOHNS CASTLE (27) A L T Moore (IRE) 11-10-9........P Carberry 151

28 45U CONNA CASTLE (43) J J Mangan (IRE) 11-10-9 ................S W Flanagan 159

29 540 BALLYFITZ (23) N Twiston-Davies 10-10-9 ..................................D England 162

30 467 OLLIE MAGERN (25) N Twiston-Davies 12-10-9 ..........................T Molloy 153

31 7U2 ARBOR SUPREME (41) W P Mullins (IRE) 8-10-8 ............Paul Townend 160

32 253 MALJIMAR (120) N Williams 10-10-8 ...............................................D Jacob 162

33 312 THE PACKAGE (25) (BF) D Pipe 7-10-7 .............................................G Lee 166

34 019 PIRAYA (42)(T) D Pipe 7-10-7 ............................................................J Farrelly 158

35 4U5 IRISH RAPTOR (126) (C) N Twiston-Davies 11-10-7..................P Brennan 146

36 20-0 MR POINTMENT (22) (C) Paul Murphy 11-10-7..........................K Whelan 58

37 420 PALYPSO DE CREEK (23) C Longsdon 7-10-6 ........................T Siddall 158

38 B87 HELLO BUD (23)(T) N Twiston-Davies 12-10-6 ..........Mr S Twiston-Davies 162

39 52-P FLINTOFF (103)(B) Miss V Williams 9-10-5 ......................................A Tinkler --

40 31P ABBEYBRANEY (24) J H Johnson 9-10-5.................................K Renwick 151

41 R20 SILVER BIRCH (25) (P,T;CD)(P,T) G Elliott (IRE) 13-10-5 ......R M Power (Res 1) 131

42 05-8 CERIUM (22) (C) Paul Murphy 9-10-5......................................................... (Res 2) 140

43 3P5 ROYAL ROSA (80) J H Johnson 11-10-5 .....................................R Mania (Res 3) 151

44 62F KNOWHERE (25) (B;C)(B) N Twiston-Davies 12-10-4 ..............B Harding (Res 4) 1632009: Mon Mome 9 11 0, L Treadwell 100-1 (Miss V Williams), 40 ran.ECHO BETTING: 7-1 Big Fella Thanks, 10-1 Mon Mome, 10-1 Arbor Supreme, 12-1 Black Apalachi, 12-1Tricky Trickster, 12-1 Snowy Morning, 12-1 The Package, 14-1 Vic Venturi, 14-1 Niche Market, 14-1State of Play, 16-1 Comply Or Die, 16-1 Don't Push It, 16-1 Backstage, 16-1 Can't Buy Time, 16-1Character Building, 25-1 Dream Alliance, 25-1 Ballyholland, 25-1 Maljimar, 25-1 Irish Raptor, 25-1 HelloBud, 33-1 Madison Du Berlais, 33-1 Cloudy Lane, 33-1 My Will, 33-1 Ellerslie George, 33-1 Ballyfitz, 33-1Eric's Charm, 33-1 King Johns Castle, 33-1 Palypso De Creek, 50-1 Joe Lively, 50-1 Nozic, 50-1 BeatThe Boys, 50-1 Piraya, 50-1 Abbeybraney, 50-1 Cerium, 50-1 Flintoff, 50-1 Royal Rosa, 50-1 Silver Birch,50-1 Knowhere, 66-1 Made In Taipan, 66-1 Pablo Du Charmil, 66-1 Preists Leap, 66-1 Conna Castle, 66-1 Ollie Magern, 66-1 Mr Pointment

BIG FELLA THANKS 8-1 In touch, headway to chase leaders 12th, trackedleader going well 4 out, led 3 out, hung left and idled flat, always just doingenough, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar beating Pasco by 1 1/2l,9 ran. MON MOME 50-1 Held up in touch, reminder 16th, outpaced 4 out, stayedon from next, rallied flat to take 3rd near finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of11, 30l behind Imperial Commander at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gd inMar. ARBOR SUPREME 12-1 Held up towards rear, progress 3 out, 7th before 2out, 4th and headway approaching last, 2nd and stayed on well closing stages,

