Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 – Entries are unveiled today for the 2021 Randox Grand National, staged over four miles, two furlongs, 74 yards and over 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, 10 April. This year’s running will be the 173rd Grand National.

 

The latest two renewals of the world’s greatest chase in 2018 and 2019 have been landed by the mighty Tiger Roll (Gordon Elliott) and the now 11-year-old tops the 106 entries (one more than in 2020) this year. If successful for a third time in 2021, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Tiger Roll would become only the second triple Grand National winner after the great Red Rum (successful in 1973, 1974 and 1977). He is the 16/1 favourite with Betway, official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival. 

Tiger Roll’s trainer Gordon Elliott, who was also triumphant with Silver Birch in 2007, is the most successful current trainer in the Randox Grand National and one more victory would see him join Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain as the most successful Grand National handler of all time. Elliott, who is based in County Meath, Ireland, has 16 entries in total – the most of any trainer. His contingent also includes five-time G1 winner Delta Work (please see below for a full list of entries by trainer). 

Similarly, Tiger Roll’s second success in 2019 was a third for owner Gigginstown House Stud, with Michael O’Leary’s operation having also taken the honours in 2016 with Rule The World to make it the joint-most successful owner in the history of the Grand National. 

 

Trevor Hemmings also has three Grand National victories to his name courtesy of Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and Many Clouds (2015). His three entries in 2021 include impressive G3 Ladbrokes Trophy hero Cloth Cap (Jonjo O’Neill) as well as Lake View Lad (Nick Alexander), who took the G2 William Hill Many Clouds Chase over the Mildmay Course in December.

 

Of the 106 entries, 43 are trained in Ireland and two in France. The Randox Grand National has gone to Ireland on 27 occasions, most recently Tiger Roll in 2019. France has taken the honours twice, although you have to go back to Cortolvin (1867) for the most recent Gallic victory.

 

In addition to Tiger Roll, the 43 Irish-trained entries also include Magic Of Light (Jessica Harrington), runner-up in 2019, Anibale Fly (Tony Martin), who was fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019, 2019 G2 National Hunt Chase winner Any Second Now (Ted Walsh), Munster and Kerry National heroine Cabaret Queen (Willie Mullins), 2019 Irish Grand National victor Burrows Saint (Willie Mullins) and dual Cheltenham Festival winner Presenting Percy (Gordon Elliott).

 

Both French-trained entries hail from the yard of David Cottin and are headed by Easysland, who defeated Tiger Roll in the 2020 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham.

 

The Randox Grand National is the one major race to have eluded six-time and reigning champion Jump trainer Nicky Henderson, although the master of Seven Barrows has twice saddled the runner-up courtesy of Zongalero (1979) and The Tsarevich (1987). Henderson’s six entries this year, the most of any UK trainer, are headed by 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup second Santini and also include the intriguing OK Corral, a lightly-raced 11-year-old who has not been seen out since winning the Listed Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster just over a year ago.

Henderson’s great rival, 11-times champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls, landed the 2012 Grand National with Neptune Collonges. Nicholls’s two entries are Yala Enki, winner of the G3 Grand National Trial at Haydock Park in 2018 and impressive when scoring at Taunton last month, plus Listed scorer Give Me A Copper, who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

In contrast to Henderson and Nicholls, Phil Middleton trains just a handful of horses at his base in Buckinghamshire. These include Golan Fortune, a Listed winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in 2019 who has been more than paying his way over fences this season, including when a close fourth in G1 company at Kempton Park.

 

Middleton said of the nine-year-old: “Golan Fortune is in fine form and the Grand National is definitely the plan if he can get in.

 

“He is off a mark of 142. We had a horse called Exitas a few years back who narrowly missed out on making the cut for the race.

 

“So, we will have to wait and see when the weights come out if he gets in, but it is definitely something we are considering strongly.

 

“Golan Fortune has had a really good season. He won really impressively on his first chase start at Ludlow where he impressed me with his jumping. He produced some great leaps in the closing stages, and we were delighted with that effort.

