2012 - Neptune Collonges

The winner

Neptune Collonges' retirement was immediately announced and he retired to his owners farm in Shropshire. He did compete in dressage events for a few years.

Leading Fancies

Following the grim scenes at Aintree last year a number of modifications were made to the format of the race and to the National Course. A review conducted by the racecourse authorities, and the British Horse Racing Authority, in consultation with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare recommended the following amendments to the course ; -

Fence 1 (fence 17 on second circuit) to be levelled out on the landing side to remove several minor contours.
Fence 4 (fence 20 on second circuit) to be rebuilt and reduced in height by two inches to 4 ft 10 inches.
Bechers to have its drop on the landing side reduced by between four and five inches.
Height of toe-boards at the base of all fences to be increased from nine inches to fourteen inches, in line with ordinary fences.

Other recommendations were made to improve the safety of race participants, including :-

The requirement for participating horses to have previously finished fourth or better in a recognised steeplechase of at least three miles.
The minimum age of eligible horses to be increased from six to seven years.
The creation of a new post-race washdown and cooling area.
Flexibility in shortening or removing the pre-race parade in hot weather

2012 also marked the end of the BBCs eighty five year association with the National - I, for one would not be shedding a tear as the BEEB had lost interest in racing years ago. But back to the runners ON HIS OWN was a lighty raced individual who had only had two starts for his new connections but was impressive in victory in the valuable Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park which put him in contention for this. SYNCHRONISED had developed from a very useful handicapper with wins last season in the Welsh and Midlands Nationals to a top class steeplechaser this season with victories in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He would be the first Gold Cup winner since Master Oats in 1995 to attempt the Gold Cup/Grand National double in the same season. If he took to the fences this was the one they had to beat. SEABASS ridden by Katie Walsh looked to be the best chance for a lady rider to taste victory in the history of the National. This Aintree debutant had won his last seven starts, six chases and a point to point. Five of the wins had come after a twenty month absence including in a big field at Leopardstown in January. He was a very exciting prospect. SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM was a winner of a handicap chase at the Punchestown Festval in May and Cheltenham in December. Behind Calgary Bay at Doncaster and a spin over hurdles on his last start to freshen him up. He was the subject of a late plunge which was a little suprising as he did not set the world alight when he was unplaced in last years Topham. BALLABRIGGS had been a very impressive winner of this last year making most of the running to win but had finished exhausted and he became the first National winner not to be led into the winners enclosure afterwards. He had just the one race this season at Kelso where he ran satisfactorily. Although he was inevitably hiked in the weights another strong run was on the cards. KILLYGLEN was still in contention in this last year when falling four out. Not shown too much this season until winning a small event at Down Royal on his last start. CAPPA BLEU had returned from nearly a two years absence to win a competitive handicap at Haydock and followed that with third in the Welsh National. It was notable that the stable jockey had opted for this one over State of Play a horse with proven form in this race. One for the short-list. One had to respect the current Becher Chase winner and this year it was WEST END ROCKER. He had been brought down in the melee at first Bechers last year but came back to Aintree with a runaway victory on heavy going in December. Strangely he had not been seen out since. Finally a mention to an Aintree debutant from a small stable with sound each way prospects. ACCORDING TO PETE who was in sparkling form this season winning for the first time since his novice days with victories in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby and Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. He had inished ahead of Ballabriggs at Kelso on his last start.

