The allocation of weights for the National marks a pivotal point for the prospects of trainers, jockeys, owners and punters. It can clear the path to big-race glory or produce a burden too heavy to overcome.
Unlike the other most prestigious steeplechase of the year, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Grand National is a handicap race. This means horses carry differing weights according to their previous form. The idea behind a handicap is to make for a more even race - the handicapper's ultimate (though in practice unfeasible) aim is for the horses to pass the winning post in a dead heat.
The Grand National is the only race in which the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping Phil Smith can use his discretion to determine the weight each horse will carry.
The "best" horse in the race is given the top weight (about 11st 12lb) and the weights allotted to the other horses are set in relation to this. This means if the top-weighted horse drops out, the weights of the other competitors may alter but will not change in relation to each other.
Even if a horse is allotted a weight of 8st 12lbs, it must carry 10 stone as this is the required minimum. This means some horses will be carrying possibly a stone more than they should be (known as being out of the handicap) and this disadvantage should suggest they are likely to perform less well than their rivals. Many punters will automatically put a line through horses out of the handicap.
In allocating a weight to each horse, handicapper Phil Smith must take a variety of factors into account, including form - a horse's recent and previous performances - and the course: the so-called 'Aintree Factor' - does the horse like the track and is he proven over long trips?
Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais and Notre Pere jointly head the handicap on 11st 10lb in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National following the unveiling of the weights.
The weights were announced today (16/02/10) in London at the Official Launch of the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National attended by connections of many of the leading contenders and such is the quality of this year’s entry that only 14 of the 111 remaining entries are not currently in the handicap.
Antepost favourite Tricky Trickster, winner of Saturday’s AON Chase at Newbury, has been allotted 11st 4lb, the same weight as the Newbury runner-up Niche Market, winner of last season’s Irish Grand National.
There are three former John Smith’s Grand National winners in the 2010 race of whom Mon Mome, who sprang a 100/1 shock last year, is the highest-weighted on 11st 7lb. He carried 11st to victory in the 2009 running, from which the first six home are all entered again.
Comply Or Die, who won the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National off 10st 9lb, has been allotted 11st 5lb this year, 1lb less than he carried when finishing second to Mon Mome last season. Silver Birch, who carried 10st 6lb to victory in 2007, has been given 10st 5lb this year.
Irish-trained raiders have enjoyed a great recent run in the John Smith’s Grand National, winning six of the last 11 renewals, and there are 38 entries bidding to add to that record this season.
Silver Birch’s trainer Gordon Elliott has aimed Backstage at the Aintree showpiece all season and the eight-year-old has been allotted 11st. Jimmy Mangan, successful in the 2003 John Smith’s Grand National with Monty’s Pass, is represented by Thyestes Handicap Chase winner Whinstone Boy (10st 4lb) and the 11-year-old Conna Castle (10st 9lb).
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five entries as he bids to win the John Smith’s Grand National for a first time. As well as Tricky Trickster, they include Big Fella Thanks (10st 12lb), who finished sixth under 11st 1lb last year, and recent Grade Two Argento Chase winner Taranis (11st 9lb).
Other leading contenders include Welsh National winner Dream Alliance (11st 3lb), the Dessie Hughes-trained Black Apalachi (11st 6lb), Possol (11st 3lb) who has been kept over hurdles so far this season and John Quinn's Character Building (10st, 11lb) - winner of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival.
Julian Thick, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, commented: “It is unprecedented to have 87 per cent of the field in the handicap for the John Smith’s Grand National and it is fantastic that such a high-class field will line up on Saturday, April 10, in what will be the most valuable Jump race ever run in Britain with £925,000 in prize money.”
Class 1, Grade 3, £925,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 10, 2010, 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 14, 2010. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at February 2, 2010, 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 14, 2010, 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 14, 2010. 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 2, entries revealed February 3 (112 entries. 1 subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 16, first scratchings deadline March 2, second scratchings deadline March 23. Five/six-day confirmation stage April 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, February 14.
Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
1) 03-P136 ALBERTAS RUN (IRE) 9-11-10 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
2) 101-324 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 9-11-10 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe
3) 12-1F544 NOTRE PERE (FR) 9-11-10 Tilly Conway Jim Dreaper IRE
4) 12/14P/-1 TARANIS (FR) 9-11-09 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls
5) 4-61r01 OUR VIC (IRE) 12-11-08 David Johnson David Pipe
6) 001-P34 MON MOME (FR) 10-11-07 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams
7) P151U-0 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 11-11-06 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE
8) 15-5003 JOE LIVELY (IRE) 11-11-06 Richard Dimond Colin Tizzard
9) 0-21150 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 10-11-06 James Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE
10) 1/P002-0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 11-11-05 David Johnson David Pipe
11) 201-423 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE) 10-11-05 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
12) 231110- IRISH INVADER (IRE) 9-11-05 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
13) 43-3U240 MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE) 8-11-04 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE
14) 401-0352 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 9-11-04 Graham Regan Bob Buckler
15) 22121-21 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 7-11-04 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
16) P15P-14 CASEY JONES (IRE) 9-11-03 Gillian Burke Noel Meade IRE
17) 31FU-36 CLOUDY LANE 10-11-03 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr
18) PUPP/-21 DREAM ALLIANCE 9-11-03 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs
19) 1P00-60 NOZIC (FR) 9-11-03 Sam Mcvie Paul Nicholls
20) 3201-11 POSSOL (FR) 7-11-03 Neville Statham Henry Daly
21) F3-13233 SIEGEMASTER (IRE) 9-11-03 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE
22) 553-205 MY WILL (FR) 10-11-02 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
23) 3606-4F PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 9-11-02 Joe Moran David Pipe
24) r-04205 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 9-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE
25) P230411 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 11-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
26) 0112313 BACKSTAGE (FR) 8-11-00 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
27) P6-5111 BALLYHOLLAND (IRE) 9-11-00 Cathal McGovern Colin McBratney IRE
28) FP-1P1P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 9-11-00 New Club Ladies Nigel Twiston-Davies
29) 100-000 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 10-11-00 John O'Donohue/Tom O'Leary Tom O'Leary IRE
30) 212//U1-2(1)(1) ROULEZ COOL 7-11-00 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen
31) 5-31110 BERONI (IRE) 8-10-13 Margaret O'Rourke Willie Mullins IRE
32) 314F-01 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 8-10-13 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
33) 1P1-0131 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 7-10-13 Glass Half Full Richard Lee
34) 11411P SEVEN IS MY NUMBER (IRE) 8-10-13 David Johnson David Pipe
35) 110322 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 10-10-13 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
36) 22506-P3 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 8-10-12 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann
37) 2U136-2U BIG FELLA THANKS 8-10-12 Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
38) 3P///3P10- DARKNESS 11-10-12 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton
39) 113-412 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 7-10-12 Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins IRE
40) 4/2D133- LOUPING D'AINAY (FR) 11-10-12 Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR
41) 143301-0 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 10-10-11 Mrs E Wright John Quinn
42) F0-5260 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 10-10-11 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE
43) 02U-301 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 9-10-11 Thomas Gilligan Willie Mullins IRE
44) P2-205P0 GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 10-10-11 Gary Lever Jeremy Scott
45) 4116-6P KORNATI KID 8-10-11 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
46) 60/144-P STATE OF PLAY 10-10-11 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
47) 00-1210 ELLERSLIE GEORGE (IRE) 10-10-10 Guy Henderson Nick Mitchell
48) 112130- FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) 7-10-10 Cavan Developments Bloodstock Oliver McKiernan IRE
49) 45-1552 JAYO (FR) 7-10-10 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE
50) 11U36U ROYAL COUNTY STAR (IRE) 11-10-10 Dunsany Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
51) 2P-4P15 BALLYFITZ 10-10-09 Fred Mills & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies
52) 043545 CONNA CASTLE (IRE) 11-10-09 Kings Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
53) P23-15P EQUUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 10-10-09 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
