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Ladbrokes Guide To All The National Runners

Backbeat
Age: 11 Very much his trainer's second string for the big race, Backbeat is lightly raced for an eleven-year-old, having had just seventeen runs in an injury-prone career. A surprise winner at Sandown in January (starting price of 28/1), but unlikely to be in the frame on Saturday.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: J Howard Johnson
Jockey: Wilson Renwick



Baily Breeze
Age: 9 Baily Breeze will make his English debut in Saturday’s Grand National and it should be worth taking note of the positive vibes coming from Mouse Morris. The trainer is unperturbed at both trip and fences and, if the ground is good, expect the nine-year-old to travel well. A worthy outside punt.
Weight: 10-11
Trainer: M F Morris
Jockey: Paddy Flood



Bewleys Berry
Age: 10 A faller in last year's race, but a good second behind Mr Pointment last November established the ten-year-old as a leading contender for this renewal. Howard Johnson has yet to win the Grand National despite picking up many other big prizes in recent seasons. This could be the year his luck changes.
Weight: 11-0
Trainer: J Howard Johnson
Jockey: Denis O'Regan



Black Apalachi
Age: 9 Having his first run in England since the 2006 Cheltenham Festival, when sixth in the Kim Muir. Hasn't won a race since December 2005 and is unlikely to do much about that record at Aintree on Saturday.
Weight: 10-8
Trainer: D T Hughes
Jockey: Andrew McNamara



Bob Hall
Age: 7 After pulling up on his last outing in the William Hill Trophy, Jonjo O’Neill will be hoping for no such ills from Bob Hall at Aintree. The JP McManus owned seven-year-old may struggle with the length of a Grand National trip, but cannot be completely ignored.
Weight: 10-11
Trainer: Jonjo O´Neill
Jockey: Noel Fehily



Butlers Cabin
Age: 8 Has JP McManus finally got a Grand National winner on his hands? No eight-year-old has won this race since 1990, but this bay gelding, a winner on his only run at Aintree (albeit eighteen months ago), could be one to buck the trend.
Weight: 11-3
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
Jockey: A P McCoy



Chelsea Harbour
Age: 8 After winning the Punchestown Grand National trial on testing ground in highly impressive fashion, there are plenty of things to like about Thomas Mullins Chelsea Harbour. The trainer can’t stop raving about his eight-year-old and, with Davy Russell on board, a solid finish should be the least that is expected.
Weight: 11-2
Trainer: Thomas Mullins
Jockey: Davy Russell



Cloudy Lane
Age: 8 Winner on his last three outings, Cloudy Lane is the big favourite for this year's race. Trainer Donald McCain is the son of Grand National legend Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum to three wins in the 1970s and Amberleigh House in 2004.
Weight: 10-11
Trainer: D McCain Jnr
Jockey: Jason Maguire



Comply Or Die
Age: 9 Second behind Cloudy Lane at Haydock in December, but a winner at Newcastle on his last outing six weeks ago. That latter performance was over 4m 1f, suggesting that the Grand National trip shouldn't hold any fears for this David Pipe trained gelding.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: D E Pipe
Jockey: Timmy Murphy



Contraband
Age: 10 Of all of the 2008 Grand National contenders on show, Contraband appears to be one of those who is up against it the most. The ten-year-old has won Graded races in the past though and anything can happen on the day at Aintree!
Weight: 11-0
Trainer: Paul Murphy
Jockey: Keith Mercer



Cornish Rebel
Age: 11 Cornish Rebel has brought punters plenty of joy down the years, but age is catching up with Derek Laverty's mount and this weekend's Aintree showpiece may prove a bridge too far. John Halewood's horse has not won since January 2007 and may find it tough.
Weight: 10-12
Trainer: Mrs L Williamson
Jockey: Derek Laverty



Cornish Sett
Age: 9 Despite being a more than capable jumper, Mick Fitzgerald has been unable to get the best out of Cornish Sett since taking the reigns from Ruby Walsh. Nick Scholfield will be in the saddle on Saturday though as the nine-year-old looks to improve from a disappointing performance in the Welsh National.
Weight: 10-10
Trainer: P F Nicholls
Jockey: Nick Scholfield



D'Argent
Age: 10 Having held off Philson Run to win a high quality contest at Warwick in January, Robert Thornton will feel that he has a good as chance as any to triumph onboard D´Argent at Aintree. Alan King's raider could prove a good bet each-way, but question marks surround his stamina.
Weight: 10-12
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Robert Thornton



Fundamentalist
Age: 10 Stable jockey Paddy Brennan has opted to ride Fundamentalist in the 2008 Grand National – is that a sign of intent? We will soon see as the jockey looks to complete his first Grand National at the third attempt in 2008. Twiston-Davies knows how to win this race, saddling the winner in 1998 and 2002.
Weight: 11-4
Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Paddy Brennan



Hedgehunter
Age: 12 The 2005 winner is back for yet another crack at the big prize. This will be his fifth run in the race, having come ninth last year, second in 2006 and falling at the last in 2004. Jockey Ruby Walsh is going for his third Grand National victory.
Weight: 11-12
Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh



