Grand National 2014

I think Colbert Station is worth another chance, was in the hunt when unseating and will have less weight this year. AP will have a raft of decent McManus horses to choose from but it would speak volumes if he opts for CS again. 20/1 isn’t a wonderful price at this early stage but is my number one at the moment.

Colbert Station went out like a light at the weekend, Rich. I’d be surprised if it was just down to a lack of fitness.

I agree he didn’t see out the race very well at Leopardstown after travelling reasonably well, but I’m willing to give him another shot over further. Whether he’ll have another prep run before April I’m not sure, or indeed he’ll go for the race again, so probably not wise to have a bet just yet.

I don’t think Rocky Creek is mature enough to be a contender this year personally, I’d be looking at a battle hardened 10 year old proven over 3 miles plus which the recent trends back up. Who fits that bill I’ll have to look at!

I’ve noticed that Aurora’s Encore has run with unusual enthusiasm this season, despite finishing unplaced. The National can break many horses – AE isn’t one of them by the look of things and might well be worth a bet come April.

yes he certainly has been running well this season, I thought the same to

I do love Balthazar king but last year he just went to fast and ran out of steam, I think his main aim is Cheltenham before they think about Aintree, though he will be entered

vf

Well, that’s got me flumoxed. Bog Warrior is interesting has he still got a Gold Cup entry? Supposedly recovered from his injury of last year. And Massini’s Maguire. Also Dr Newland and Fergal have horses entered. Question is, if Long Run does run which horses will be in the handicap?? I thought Swing Bill had been retired, so was surprised to see him running still this year. Will no doubt run another decent race.

The 2014 crabbies grand national contenders =

1) 121-1532 TIDAL BAY (IRE) 13-11-10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls

2) 132-54U1 LONG RUN (FR) 9-11-09 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson

3) 13-606045 HUNT BALL (IRE) 9-11-07 Atlantic Equine Nicky Henderson

4) 15) 301-1311 TRIOLO D’ALENE (FR) 7-11-06 Sandy & Caroline Orr Nicky Henderson

5) 1113-22 ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 8-11-05 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls

6) 145-F405 QUITO DE LA ROQUE (FR) 10-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Colm Murphy IRE

7) 1U-03U0 COLBERT STATION (IRE) 10-11-00 J P McManus Ted Walsh IRE

8 – 22P52-U4 WALKON (FR) 9-11-00 McNeill Family Alan King

9) 20P-1111 BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) 10-10-13 The Brushmakers Philip Hobbs

10) P06-52P WAYWARD PRINCE 10-10-13 John & Mrs Hilary Parrott Hilary Parrott

11) -450311 MR MOONSHINE (IRE) 10-10-12 Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont & David van der Hoeven Sue Smith

12) 06203-02 TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 10-10-12 Conyers, O’Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis

13) 010-501U ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) 10-10-11 Scotch Piper Syndicate Donald McCain

14) F11111 DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) 8-10-11 J P McManus Martin Brassil IRE

15) 11-1PRP BATTLE GROUP 9-10-10 Jolly Boys Outing Johnny Farrelly

16) 65-0510 BUCKERS BRIDGE (IRE) 8-10-10 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE

17) 11/PP-501 LION NA BEARNAI (IRE) 12-10-10 The Lock Syndicate Tom Gibney IRE

18) 12-3004 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 11-10-10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

19) 13P-341 MONBEG DUDE (IRE) 9-10-09 Oydunow Michael Scudamore

20) 1/F0211-20 BIG SHU (IRE) 9-10-08 H Duffy/R J Robinson/Miss C M Woods Peter Maher IRE

21) 42/-500P0 BURTON PORT (IRE) 10-10-08 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O’Neill

22) 0P/124-050 OUR FATHER (IRE) 8-10-08 The Ives & Johnson Families David Pipe

23) 241-3315 MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) 9-10-07 Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter Richard Lee

24) 44UP-261 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 10-10-07 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership Kim Bailey

25) 2P-1262 VINTAGE STAR (IRE) 8-10-07 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith

26) 0400-1P4 CHANCE DU ROY (FR) 10-10-06 Miss I D Du Pre Philip Hobbs

27) 212P-426 HAWKES POINT 9-10-06 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls

28) 2-44110 KRUZHLININ (GER) 7-10-06 Paul & Clare Rooney Donald McCain

29) 35F201 PINEAU DE RE (FR) 11-10-06 J A Provan Dr Richard Newland

30) 01R03/3- GOLAN WAY 10-10-05 W R B Racing 58 Tim Vaughan

31) 125010 TWIRLING MAGNET (IRE) 8-10-05 Gay Smith Jonjo O’Neill

32) 302-FU0 VESPER BELL (IRE) 8-10-05 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

33) 5/4/14PP-0 THE PACKAGE 11-10-04 The Johnson Family David Pipe

34) 15211-P0 RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 9-10-03 Dessie Hughes Dessie Hughes IRE

35)114P-01 ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) 9-10-03 Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners David O’Meara

36) 0/11220/-6P0 SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM (IRE) 10-10-03 Liam Breslin Nicky Henderson

37) 6R3-51P ALVARADO (IRE) 9-10-02 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O’Brien]

38) 51433-0 LAST TIME D’ALBAIN (FR) 10-10-02 Fontstown Syndicate Liam Cusack IRE

39) 23-F3P4 ONE IN A MILAN (IRE) 9-10-02 Paul Langford Evan Williams

40) 14406-5 SWING BILL (FR) 13-10-01 Halewood International Ltd David Pipe

Well, at least we know who Ryan will be riding now. Has there ever [recently] been a year where we lost the National winner after he’d won? I think if AE had been pts I would have struggled with the rest of the season

Sire Collognes and Rocky Creek suddenly become very interesting with Nicholls able to manipulate the weights with Tidal Bay.