Source:  Aintree.co.uk News Release

 

JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL LIKELY RUNNERS 

 

SURFACE TO AIR, GOING CHANGE, RECORD NUMBERS FOR MATALAN STYLE CONTEST, HORSES START TO ARRIVE AT AINTREE 

 

SURFACE TO AIR SET FOR LIFT-OFF

Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National may be two years later than planned for outsider Surface To Air but trainer Chris Bealby is hoping that his patience will prove a virtue.

 The 10-year-old had looked a fine prospect when he completed a hat-trick by winning the Summer National at Uttoxeter in 2008, but subsequent leg problems meant that was his last appearance in public before a comeback run over hurdles at Market Rasen three weeks ago.

 “It is such a shame he couldn’t have run in the 2009 race, the year after that season when he was so progressive," he said this afternoon.

 “Every time he went up by 10lb, he’d go and win by ten lengths. But it wasn’t to be, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to still be involved.”

 Bealby, who is based in Lincolnshire, reports Surface To Air in fine form after his outing last month, when he finished last in a three-mile handicap hurdle.

 “It was just what he needed,” he said of the Samraan gelding. “It was a long time since he’d jumped in public, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

 “It is a day-to-day thing with Surface To Air, but his legs were fine afterwards and since. I ride him a lot at home and he feels as good as he’s ever been.

 “He’s a lovely big horse, the classic model of a chaser. He’s in very good order and although he’ll be a bit more ring-rusty than some of the others, we’ll give it a go on Saturday. It’s a race where you never know what may happen.”

 Tom Messenger will have his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National on Surface To Air.

 GOING UPDATE

GOING CHANGED TUESDAY AFTERNOON

 The going has changed late this afternoon to:

 Mildmay & Hurdle Courses - Good to Soft, good in places (from good, good to soft in places)

 Grand National Courses - Good to Soft (from good to soft, good in places)

 after a total of four millimetres of rain overnight and early this morning.

 It has been dry but overcast since then but the courses have not dried out as much as Andrew Tulloch, Clerk of the Course & Director of Racing expected.

 He said: “The rain and cloud cover today have meant the ground on all the courses is a bit softer than I expected.

 “It is lovely ground and I could not be more happy at this stage and the meeting will start on Thursday with ground on the easy side of good.

“We will monitor the ground conditions during the meeting and can water overnight if necessary.”

 There will be fresh ground on the Mildmay & Hurdle courses each day of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting. The rail will be moved in after racing on both Thursday and Friday to give about four yards of fresh ground on the inside the following day.

 The forecast is:

Wednesday - dry, cloudy with some sunny spells, possible drizzle during the morning, 16C

Thursday - dry and cloudy with sunny spells, 10C

Friday - cloudy morning, becoming brighter in the afternoon, 13C

Saturday - dry and cloudy with sunny spells, 16C

 RECORD NUMBERS PRE-REGISTER FOR THE MATALAN STYLE CONTEST

 A record number of people - 1,281 - and counting had pre-registered for the Matalan Style Contest at Aintree Racecourse on Ladies’ Day, Friday, April 8, 2011 by the end of this afternoon.

 Those who have pre-registered and others who enter on the day will strut their raceday look in front of a panel of fashion experts for the chance to be crowned the Most Stylish Racegoer in the 2011 Matalan Style Contest.

 The judges are looking for a racegoer who shows a real flair for dressing for the occasion, so the catwalk in the Matalan Style Enclosure (Red Rum Garden) on Friday, April 8 is the place to be for the chance of winning:

 • £5,000 cash

• An Almond Resorts Saint Lucia holiday for two

• Feature in a Matalan photo shoot

• £500 shopping spree in Matalan

• A £500 Totepool bet

• £500 worth of Benefit treats

 HORSES START TO ARRIVE FOR THE JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

Horses started to arrive today at Aintree Racecourse for the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

 The first on site this year was the Sabrina Harty-trained Won In The Dark who runs in the Grade One BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle, the first race on the card on the opening day, Liverpool Day, Thursday, April 7.