JOHN SMITHS GRAND NATIONAL £418,860 to the winner, £172,380 to the second, £86,190 to the third, £43095 to the fourth, £21,548 to the fifth, £10,725 to the sixth, £5,460 to the seventh, £2,633 to the eighth, £1,365 to the ninth & £683 to the tenth

1 3-p0311 SYNCHRONISED 9, 11-10 (J J O'Nell) - A P McCoy

2 1/1121-4 BALLABRIGGS 11, 11-9 (D.McCain) - Jason Maguire

3 10p-13p WEIRD AL 9, 11-8 (D.McCain) - Timmy Murphy

4 00-p422 NEPTUNE COLLONGES 11, 11-6 (P F Nicholls) - Daryl Jacob

5 2f-0011 CALGARY BAY 9, 11-6 (Henrietta Knight) - Dominic Elsworth

6 0041up ALFA BEAT 8, 11-5 (J J Hardon - Ireland) - Davy Russell

7 01/30-23 PLANET OF SOUND 10, 11-5 (Philip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson

8 1u022/2 BLACK APALACHI 13, 11-3 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Denis O'Regan

9 3u34-1f DEEP PURPLE 11, 11-3 (Evan Williams) - Jamie Moore

10 1/321-02 JUNIOR 9, 11-2 (Davd Pipe) - Tom Scudamore

11 0-u3032 CHICAGO GREY 9, 10-13 (G.Elliott - ireland) - Paul Carberry

12 100-010 TATENEN 8, 10-13 (R.Rowe) - Andrew Thornton

13 1/11111 SEABASS 9, 10-12 (Ted Walsh - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh

14 00-1122 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM 8, 10-12 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty

15 11pb-p1 WEST END ROCKER 10, 10-12 (Alan King) - Wayne Htchinson

16 2-30112 ACCORDING TO PETE 11, 10-12 (M.Jefferson) - Harry Haynes\

17 14p1-b1 ON HIS OWN 8, 10-11 (W P Mullins - Ireland) - Ruby Walsh

18 113-1pp ALWAYS RIGHT 10, 10-10 (J.Wade) - James Reveley

19 f2p/133 CAPA BLEU 10, 10-10 (E.WIlliams) - Paul Moloney

20 340003 RARE BOB 10, 10-9 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Bryan Cooper

21 21-33f0 ORGANISEDCONFUSION 7, 10-8 (A L T Moore - Ireland) - Miss Nina Carberry

22 p-01423 TREACLE 11, 10- 8 (T J Taaffe - Ireland) - Andrew Lynch

23 10-b430 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB 11, 10-8 (W P Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend

24 f/02pp0 MON MOME 12, 10-8 (Venetia Williams) - Aiden Coleman

25 0p2f-00 ARBOR SPREME 10, 10-7 (J J O'Neill) - Mark Walsh

26 f-30p01 SUNNYHILLBOY 9, 10-5 (J J O'Neill) - Richie McLernon

27 030341 KILLYGLEN 10, 10-4 (S.Crawford - Ireland) - Robbie Power

28 2f-4010 QUISCOVER FONTAINE 8, 10-4 (W P Mullins) - David Casey

29 p13000 THARAWAAT 7, 10-4 (G.Elliott - Ireland) - Brian O'Connell

30 f-03f22 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE 9, 10-3 (N.Glynn - Ireland) - Davy Condon

31 144p3/4- STATE OF PLAY 12, 10-3 (E.Williams) - Noel Fehily

32 313p20 SWING BILL 11, 10-3 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell

33 p-20011 POSTMASTER 10, 10-2 (T.Vaughan) - Dougie Costello

34 p22-121 GILES CROSS 10, 10-1 (V.Dartnell) - Paddy Brennan

35 1/10p-10 MIDNIGHT HAZE 10, 10-0 (Kim Bailey) - Sean Quinlan

36 4b-2110 VIC VENTURI 12, 10-0 (D T Hughes - Ireand) - Harry Skelton

37 31u0-p3 IN COMPLIANCE 12, 10-0 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Niall Madden

38 0-143p0 VIKING BLOND 7, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Brian Hughes

39 p-0u004 HELLO BUD 14, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Sam Twiston-Davies