 

“He then went to Kempton and ran a really good race to be fourth in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. He made a mistake at the last and Kielan Woods [jockey] thought that cost him any chance of finishing second or third. But to run like that in G1 company on his second start over fences was a fine effort.

 

“At Warwick last time, Kielan said he had a lot of horse underneath, but he made a mistake and it just dented his momentum. He was only beaten just over six lengths behind a smart horse in Next Destination.

 

“He is also entered in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but he wouldn’t run in that and the Grand National.

 

“I have always thought the Grand National test would suit him. He always schooled well over fences and has shown how he has taken to them this season. I think the trip would also be right up his street, so it would be fantastic to have a horse in the Grand National."

 

Trainer Tom George went close to Grand National glory in 2015 with Saint Are, who only found Many Clouds too good. The same horse was also a fine third in 2017 behind One For Arthur. George’s entry this year is Double Shuffle, who went close to G1 glory in 2017 when second to Might Bite in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. The 11-year-old was successful last time out when defeating fellow Randox Grand National aspirant Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson) in a three-mile handicap chase at Kempton Park on 9 January. Double Shuffle ran as a seven-year-old in the 2017 Randox Grand National, when he was pulled up behind One For Arthur.

 

Gloucestershire-based George commented: “Double Shuffle has come down a lot in the weights since his previous run in the Grand National and he is now off 145 but he should get into the National.

 

“The plan is to now go back to Kempton later this month for what was the Racing Post Chase [the G3 Close Brothers Handicap Chase on 27 February]. He worked really well on Tuesday morning.

 

“He seems to have bounced back to form and he was very good at Kempton last time, but part of that is down to him having come down in the weights to make him competitive again.”

 

The COVID-19 pandemic sadly caused the cancellation of the 2020 Randox Grand National, although Potters Corner (Christian Williams) gave his connections the satisfaction of being announced the winner of the virtual contest broadcast on ITV. Part-owned by Welsh rugby union international Jonathan Davies, Potters Corner landed the G3 Welsh Grand National in 2019 and shaped promisingly in his two starts this season, including when third in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November. Another entry from Wales is Secret Reprieve (Evan Williams), winner of this season’s G3 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

 

Other big names among the entries include Bristol de Mai (Nigel Twiston-Davies), three-time winner of the G1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, dual William Hill Becher Chase hero Vieux Lion Rouge (David Pipe), G3 Ultima Handicap Chase scorer The Conditional (David Bridgwater) and Yorkhill, a dual G1 winner at Cheltenham for his former handler Willie Mullins who bounced back to form last time out when taking the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle for current trainer Sandy Thomson. Yorkhill is partly owned by golfer Lee Westwood, who has represented Europe in 10 Ryder Cups and was named player of the year for 2020.

 

The Randox Grand National is the only race in the calendar where Martin Greenwood, BHA Jump Handicappers' Team Leader, is able to deviate from official ratings when allotting weights. The weights for the Randox Grand National will be announced on Tuesday, 16 February in a special broadcast on Racing TV.

 

Randox, the largest healthcare diagnostics company in the UK and Ireland, first sponsored the Grand National in 2017. A five-year extension to its sponsorship deal was announced at the end of 2021, taking its support of the world’s greatest chase up to at least 2026. Randox is also Official Healthcare Partner of The Jockey Club, which runs many of British Racing's crown jewel assets.