 Boxer Georg, trained by Willie Mullins, entered for the John Smith’s Fox Hunters, also on Thursday, and the Roger McGrath-trained Kilty Storm, another entry for the race, are the two others.

 There are 160 stables available on the racecourse with further stabling at Haydock Park Racecourse.

 For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree's Marketing and PR Manager, on 0151 522 2906 or 07917 266511 or e-mail emma.owen@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 THE 2011 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Class 1, Grade 3, £950,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April  9, 2011, four miles and four furlongs. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 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 13, 2011. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 1, 2011, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances to February 13, 2011, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 13, 2011. 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. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 1, entries revealed February 2 (102 entries, 3  subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 15, first scratchings deadline March 1 (82 remained), second scratchings deadline March 22 (74 remained). Five-day confirmation stage April 4 (65 five-day confirmations), final declaration stage 10.00am, April 7 - maximum field size of 40, plus 4 reserves. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, April 3. WITH CORRECT NUMBERING & ORDER OF ELIMINATION

 Form                Horse                                       Age/Wgt           Owner                          Trainer/Probable Jockey

1) P1-P000 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE)  11-11-10  J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill/Tony McCoy

2) 04-3226 TIDAL BAY (IRE)  10-11-09  Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/Brian Hughes

3) 211-524 WHAT A FRIEND  8-11-06  Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson Paul Nicholls/Daryl Jacob

4) 1B-0044 VIC VENTURI (IRE)  11-11-06  Seamus Dunne  Dessie Hughes IRE/Andrew Lynch

5) U62/1-31 MAJESTIC CONCORDE (IRE) 8-11-05  Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE/Mr Robbie McNamara

6) 42F14 OR NOIR DE SOMOZA (FR) 9-11-05  Filsal Stadeg Racing David Pipe/Tom Scudamore

7) 1F24-41 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 10-11-04  Jackie Mullins  Willie Mullins IRE/Mr Patrick Mullins

8) 14-2F44 BIG FELLA THANKS  9-11-01  Crossed Fingers Partnership Ferdy Murphy/Graham Lee

9) 205-244 THE TOTHER ONE (IRE) 10-11-00  Graham Roach  Paul Nicholls/Mr Ryan Mahon

10) 111-112 BALLABRIGGS (IRE)  10-11-00  Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain/Jason Maguire

 11) 3133-21 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) 10-10-13 Susannah Ricci  Willie Mullins IRE/Ruby Walsh

12) 20P-F50 NICHE MARKET (IRE)  10-10-13 Graham Regan  Paul Nicholls/Harry Skelton

13) 121-001 SILVER BY NATURE  9-10-12 Geoff Brown  Lucinda Russell/Peter Buchanan

14) 0BP-500 BACKSTAGE (FR)  9-10-12 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE/Paul Carberry

15) 11-053F  CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 11-10-12 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt/Paddy Aspell

16) 4-56242 CALGARY BAY (IRE)  8-10-10 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight/Hadden Frost

17) 2P-2536 KILLYGLEN (IRE)  9-10-10 David McCammon Stuart Crawford IRE/Robert Power

18) 152-263 OSCAR TIME (IRE) 10-10-09 Robert Waley-Cohen/Sir Martin & S Broughton Martin Lynch IRE/ Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

19) 10-1131 QUINZ (FR)   7-10-08 Andrew Cohen  Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson

20) 500423 NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 10-10-08 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE/Barry Geraghty

 21) 2212-42 BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) 8-10-08 Noel Glynn  Noel Glynn IRE/Davy Russell

22) 000-06P COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 12-10-08 David Johnson  David Pipe/Timmy Murphy

23) F-FF25P QUOLIBET (FR)  7-10-08 J P McManus  Jonjo O’Neill/Mark Walsh

24) 1FP10P GRAND SLAM HERO (IRE) 10-10-07 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies/Aidan Coleman

25) 6/454-P6  ROLL ALONG (IRE)  11-10-07 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies/Wayne Hutchinson

26) 0/144/P3- STATE OF PLAY  11-10-06 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams/Paul Moloney

27) 11-11P5 KING FONTAINE (IRE)  8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson/Denis O’Regan