40 310040 NEPTUNE EQUESTER 9, 10-0 (B.Ellison) - Felix de Giles

S.P : 8-1 Seabass & Shakalakaboomboom, 12-1 Ballabriggs, 10-1 Synchronised, 14-1 Killyglen & On His Own, 16-1 Cappa Bleu, Junior, Sunnyhillboy & West End Rocker, 20-1 Chicago Grey, Giles Cross & Organisedconfusion, 22-1 Treacle, 25-1 Always Right, Becauseicouldntsee, Black Apalachi & Deep Purple, 28-1 According to Pete & Weird Al, 33-1 Calgary Bay, Hello Bud, NEPTUNE COLLONGES & Planet of Sound, 40-1 Rare Bob, State of Play & The Midnight Club, 50-1 Alfa Beat, Mon Mome & Quiscover Fontaine, 80-1 Midnight Haze, Vic Venturi & Viking Blond, 100-1 Arbor Supreme, In Compliance, Neptune Equester, Postmaster, Swing Bill & Tatenen, 125-1 Tharawaat

Aintree debutants

According to Pete*, Always Right, Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey, Deep Purple*, Giles Cross*, Midnight Haze*, Neptune Collonges*, Neptune Equester*, On His Own, Organisedconfusion*, Planet of Sound*, Quiscover Fontaine, Seabass, Sunnyhillboy, Synchronised*, Tatenen, Tharawaat*, Treacle, Viking Blond*, Weird Al

Winners at Aintree

BALLABRIGGS - Grand National (2011)

BLACK APALACHI - Becher Chase (2008)

HELLO BUD - Becher Chase (2010)

MON MOME - Grand National (2009)

VIC VENTURI - Becher Chase (2009)

WEST END ROCKER - Becher Chase (2011)

Result

1st NEPTUNE COLLONGES - Daryl Jacob

2nd SUNNYHILLBOY - Richie McLernon

3rd SEABASS - Miss Katie Walsh

4th CAPPA BLEU - Paul Moloney

Distances : A nose, five lengths & seven lengths

Time : 9 mins 5.10 seconds

Owned by John Hales

Trained by Paul Nicholls

15 finshers

25 non-finishers (10 fell, 4 unseated rider, 3 brought down, 3 hampered & unseated rider, 4 pulled up, 1 refused & unseated rider)

2 fatalities

The Class of 2012

ACCORDING TO PETE

ALFA BEAT

ALWAYS RIGHT

ARBOR SUPREME

BLACK APALACHI

CALGARY BAY

DEEP PURPLE

GILES CROSS

HELLO BUD

IN COMPLIANCE

JUNIOR

KILLYGLEN

MIDNIGHT HAZE

MON MOME

ORGANISEDCONFUSION

POSTMASTER

RARE BOB

SYNCHRONISED

NEPTUNE COLLONGES

NEPTUNE EQUESTER

PLANET OF SOUND

POSTMASTER

STATE OF PLAY

THARAWAAT

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB

VIC VENTURI

WEIRD AL

WEST END ROCKER

2013 - Auroras Encore

The winner

AURORAS ENCORE lined up in the Scottish National but it was a case of one race too many that season and he was pulled up without ever getting into the race. He became the second National winner in a row not to defend his title. He finished last in his reappearance race, the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day and also filled the backmarkers spot in his next race the Skybet Chase at Doncaster. Sadly he was found to have fractured a leg and he was immediately retired.

Leading Fancies

Sadly the alterations announced for the 2012 race did not quite work. Two more fatalities including the high profile Gold Cup winner Synchronised leading to more negative press both from the usual suspects and also worryingly in the racing press. So for 2012 Aintree announced that a number of further changes had been made :-

Twelve of the sixteen fences on the course were rebuilt with the timber frames within them replaced by a softer material known as "plastic birch". The fences were still covered with at least fourteen inches of spruce so they would remain the same height and to the naked eye - no change. However these new fences would be far more forgiving

The starting line was also moved ninety yards closer to the first fence, further away from the spectators' stands to reduce the noise and general tension at the start

The formal parade was also abolished with the runners parading briefly in the order they left the paddock