 

 

16/1 Tiger Roll

 

20/1 Any Second Now, Burrows Saint, Cloth Cap, Delta Work, Presenting Percy, Secret Reprieve

 

25/1 Easysland, Kimberlite Candy, Magic of Light, Potters Corner, Santini, The Conditional

 

28/1 Le Breuil

 

33/1 Ajas, Anibale Fly, Beau Bay, Brahma Bull, Bristol de Mai, Champagne Classic, Deise Aba, Jett, Lake View Lad, Minella Times, Run Wild Fred, The Jam Man, The Long Mile, Yala Enki

 

40/1 Acapella Bourgeois, Al Roc, Cabaret Queen, Canelo. Chris's Dream, Class Conti, Death Duty, Definitly Red, Discorama, Farclas, Fingerontheswitch, Jerrysback, Milan Native, Mister Malarky, Ok Corral, Pym, Robin des Foret, Saturnas, Shantou Flyer, St Barts, Takingrisks, Vieux Lion Rouge

 

50/1 A Toi Phil, Achille, Agusta Gold, Alpha des Obeaux, Ballyoptic, Battleoverdoyen, Bellow Mome, Bellshill, Beware The Bear, Double Shuffle, Dounikos, Fitzhenry, Flying Angel, Give Me A Copper, Glen Forsa, Hogan's Height, Hold The Note, Keeper Hill, Lord du Mesnil, Moyhenna, Musical Slave, Prime Venture, Roaring Bull, Shattered Love, Storm Control, The Storyteller, Tout Est Permis, Yorkhill

 

66/1 Aforementioned, Articulum, Aso, Blaklion, Cap du Nord, Captain Drake, Fagan, Golan Fortune, Gold Present, Minellacelebration, One Style, Plan of Attack, Some Neck, Soupy Soups, Talkischeap, Valtor

 

80/1 Another Venture, The Hollow Ginge

 

100/1 Ami Desbois, Crievehill, Hear No Evil, Kauto Riko, Monbeg Notorious, Rocky's Treasure, Saint Xavier, Sub Lieutenant, Treacysenniscorthy

 

Betway PR Manager Chad Yeomans: “Not only are there more entries than last year, but the quality of the race looks to have improved too, which is great to see for the world’s greatest steeple chase! 

 

“After the 12 months we have all had, it would be a fairy tale for horse racing if Tiger Roll were to win a third Grand National, and the Gordon Elliott trained 11-year-old is currently our 16/1 market leader. Cloth Cap and Any Second Now have both been popular with the Betway ante-post punters, with the former being backed for this race since his victory at Newbury in November.”

Aintree, 5.15pm, Saturday, 10 April, 2021. 4m 2f 74yds. For seven-year-olds and upwards, which, prior to March 23rd, have Started in a steeple chase during the current season, and have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeple chase with an official distance description of 'two miles seven and a half furlongs' or more, at any time during the horse's career. Horses must be also allotted a rating of 125 or more by the BHA Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 14th. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including 14 February would merit a minimum rating of 125. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 14th. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allotted a rating. Entries closed 2 February (106 entries), weights revealed 16 February, first scratchings deadline 2 March, second scratchings deadline 23 March, five-day confirmation stage 5 April, final declaration stage 8 April. Lowest weight 10st; highest weighy 11st 10lb. No penalties after publication of the weights. To be ridden by Jockeys or Amateur Riders who, before 8 April, 2021, have ridden not less than 15 winners in steeple chases or hurdle races under the Rules of Racing and/or the Rules of the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee and ridden not less than 10 of these winners in steeple chases.

A Toi Phil (FR) 11 Teme Valley 2 Gary Moore 

Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 

Achille (FR) 11 Mrs Vida Bingham Venetia Williams 

Aforementioned (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Agusta Gold (IRE) 8 K.Leavy/F.W.Healy/L.Cribbin/Ms Mullins Margaret Mullins IRE 

Ajas (FR) 7 Mr Ulf Sjoberg David Cottin FR 

Al Roc (FR) 10 Comedy Club Partnership Dr Richard Newland 

Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Ami Desbois (FR) 11 The Reserved Judgment Partnership Graeme McPherson 

Anibale Fly (FR) 11 Mr John P. McManus Tony Martin IRE 

Another Venture (IRE) 10 Racing For Maggie's Partnership Kim Bailey 

Any Second Now (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Ted Walsh IRE 

Articulum (IRE) 11 Martin McDonagh/Paul G Murphy/M J Nixon Terence O'Brien IRE 

Aso (FR) 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams 

Balko des Flos (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Ballyoptic (IRE) 11 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies 