2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Stewarts House at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch sft in Feb. BLACKAPALACHI 5-1 Chased leaders, 4th halfway, moderate 4th from 9 out, closed entering straight,ridden into 2nd 2 out, no impression leader, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Vic Venturi atFairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb. TRICKY TRICKSTER 12-1 Held up in touch, struggling24th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Imperial Commander at Cheltenham 3m 2fGrade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar. SNOWY MORNING 5-1 Settled 3rd, lost place after mistake 6th, 7thand outpaced 2 out, 6th under pressure last, stayed on well closing stages, 3rd of 8, 3l behindTranquil Sea at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb. THE PACKAGE 9-2fav Held up behind,headway on outside at bypassed 4 out, ridden approaching last, rallied to go 2nd flat, closed onwinner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 24, hd behind Chief Dan George at Cheltenham 3m hcp chsG3 (1) gs in Mar. VIC VENTURI 3-1 Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to 2nd 5 out,challenged 4 out, led entering straight, clear 2 out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse3m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb beating Black Apalachi by 8l, 8 ran. NICHE MARKET 20-1 In touch, led14th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 9th of 24, 15l behind Chief Dan George atCheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar. STATE OF PLAY 12-1 Mid-division, lost place 15th,tailed off when pulled up 17th, in a race won by Denman at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs inNov, 19 ran. COMPLY OR DIE 40-1 With leader, led 5th, headed 14th, driven and outpaced 3 out,soon weakened, 13th of 24, 42l behind Chief Dan George at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs inMar. BACKSTAGE 10-1 Held up towards rear, headway to 6th 6 out, 5th 4 out, ridden in 6th andno extra before 3 out, weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Glencove Marina at Navan 2m 4f chsGrade 3 hvy in Mar. CAN'T BUY TIME 4-1 Held up in rear, steady headway 10th, weakened 4 out,6th of 9, 29l behind Big Fella Thanks at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar. CHARACTERBUILDING 12-1 Mid-division, mistake 10th, never dangerous, 12th of 24, 36l behind Chief DanGeorge at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar. DON'T PUSH IT 28-1 Always towards rear,tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Buena Vista at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl(1) gs in Mar, 24 ran. DREAM ALLIANCE 9-1 Held up in mid-division, jumped right 12th, soonbehind and pushed along next, pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Silver By Nature atHaydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran. BALLYHOLLAND 8-1 Tracked leaders in 5th,close up after 2 out, soon ridden, 4th last, no extra, 7th of 8, 10l behind Tranquil Sea atLeopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb. MALJIMAR 17-2 In rear, hit 27th, headway 3 out, effortwhen not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Garde Champetre at Cheltenham3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec. IRISH RAPTOR 12-1 Prominent, led 5th, headed 8th, led again 14th,headed 18th, under pressure 3 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 8, 28l behind Eric's Charm atSandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec. HELLO BUD 16-1 Prominent, ridden 12th, not fluent17th, soon weakened, 7th of 24, 29l behind BallaBriggs at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2)gs in Mar. MADISON DU BERLAIS 9-1 Prominent, led approaching 3rd, headed next, lost place 5out, 4th of 13, 31l behind Razor Royale at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb. CLOUDY LANE11-1 Chased leaders, ridden and no impression from after 4 out, 4th of 14, 14l behind Wogan atDoncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar. MY WILL 80-1 Held up behind, struggling 15th, neverdangerous, 7th of 11, well behind Imperial Commander at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gd inMar. ELLERSLIE GEORGE 9-1 Chased leader, led 5th, ridden and headed before 17th, weakenedbefore 4 out, no chance when blundered next, 7th of 8, well behind Eric's Charm at Newbury 3m 2fhcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar. BALLYFITZ 33-1 With leaders led 3rd to next, chased