SEABASS was joint favourite for this last year and ran a cracker, leading two out and was only five lenghts behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. A warm up over hurdles was followed by third in the Bobbyjo Chase and another solid run was expected. ON HIS OWN was still in contention when he had fallen at second Bechers last year. He had warmed up for this with a win over hurdles at Navan on his sole start this year and was considered to have a leading chance again. Newcomer TEAFORTHREE had won the four miler at the Cheltenham Festival last year and was fancied for the Welsh National where he had been beaten by Monbeg Dude. He had disappointed at Haydock last time out but was very fancied for this. IMPERIAL COMMANDER had won the 2010 Gold Cup but had just had four starts since then but he had run a blinder in the Cotswold Chase on his reappearance this season just being collared close home. CAPPA BLEU had finished tweve lengths behind the winner in fourth place last year. Two sound performances this season and another strong run was on the cards. COLBERT STATION was the choice of the champ. Having just his sixth start over fences he had won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas and followed that with a win over timber at Punchestown both in big fields. One for the short list. Another Irishman CHICAGO GREY had been brought down early last year. He had won a Grade 2 chase at Navan on his last start so came in for some each way support. WHAT A FRIEND had been very fancied for this in 2011 but pulled up. Ran in the Bowl last year but was unplaced. He had just one run this season and was hard to fancy now. Aintree specialist BIG FELLA THANKS had completed the course three times between 2009 & 2011. Then off for over a year, changed trainers and was only beaten three lengths when finishing third in the Becher Chase. He had won a small race at Wincanton in January and it was great to see him back. Just one former winner in the field this year, BALABRIGGS, the 2011 hero and very lightly raced since. Fifth in this last year. He had flopped in the Becher Chase but showed a slight return to form when finishing third behing Always Right on his last start at Kelso. ALWAYS WAINING was a true Aintree legend winning the last three Topham Chases. One try at this was always on the cards but there were stamina doubts about him. This was probably not his race but it was a very sporting gesture by connections to give it a go.

4.15 : JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL £418,860 to the winner, £172,380 to the second, £86.190 to the third, £43,095 to the fourth, £21,548 to the fifth, £10,725 to the sixth, £5,460 to the seventh, £2,633 to the eighth, £1,365 to the ninth & £683 to the tenth.

1 01u/1p-2 IMPERIAL COMMANDER 12, 11-10 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Sam Twiston-Davies

2 p/33f0-0 WHAT A FRIEND 10, 11-9 (Paul Nicholls) - Sam Thomas

3 3pf-4pp WEIRD AL 10, 11-8 (D.McCain) - Timmy Murphy

4 1113-04 QUEL ESPRIT 9, 11-7 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend

5 40/u312 BIG FELLA THANKS 11, 11-6 (T.George) - Denis O'Regan

6 1113-23 SEABASS 10, 11-6 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh

7 0-1u300 ROBERTO GOLDBACK 11, 11-6 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty

8 p012-0p SUNNYHILLBOY 10, 11-4 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Richie McLernon

9 1/40-p03 BALLABRIGGS 12, 11-4 (D.McCain) - Jason Maguire

10 11-0020 TEAFORTHREE 9, 11-3 (Rebecca Curtis) - Nick Scholfield

11 3-11201 ACROSS THE BAY 9, 11-2 (D.McCain) - Henry Brooke

12 1p3-02p JOIN TOGETHER 8, 11-2 (Paul Nicholls) - Daryl Jacob

13 13-0211 COLBERT STATION 9, 11-1 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - A P McCoy

14 2p-1030 FORPADDYDEPLASTERER 11, 11-0 (T.Cooper - Ireland) - A J McNamara

15 p1/b1f-1 ON HIS OWN 9, 11-0 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Ruby Walsh

16 0-30233 JONCOL 10, 10-13 (P.Nolan - Ireland) - Robbie Power

17 p0f1-12 BALTHAZAR KING 9, 10-12 (Phillip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson

18 1334-22 CAPPA BLEU 11, 10-11 (Evan Williams) - Paul Moloney

19 2/4-4u00 OSCAR TIME 12, 10-11 (M M Lynch - Ireland) - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

20 4001-00 ALWAYS WAINING 12, 10-10 (Peter Bowen) - Tom O'Brien

21 10u-000 TATENEN 9, 10-10 (R.Rowe) - Andrew Thornton

22 423f-01 TREACLE 12, 10-9 (Tom Taaffe - Ireland) - Noel Fehily*

23 011011 LOST GLORY 8, 10-8 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Mark Walsh

24 p-p1440 SWING BILL 12, 10-8 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell

25 01-f430 SAINT ARE 7, 10-8 (T.Vaughan) - Dougie Costello

26 b-0u031 CHICAGO GREY 10, 10-7 (Gordon Elliott - Ireland) - Paul Carberry

27 10f-000 QUISCOVER FONTAINE 9, 10-7 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - David Casey

28 3b0-043 RARE BOB 11, 10-6 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Bryan Cooper

29 4-311p4 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 9, 10-6 (Kim Bailey) - Aiden Coleman

30 03pp40 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE 10, 10-6 (N.Glynn - Ireland) - Martin Ferris

31 12p-p00 HARRY THE VIKING 8, 10-6 (Paul NIcholls) - Ryan Mahon

32 300204 MR MOONSHINE 9, 10-5 (Sue Smith) - Peter Buchanan

33 1133fp MUMBLES HEAD 12, 10-4 (Peter Bowen) - Jamie Moore

34 3f0042 NINETIETH MINUTE 10, 10-3 (Tom Taaffe - Ireland) - Niall Madden

35 0p40f0 AURORAS ENCORE 11, 10-3 (Sue Smith) - Ryan Mania

36 p11420 TARQUINIUS 10, 10-2 (Gordon Elliott - Ireland) - Wilson Renwick

37 014u40 ANY CURRENCY 10, 10-0 (M.Keighley) - Ian Popham

38 2p-200p MAJOR MALARKEY 10, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Tom Scudamore

39 21b-001 SOLL 8, 10-0 (Jo Hughes) - Mark Grant

40 023p20 VIKING BLOND 8, 10-0 (N A Twiston-Davies) - Adam Wedge

* Noel Fehily replaced Andrew Lynch on Treacle

S.P : 11-2 Seabass, 8-1 On His Own, 10-1 Teaforthree. 11-1 Chicago Grey & Imperial Commander, 12-1 Cappa Bleu & Colbert Station, 16-1 Balthazar King & Rare Bob, 20-1 Ballabriggs & Sunnyhillboy, 25-1 Join Together & Roberto Goldblack, 33-1 Always Waining, Big Fella Thanks, Soll, Treacle & What A Friend, 40-1 Across the Bay, Harry the Viking, Quel Esprit & Quiscover Fontaine 50-1 Joncol, Lost Glory, Major Malarkey, Saint Are & The Rainbow Hunter, 66-1 AURORAS ENCORE, Becauseicouldnsee, Forpadydeplasterer, Mr Moonshine, Oscar Time, Viking Blond & Weird Al, 80-1 Ninetieth Minute & Swing Bill, 100-1 Any Currency, Mumbles Head, Tarquinius & Tatenen

Aintree debutants

Across The Bay, Auroras Encore*, Balthazar King, Colbert Station, Forpaddydeplaster*, Harry the Viking*, Imperial Commander*, Joncol*, Lost Glory*, Mr Moonshine, Ninetieth Minute*, Quel Esprit*, Roberto Goldback, Saint Are, Soll, Tarquinius*, Teaforthree, The Rainbow Hunter

Winners at Aintree

ALWAYS WAINING - Topham Chase (2010, 2011 & 2012)

BALLABRIGGS - Grand National (2011)