54) 02P5-01 ERIC'S CHARM (FR) 12-10-09 Martin St Quinton & Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood
55) 212/0-00 KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 11-10-09 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
56) 0F2-3054 OLLIE MAGERN 12-10-09 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
57) 330-30U ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 8-10-08 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
58) 03-635P CANE BRAKE (IRE) 11-10-08 Mount Temple Racing Sydicate Tom Taaffe IRE
59) 6126-23 KILCREA CASTLE (IRE) 8-10-08 Michael O'Driscoll Emma Lavelle
60) 36244/-66 LENNON (IRE) 10-10-08 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
61) 02P-253 MALJIMAR (IRE) 10-10-08 Jane Williams Nick Williams
62) 0/1P025/- NEW ALCO (FR) 9-10-08 D McGowan & S Murphy Ferdy Murphy
63) 6FF-1FU0 BIBLE LORD (IRE) 9-10-07 Martin Tedham Andy Turnell
64) U01-4U5 IRISH RAPTOR (IRE) 11-10-07 Caroline Beresford-Wylie Nigel Twiston-Davies
65) 6P/6220- MR POINTMENT (IRE) 11-10-07 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
66) F-051FP PARSONS PISTOL (IRE) 8-10-07 Robert Bagnall Noel Meade IRE
67) 000-3301 PIRAYA (FR) 7-10-07 Terry Neill David Pipe
68) 13-01240 RAZOR ROYALE (IRE) 8-10-07 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies
69) 03-0231 THE PACKAGE 7-10-07 David Johnson David Pipe
70) 11-035B HELLO BUD (IRE) 12-10-06 Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies
71) P31314/-5 IRIS DE BALME (FR) 10-10-06 Lee Power & Geoff Peck Sean Curran
72) 1P6-142 PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) 7-10-06 Alan Halsall Charlie Longsdon
73) 11P/11-1 TRUST FUND (IRE) 12-10-06 Lord Daresbury Richard Barber
74) 23/32-31 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE) 9-10-05 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
75) 50PP/05- CERIUM (FR) 9-10-05 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy
76) P63/52-P FLINTOFF (USA) 9-10-05 Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams
77) 4/1PF-50 PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 12-10-05 Rodney Offer Philip Hobbs
78) 56/-33P5 ROYAL ROSA (FR) 11-10-05 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
79) 0F-26r2 SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 13-10-05 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE
80) 2F0-226 COE (IRE) 8-10-04 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
81) 4211-544 GLENFINN CAPTAIN (IRE) 11-10-04 J P McManus Tom Taaffe IRE
82) P-3PP46 KNOWHERE (IRE) 12-10-04 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
83) 3025-056 OODACHEE 11-10-04 Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
84) P4F1311 WHINSTONE BOY (IRE) 9-10-04 Whinstone Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE
85) 0P03-40 FAASEL (IRE) 9-10-03 Hush Hush Partnership David Pipe
86) 30-01233 MUMBLES HEAD (IRE) 9-10-03 Karen Bowen Peter Bowen
87) P/1r40P- OFFICIER DE RESERVE (FR) 8-10-03 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams
88) 456-232 SIZING AUSTRALIA (IRE) 8-10-03 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
89) 1/1///P6-4 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 12-10-03 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
90) 115-300 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 10-10-02 Maurice Chapman Jimmy Moffatt
91) 111P20 DUERS (IRE) 8-10-02 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE
92) P01-1U0 BALLYTRIM (IRE) 9-10-01 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
93) 20-0U00 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 10-10-01 Brian Polly Charlie Swan IRE
94) 0/-P220P PAK JACK (FR) 10-10-01 The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips
95) 51-63F3 BOYCHUK (IRE) 9-10-00 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
96) 366//4-54 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 10-10-00 Maine Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE
97) 1/3F-116 TREACLE (IRE) 9-10-00 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE
98) 145-261 GALANT NUIT (FR) 6-9-13 David Parry Ferdy Murphy
99) 00F421 ANOTHERCOPPERCOAST (IRE)10-9-12 Eileen Queally Paul Roche IRE
100) 31F4-22 BELON GALE (IRE) 7-9-12 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
101) 45-0600 POMME TIEPY (FR) 7-9-12 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
102) 61021-02D MERIGO (FR) 9-9-10 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker
103) 53414-00 CHIARO (FR) 8-9-09 Andrew Cohen Philip Hobbs
104) 2P6-53PP KILBEGGAN BLADE 11-9-09 Kevin & Anne Doocey Tom George
105) 5/44-U335 ACCORDING TO JOHN (IRE) 10-9-08 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Richards
106) 24-512P0 LORUM LEADER (IRE) 9-9-07 Dr Richard & Laura Newland Dr Richard Newland
107) 2214/-0PP OLD BENNY 9-9-07 Trevor Hemmings Alan King
108) 1342/-0PP OVER THE CREEK 11-9-04 David Johnson David Pipe
109) 253-346 COSSACK DANCER (IRE) 12-9-01 The United Front Partnership Mark Bradstock
110) 0/13P/-FP5 WEE ROBBIE 10-9-00 P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd Nick Gifford
111) 2U1/P6P-4 OFFALY (IRE) 9-8-12 The Pole to Pole Partnership Pru Townsley
111 entries
38 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
THE FOLLOWING ENTRY HAS BEEN SCRATCHED: STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) (Retired)
The Grand National is a test of endurance and horses rarely win carrying more than 11 stone.