leaders, ridden3 out, soon lost place and weakened, 13th of 24, 23l behind Buena Vista at Cheltenham 3m lstdhcp hdl (1) gs in Mar. ERIC'S CHARM 9-1 Led, mistake and headed 5th, chased leader, led before17th, jumped right 4 out, strongly pressed and blundered 2 out, hard driven and joined flat, kept ongamely to assert final 150 yards, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar beatingKnowhere by 2 1/4l, 8 ran. KING JOHNS CASTLE 20-1 Held up in rear, slow 3rd, no impressionfrom 3 out, kept on same pace, 11th of 14, 19l behind Vintage Oak at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl in Mar.PALYPSO DE CREEK 18-1 Mid-division, driven and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 24,23l behind Buena Vista at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar. JOE LIVELY 33-1 Led to 5th,with leader, lost place after 14th, weakened 3 out, 14th of 24, 49l behind Chief Dan George atCheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar. NOZIC 18-1 Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, mid-division halfway, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 18, well behind Dream Alliance at Chepstow 3m 5fGrade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec. BEAT THE BOYS 50-1 Mid-division on outside, lost place12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Chief Dan George at Cheltenham 3mhcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran. PIRAYA 14-1 Mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasingleaders, weakened 14th, 9th of 13, 48l behind Razor Royale at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft inFeb. ABBEYBRANEY 11-1 Mid-division on outside, mistake 17th, soon lost place, behind whenpulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Poker De Sivola at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd inMar, 18 ran. CERIUM 200-1 Always in rear, struggling from halfway, 8th of 11, well behindImperial Commander at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar. FLINTOFF 14-1 Soon heldup towards rear, under pressure 13th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won byDream Alliance at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 18 ran. ROYAL ROSA11-1 Held up, effort 5 out, outpaced next, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 11l behind ItsTeescomponents at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan. SILVER BIRCH 20-1 With leader,mistake 18th, lost place 25th, weakened 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind A New Story at Cheltenham3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar. KNOWHERE 28-1 Mid-division when fell 7th, in a race won by ChiefDan George at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran. MADE IN TAIPAN 5-1 Settledbehind leaders, 6th halfway, headway to 4th 4 out, improved to challenge 3 out, soon led, riddenand challenged before last, headed last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 8lbehind Glencove Marina at Navan 2m 4f chs Grade 3 hvy in Mar. PABLO DU CHARMIL 9-1 Intouch when fell 5th, in a race won by The Sawyer at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan, 12ran. PREISTS LEAP 33-1 Always behind, weakened 3 out, 13th of 16, 37l behind A New Story atCheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.CONNA CASTLE 7-1 Held up in rear,progress to go 4th 5 out, left 3rd next, 2ndafter 3 out, in touch when jumped badlyright 2 out, no extra when again jumpedright and blundered and unseated rider last,in a race won by Let Yourself Go at Thurles2m 2f chs sft in Feb, 7 ran. OLLIE MAGERN80-1 Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soonridden, kept on under pressure, never onterms, 7th of 24, 13l behind Chief DanGeorge at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gsin Mar. MR POINTMENT 250-1 Alwaysbehind, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behindImperial Commander at Cheltenham 3m 2fGrade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.

ECHOFORM

JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE 3)4m 4f. 6yo plus Penalty value £521,052 40 Runners4.15 BBC1

22001100JJOOHHNNSSMMIITTHH’’SSGGRRAANNDDNNAATTIIOONNAALLDDeeccllaarreeddrruunnnneerrss&&rriiddeerrss

Published by Trinity Mirror Merseyside, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street,Liverpool, L69 3EB, and printed by Trinity Mirror Printing Oldham Ltd,

Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. Registered at The Post Office as a newspaper

Echo Main Apr 09 10 49p ISSN:1751-6277