Hi Cloy
Age: 11 As the carrier of the top weight along with Hedgehunter, will Hi Cloy have enough in the tank to defy the handicapper? The Irish raider will be boarded by Tom Doyle and, with a host of Grade 1 victories - including the Melling Chase at Aintree in 2006- under his belt, could be worth a look at big odds.
Weight: 11-12
Trainer: Michael Hourigan
Jockey: Tom Doyle



Idle Talk
Age: 9 Stablemate of Grand National favourite Cloudy Lane, Idle Talk will be hoping to emerge from the shadows in Saturday’s National. The temperamental nine-year-old unseated Jason Maguire last year though and it is left to Brian Harding to get the best out of the former Gold Cup contender.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: D McCain Jnr
Jockey: Brian Harding



Iron Man
Age: 7 100/1 outsider to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month and was disappointingly pulled up, so questions have to be asked about his chances here. Has failed to finish in either of his two previous trips to Aintree, but he does have a Listed win to his name with a victory at Market Rasen in July last year.
Weight: 11-5
Trainer: P Bowen
Jockey: Christian Williams



Joaaci
Age: 8 After a disappointing run at Bangor in the company of class three horses last time out, Joacci has plenty to find if he is to figure in Saturday's Grand National. David Pipe's runner must recapture his form of 12 months ago to be in with any kind of chance.
Weight: 10-13
Trainer: D E Pipe
Jockey: Johnny Farrelly



Kelami
Age: 10 With stablemate L'Ami taking the lions share of publicity in regards to Francois Doumen's runners racing at Aintree, it is perhaps worthy to note that Kelami should not be ignored. On his day the French raider can mix it with the best of them and there is no reason why he can’t put in a good shift come Saturday.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: F Doumen
Jockey: Barry Keniry



King Johns Castle
Age: 9 Yet to run on this side of the Irish Sea, King Johns Castle won last time out at Naas and was second three times in a row before that. That win was only over 2m 3f, but the ground was very testing and stamina shouldn't be a problem.
Weight: 10-11
Trainer: A L T Moore
Jockey: P Carberry



Knowhere
Age: 10 Lightly raced ten-year-old who unseated his rider in the 2007 Grand National. Has a tough task this year carrying 11st 11lbs and is unlikely to emulate Bindaree, who carried the same colours to victory in 2002. On the credit side, he did win a Grade 2 race at Cheltenham earlier this year.
Weight: 11-11
Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Joe Tizzard



L'Ami
Age: 9 Having finished third in the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham recently, can L'Ami go all the way in Saturday's Aintree showpiece? Francis Doumen's raider was one of just 12 horses that finished last year's race and could be worth an each-way punt this time around.
Weight: 11-1
Trainer: Francois Doumen
Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald



Madison Du Berlais
Age: 7 As one of at least five David Pipe runners on display at Aintree, Madison Du Berlais may be one to keep an eye out for after an impressive fourth behind Denman in December. Has not been in the best of form since though but Tom Scudamore will be confident of getting the best out of the seven-year-old.
Weight: 11-9
Trainer: D E Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore



Mckelvey
Age: 9 Connections of last year's runner-up Mckelvey will be hoping that their Irish raider can go all the way this time around. Injuries may have blighted his preparations, but Tom O'Brien's mount has proven stamina at Aintree and can't be overlooked.
Weight: 11-0
Trainer: P Bowen
Jockey: Tom O'Brien



Milan Deux Mille
Age: 6 Owner Fergus Wilson boldly stated that Milan Deux Mille is 'a National horse and all roads lead to Aintree' six weeks ago, but will his raider remain in contention at the business end of the race? He still has much to prove and the four-mile plus trip will be testing to say the least.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: D E Pipe
Jockey: Tom Malone



Mon Mome
Age: 8 Mon Mome may be without a win in 10, but you will be hard pressed to find another horse with as much heart as the French ace. Vida Bingham decided not to enter the youngster last year, but he may well surprise a few if he competes this time around.
Weight: 10-11
Trainer: Miss Venetia Williams
Jockey: Aidan Coleman



Mr Pointment
Age: 9 Staked his claim with a one length victory over Bewleys Berry in the Becher Chase back in November. That race is run over the Grand National fences, so this form has to be respected, as does the fact that he is saddled by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and ridden by Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas.
Weight: 11-11
Trainer: P F Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Thomas



Nadover
Age: 7 After Nadover's poor showing at Chepstow recently it is hard to see how the French raider is going to make any impression in this weekend's Grand National. Noel Fehily's mount has one win to his name from his last eight outings and needs a slice of luck.
Weight: 10-9
Trainer: C J Mann
Jockey: Noel Fehily



Naunton Brook
Age: 9 After leading the first circuit of the 2007 Grand National before eventually pulling up, Nigel Twiston-Davies will be hoping Naunton Brook lasts a little longer this year. The nine-year-old is more than capable of staying the trip but questions about overall quality remain.
Weight: 10-10
Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies
Jockey: David England