Result

1st AURORAS ENCORE - Ryan Mania

2nd CAPPA BLEU - Paul Moloney

3rd TEAFORTHREE - Nick Scholfield

4th OSCAR TIME - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

Distances : nine lengths, a neck & eleven lengths

Time : 9 mins 12 seconds

Owned by D.Pryde, J.Beaumont & D P Van der Hoeven

Trained by Sue Smith

17 finshers

23 non-finishers (2 fell, 4 unseated rider, 13 pulled up, 1 refused & unseated rider, 2 hampered & unseated rider, 1 hampered & refused)

The Class of 2013

ALWAYS WAINING

ANY CURRENCY

AURORAS ENCORE

BALLABRIGGS

BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE

BIG FELLA THANKS

CAPPA BLEU

CHICAGO GREY

FORPADDYDEPLASTERER

HARRY THE VIKING

IMPERIAL COMMANDEr
JOIN TOGETHER

JONCOL

LOST GLORY

MAJOR MALARKEY

MUMBLES HEAD

NINETIETH MINUTE

QUEL ESPRIT

QUISCOVER FONTAINE

RARE BOB

ROBERTO GOLDBLACK

SEABASS

SUNNYHILLBOY

TARQUINIUS

TATENEN

TREACLE
VIKING BLOND

WEIRD AL

WHAT A FRIEND

2014 - Pineau de Re

The winner

Pineau du Re was a surprise winner and showed so little the following season that 25-1 was a realistic reflection of his chances of a repeat victory in 2015. He finished unplaced and a second attempt at the Becher Chase ended at the second fence. He did become the first National winner in eleven years to win another race albeit it was a small hurdle race at Carlisle in December 2015. A third attempt at the National was thwarted as he narrowly missed the cut. He ran credibly in the Scottish National instead until unseating in the closing stages. He was retired after a lacklustre performance at Uttoxeter on his next start and he retrained as an eventer.

Leading Fancies

Irish debutant DOUBLE SEVEN was joint favourite this year. He had won three times at Kilbeggan in the summer and followed that wth two wins in the Autumn including the Munster National at Limerick. He was unplaced in a hunter chase at Leopardstown on last start but he was the choice of the champion and was very fancied as a result. Sharing favouritism was TEAFORTHREE who had run the race of his life in this last year disputing the lead at the last fence before fading to finish third. Second in this years Welsh National he was unplaced at long odds in the Gold Cup on his last start. A fascinating runner was LONG RUN, the 2011 Gold Cup and dual King George VI winner had packed a lot into his nine years and he was almost considered at the veteran stage now. Not as good as he was but he had shaped up well at Kelso on his last start. BALTHAZAR KING had been up with the leaders early in this last year but did not appear to stay and eventually finished down the field. However he was In sparkling form this season having re-invented himself as a cross country specialist with wins at Craon in France and two victories at Cheltenham, He remained one for the short list as long as he did not go off too fast. Irish challenger BIG SHU was making his Aintree debut but he was another cross country specialist, winning twice over the banks course at Punchestown including the four mile La Touche Cup in 2013. He had also won that years cross country chase at the Festival. Third in that event on his last start this season he should jump and would definitely stay. THE PACKAGE was getting on now and had unseated in this race in 2010. He was lightly raced since then but ran well to finish third at the Cheltenham Festival on his first start for a year. He was my selection on the basis of a dream. I also was fond of BURTON PORT who had formally been a very useful chaser finishing runner up in 2010 Hennessy and fourth in 2012 Gold Cup. Had also shown a liking for the Mildmay course winning the Mildmay Chase in 2010 and had been runner up in 2012 Bowl. Missed 2012-13 and shown virtually nothing since until a return to form last time. Old favourite, the quirky TIDAL BAY had unseated early in 2011 but since then had put in some stunning performances notably winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in 2012. Won a valauble hurdle at Wetherby in the autumn before finishing placed in the Welsh National and runner up last time in good company in Ireland. Not sure the National was the race though for this enigmatic character. One with form over the fences was TRIOLO D'ALENE the winner of the Topham Chase last year and had beaten Rocky Creek in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in November. Struggled in the Gold Cup last time out but didn't have an easy passage. He was another for the short-list.