28) U-3431U  IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 11-10-05 Westerly Breeze Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE/Leighton Aspell

29) 005P-1P HELLO BUD (IRE)  13-10-05 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies

30) P/00-11P WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 9-10-05  Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King/Robert Thornton

 31) 200010 SANTA'S SON (IRE)  11-10-05 Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont Howard Johnson/Jamie Moore

32) C21-046 BLUESEA CRACKER (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus         James Motherway IRE/Andrew McNamara

33) 01050 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR)  11-10-04 Don't Tell Henry Martin Todhunter/James Reveley

34) P2/111/-0 SURFACE TO AIR  10-10-04 Tim Urry  Chris Bealby/Tom Messenger

35) P-234PP PIRAYA (FR)   8-10-04 Terry Neill  David Pipe/Johnny Farrelly

36) 6F-0P5P CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 9-10-04 J P McManus  Jonjo O'Neill/Richie McLernon

37) 0-30563 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn/Miss Nina Carberry

38) 15/1P/-52  ORNAIS (FR)   9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls/Nick Scholfield

39) U2U-0P2 ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus  Willie Mullins IRE/David Casey

40) 013111- OUR MONTY (IRE)  8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE/Ms Katie Walsh

 41) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR)  12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/Paul Gallagher

42) 313-011 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE)  10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards/Dominic Elsworth

43) 210010 GOLDEN KITE (IRE)  9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan Adrian Maguire IRE/Shane Hassett

44) 006004 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen/???

45) 321112 PUTNEY BRIDGE  9-10-01 Louise Goldsworthy Keith Goldsworthy/???

46) 4/22-1PP  BELON GALE (IRE)  8-10-01 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson/???

47) 402P-02 FAASEL (IRE)   10-10-01 Jim Ennis   David Pipe/???

48) 02043P LE BEAU BAI (FR)  8-10-01 Glass Half Full  Richard Lee/???

49) D61-0F0 MERIGO (FR)   10-10-01 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker/???

50) 6-02162 ASKTHEMASTER (IRE) 11-10-00 Carrolle Wall  Robert Tyner IRE/???

 51) 11P61/0/- STARZAAN (IRE)  12-10-00 Ben Arbib  Hughie Morrison/???

52) 123-P22 GILES CROSS (IRE)  9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall/???

53) 1U0-660 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 9-10-00 Billy Moffett/R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE/???

54) 1-PP11P SAGALYRIQUE (FR)  7-9-13  Sir Robert Ogden Donald McCain/???

55) U0-6042 AMBOBO (USA)  11-9-13 Deirdre Brassil  Martin Brassil IRE/???

56) 241P64 DUERS (IRE)   9-9-13  Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE/???

57) 11120-P TOBY JUG   10-9-13 Paul & Caron Chapman & Sarah Humphrey Sarah Humphrey/???

58) 131-321 JUNIOR   8-9-12  Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe/???

59) 064260  THE SAWYER (BEL)  11-9-12 David Fear  Bob Buckler/???

60) 2613-PP GALANT NUIT (FR)  7-9-12  David Parry  Ferdy Murphy/???

 61) 044522  BALLYFITZ   11-9-09 Fred & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies/???

62) F4-5365 POMME TIEPY (FR)  8-9-09  Susannah Ricci  Willie Mullins IRE/???

63) 24U344 I'MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) 8-9-09  Fred Matthews  Neil Mulholland/???

64) 116PP-P TREACLE (IRE)  10-9-04 Bjorn Nielsen  Tom Taaffe IRE/???

65) P23221  REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 10-9-02  Janet Heler  Tom George/???

 The order of elimination was decided on Monday afternoon by Phil Smith, Head of Handicapping at the British Horseracing Authority.

 The declared runners will be known on Thursday morning and there will be four reserves which have to be utilised by 9am on Friday morning.

 65 five-day confirmations

20 Irish-trained

The nine horses who did not go forward at Monday’s five-day stage were Midnight Chase, Synchronised, Scotsirish, Notre Pere, Ballytrim, Nedzer’s Return, Frankie Figg, One Cool Cookie and Dev.