No Full
Age: 7 Despite pulling up in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, No Full showed what he is capable of with a confidence boosting runner up spot at Navan last weekend. Eoin Doyle’s charge looked more than capable and has the potential to run well over Aintree’s famous fences.
Weight: 10-12
Trainer: Eoin Doyle
Jockey: Shay Barry



Opera Mundi
Age: 6 Beat Cloudy Lane in to fifth at Haydock last autumn but was pulled up on his next run, the good ground clearly not suiting. Having won over three miles on soft, the trip shouldn't hold too many fears, but inexperience - no runs at Aintree and just six starts over fences - is a worry.
Weight: 11-6
Trainer: P F Nicholls
Jockey: Liam Heard



Philson Run
Age: 12 Rewarded each-way backers last year with fourth place, 17 lengths behind the winner. Has only run twice since then, coming second at Warwick behind D'Argent and being brought down at Haydock in February. Stays all day and could be in the frame again this time.
Weight: 10-8
Trainer: N Williams
Jockey: Daryl Jacob



Point Barrow
Age: 10 After going off as the 8/1 joint jolly last year and falling, you could be forgiven for not wanting to touch Point Barrow with a barge pole this year. However his staying prowess make him an irresistible proposition for those willing to take a risk again!
Weight: 10-13
Trainer: P Hughes
Jockey: Tony Dobbin



Simon
Age: 9 Running well when falling six out in last year's race, Simon has a great chance this year. Was fourth in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February, a run which suggests there's more to come. Has a decent strike rate, winning five of his 17 races over fences.
Weight: 11-7
Trainer: J L Spearing
Jockey: Dominic Elsworth



Slim Pickings
Age: 9 Third in last year's National, Slim Pickings is Ireland's big hope for 2008. A possible worry might be that he's not been in the winner's enclosure for nearly two years, but form over the National fences is crucial and there will be more than a few euros placed on Tom Taaffe's charge this time around.
Weight: 11-3
Trainer: T J Taaffe
Jockey: Barry Geraghty



Snowy Morning
Age: 8 Can David Casey stay aboard Snowy Morning at Aintree? The Irish jockey has finished the race only twice in eight attempts, but Willie Mullins’ raider has shown pedigree at Fairyhouse and Punchestown towards the back end of last year to be worthy of serious consideration.
Weight: 11-1
Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: David Casey



Tumbling Dice
Age: 9 With a name like this, he could be a popular selection amongst Rolling Stones fans! Won a Grade 2 chase at Cork way back in December 2006, but there has been little since to suggest he will be a contender on Saturday.
Weight: 10-10
Trainer: T J Taaffe
Jockey: Tom Ryan



Turko
Age: 6 No six-year-old has won this famous steeplechase since 1915, so Turko certainly has history against him. On the plus side, he is saddled by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and has been in the first three on seven of his ten starts over fences.
Weight: 11-10
Trainer: P F Nicholls
Jockey: Richard Johnson



Vodka Bleu
Age: 9 Two wins from five this season (at Ascot and Cheltenham), although the three reverses were all by some distance. However, this nine-year-old is a dangerous lurker in the betting and has received plenty of support so far.
Weight: 11-2
Trainer: D E Pipe
Jockey: Paul Moloney

 Sandracer @ 8:00 am, April 04, 2008  

Country Of The Winner Odds @ Ladbrokes

Great Britain 4/9
Ireland 7/4
France 25/1

 Sandracer @ 8:08 am, April 04, 2008  

Winning Weight Odds

11st3lbs and above 7/4
10st12lbs - 11st2lbs 5/2
10st11lbs and below 6/5

 Sandracer @ 8:09 am, April 04, 2008  

Age Of The Winner

6 Year Old 20/1
7 Year Old 25/1
8 Year Old 9/4
9 Year Old 11/10
10 Year Old 5/1
11 Year Old 25/1
12 Year Old 14/1

 Sandracer @ 8:10 am, April 04, 2008  

Match Betting

Grand National Match Bet - Kings John Castle vs Mr Pointment


Kings John Castle 5/6
Mr Pointment 5/6




Grand National Match Bet - Point Barrow vs Philson Run

Point Barrow 4/5
Philson Run evens




Grand National Match Bet - Comply Or Die Vs Simon

Comply Or Die 5/6
Simon 5/6





Grand National Match Bet - Chelsea Harbour vs Bewleys Berry


Chelsea Harbour 5/6
Bewleys Berry 5/6

 Sandracer @ 8:12 am, April 04, 2008  

Winning Trainer Odds

D Pipe 6/1
P Nicholls 7/1
W Mullins 10/1
N Twiston-Davies 20/1

 Sandracer @ 8:13 am, April 04, 2008  

Winning Owner

T Hemmings 7/2
JP McManus 7/1

 Sandracer @ 8:13 am, April 04, 2008  

Odds For An Irish 1-2-3

Yes 25/1
No - No Offer

 Sandracer @ 8:15 am, April 04, 2008