4.15 : CRABBIE'S GRAND NATIONAL, £429,600 to the winner, £176,880 to the second, £88,400 to the third, £44,200 to the fourth, £22,100 to the fifth, £11,000 to the sixth, £5,600 to the seventh, £2,700 to the eighth, £1,400 to the ninth & £700 to the tenth

1 21-1032 TIDAL BAY 13, 11-10 (Paul Nicholls) - Sam Twiston-Davies

2 32-04u1 LONG RUN 9, 11-9 (Nicky Henderson) - Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

3 000034 HUNT BALL 9, 11-7 (Nicky Henderson) - Andrew Tinkler

4 01-1310 TRIOLO D'ALENE 7, 11-6 (Nicky Henderson) - Barry Geraghty

5 1113-22 ROCKY CREEK 8, 11-5 (Paul Nicholls) - Noel Fehily

6 0-f400p QUITO DE LA ROQUE 10, 11-1 (C A Murphy - Ireland) - Brian O'Connell

7 u-03u0f COLBERT STATION 10, 11-0 (T M Walsh - Ireland) - Mark Walsh

8 2p02-u4 WALKON 9, 11-0 (Alan King) - Wayne Hutchinson

9 0p-1111 BALTHAZAR KING 10, 10-13 (Philip Hobbs) - Richard Johnson

10 00-02p0 WAYWARD KING 10, 10-13 (Hilary Parrott) - Jack Doyle

11 003112 MR MOONSHINE 10, 10-12 (Sue Smith) - Ryan Mania

12 203-020 TEAFORTHREE 10, 10-12 (Rebecca Curtis) - Nick Scholfield

13 10-001u ACROSS THE BAY 10, 10-11 (D.McCain) - Henry Brooke

14 111110 DOUBLE SEVEN 8, 10-11 (M.Brassill - Ireland) - A P McCoy

15 11-1prp BATTLE GROUP 9, 10-10 (J.Farrelly) - Brendan Powell

16 0-00103 BUCKERS BRIDGE 8, 10-10 (H de Bromhead - Ireland) - Andrew Lynch

17 pp-0014 LION NA BERNAI 12, 10-10 (T.Gibney - Ireland) - Davy Russell

18 12-3004 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE 11, 10-10 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Paul Townend

19 3p-3410 MONBEG DUDE 9, 10-9 (M.Scudamore) - Paul Carberry

20 4211-23 BIG SHU 9, 10-8 (P.Maher - Ireland) - Peter Buchanan

21 000p02 BURTON PORT 10, 10-8 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Brian Harding

22 124-000 OUR FATHER 8, 10-8 (David Pipe) - Denis O'Regan

23 41-3310 MOUNTAINOUS 9, 10-7 (R.Lee) - Jamie Moore

24 4up-201 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 10, 10-7 (Kim Bailey) - Aiden Coleman

25 p-1202f VINTAGE STAR 8, 10-7 (Sue Smith) - Brian Hughes

26 400-1p4 CHANCE DU ROY 10, 10-6 (Philip Hobbs) - Tom O'Brien

27 12p-420 HAWKES POINT 9, 10-6 (Paul Nicholls) - Ryan Mahon

28 441103 KRUZHLININ 7, 10-6 (D.McCain) - Wilson Renwick

29 0f2013 PINEAU DE RE 11, 10-6 (Dr Richard Newland) - Leighton Aspell

30 r03/3-u1 GOLAN WAY 10, 10-5 (T.Vaughan) - Michel Byrne

31 20010u TWIRLING MAGNET 8, 10-5 (Jonjo O'Neill) - Richie McLernon

32 302-fu0 VESPER BELL 8, 10-5 (Willie Mullins - Ireland) - Ms Katie Walsh*

33 4/14pp-3 THE PACKAGE 11, 10-4 (David Pipe) - Tom Scudamore

34 11-p0p3 RAZ DE MAREE 9, 10-3 (D T Hughes - Ireland) - Davy Condon

35 114p-01 ROSE OF THE MOON 9, 10-3 (D O'Meara) - Jake Greenall

36 220/0p0 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM 10, 10-3 (Nicky Henderson) - David Bass

37 0r3-01p ALVARADO 9, 10-2 (F O'Brien) - Paul Moloney

38 433-000 LAST TIME D'ALBAIN 10, 10-2 (L P Cusack - Ireland) - Robert Colgan

39 f3p400 ONE IN A MILAN 9, 10-2 (Evan Williams) - Adam Wedge

40 4400-00 SWING BILL 13, 10-1 (David Pipe) - Conor O'Farrell

* M P Fogarty down to ride Vesper Bell in the racecard

S.P : 10-1 Double Seven & Teaforthree, 12-1 Long Run, 14-1 Balthazar King, Big Shu & The Package, 16-1 Burton Port, Monbeg Dude, Rocky Creek, Shakalakaboomboom, Tidal Bay & Triolo D'Alene, 20-1 Mr Moonshine & Prince de Beauchene, 25-1 Our Father, PINEAU DE RE & The Rainbow Hunter, 33-1 Alvarado, Chance du Roy, Colbert Station, Lion Na Bearnai & Walkon, 40-1 Battle Group, Mountainous, One in a Milan, Quito de la Roque & Vesper Bell, 50-1 Across the Bay, Hawkes Point, Hunt Ball, Last Time D'Albain, Raz de Maree, Rose of the Moon & Vintage Star, 66-1 Buckers Bridge, Golan Way, Swing Bill & Wayward Prince, 100-1 Kruzhlinin & Twirling Magnet

Aintree Debutants

Alvarado, Battle Group*, Big Shu*, Buckers Bridge*, Burton Port*, Double Seven*, Golan Way*, Hawkes Point*, Hunt Ball, Kruzhlinin, Lion Na Bearnai, Long Run*, Monbeg Dude, Mountainous*, One in a Milan*, Our Father, Prince de Beauchene*, Quito de la Roque*, Raz de Maree, Rocky Creek, Twirling Magnet, Vintage Star*, Wayward Prince

Winners over the National fences

CHANCE DU ROY - Becher Chase (2013)

TRIOLO D'ALENE - Topham Chase (2013)

Result

1st PINEAU DE RE - Leighton Aspell

2nd BALTHAZAR KING - Richard Johnson

3rd DOUBLE SEVEN - A P McCoy

4th ALVARADO - Paul Moloney

Distances : five lengths, one & a quarter lengths & ten lengths

Time : 9 mins 9.9 seconds

Owned by J A Provan

Trained by Dr Richard Newland

18 finshers

22 non-finishers (8 fell, 4 unseated rider, 2 hampered & unseated rider, 7 pulled up, 1 refused to race)

The Class of 2014

BATTLE GROUP

BIG SHU

BUCKERS BRIDGE

BURTON PORT

COLBERT STATION

DOUBLE SEVEN

GOLAN WAY

HAWKES POINT

HUNT BALL` 1`

LAST TIME D’ALBAIN

LION NA BEARNAI

LONG RUN

MONBEG DUDE

MOUNTAINOUS

MR MOONSHINE

ONE IN A MILAN

OUR FATHER

PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE

QUITO DE LA ROQUE

ROSE OF THE MOON

SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM

SWING BILL

TEAFORTHREE

THE PACKAGE

TIDAL BAY

TWIRLING MAGNET

VESPER BELL
VINTAGE STAR

WALKON

WAYWARD PRINCE