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Beau Bay (FR) 10 Mr Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland Dr Richard Newland 

Bellow Mome (FR) 10 Mrs Audrey Turley Willie Mullins IRE 

Bellshill (IRE) 11 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Sandy Thomson 

Beware The Bear (IRE) 11 Mr G. B. Barlow Nicky Henderson 

Blaklion (GB) 12 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton 

Brahma Bull (IRE) 10 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 

Bristol de Mai (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies 

Burrows Saint (FR) 8 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 

Cabaret Queen (GB) 9 Syndicates Racing Willie Mullins IRE 

Canelo (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Alan King 

Cap du Nord (FR) 8 The Can't Say No Partnership Christian Williams 

Captain Drake (IRE) 8 Gary Stevens and Brian and Sandy Lambert Harry Fry 

Champagne Classic (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Chris's Dream (IRE) 9 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE 

Class Conti (FR) 9 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE 

Cloth Cap (IRE) 9 Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill 

Crievehill (IRE) 9 Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies 

Death Duty (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Definitly Red (IRE) 12 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison 

Deise Aba (IRE) 8 Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs 

Delta Work (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Discorama (FR) 8 Thomas Friel/Andrew Gemmell Paul Nolan IRE 

Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George 

Dounikos (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Easysland (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus David Cottin FR 

Fagan (GB) 11 Mr Ben Brackenbury Alex Hales 

Farclas (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 11 Cahill, Atwell & Crofts Neil Mulholland 

Fitzhenry (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nolan IRE

Flying Angel (IRE) 10 Mr R. J. Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies 

Give Me A Copper (IRE) 11 Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Paul Nicholls 

Glen Forsa (IRE) 9 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon 

Golan Fortune (IRE) 9 P Middleton, M Lowther Phil Middleton 

Gold Present (IRE) 11 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Nicky Henderson 

Hear No Evil (IRE) 9 Mr Patrick Joseph McCartan Noel Kelly IRE 

Hogan's Height (IRE) 10 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height Jamie Snowden 

Hold The Note (IRE) 7 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon 

Jerrysback (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs 

Jett (IRE) 10 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Jessica Harrington IRE 

Kauto Riko (FR) 10 Mr and Mrs J.Dale and Partners Tom Gretton 

Keeper Hill (IRE) 10 McNeill Family Warren Greatrex 

Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Tom Lacey 

Lake View Lad (IRE) 11 Mr Trevor Hemmings Nick Alexander 

Le Breuil (FR) 9 Mrs Emma Palmer Ben Pauling 

Lord du Mesnil (FR) 8 Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Richard Hobson 

Magic of Light (IRE) 10 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Jessica Harrington IRE 

Milan Native (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Minella Times (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead IRE

Minellacelebration (IRE) 11 Mr Nick Elliott Katy Price 

Mister Malarky (GB) 8 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard 

Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Moyhenna (IRE) 9 Mr R. V. Hennelly Denis Hogan IRE 

Musical Slave (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs 

Ok Corral (IRE) 11 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson 

One Style (FR) 11 The Four Bosses Venetia Williams 

Plan of Attack (IRE) 8 Mr A. Halsall Henry de Bromhead IRE

Potters Corner (IRE) 11 All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Christian Williams 

Presenting Percy (GB) 10 Philip J. Reynolds Gordon Elliott IRE 

Prime Venture (IRE) 10 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams 

Pym (IRE) 8 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson 

Roaring Bull (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Robin des Foret (IRE) 11 Byerley Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 

Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 10 Mr J. Perriss Kim Bailey 

Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Saint Xavier (FR) 9 Mr D. W. Fox Richard Hobson 

Santini (GB) 9 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson 

Saturnas (FR) 10 Mr Nick Peacock Willie Mullins IRE 

Secret Reprieve (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams 

Shantou Flyer (IRE) 11 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls 

Shattered Love (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Some Neck (FR) 10 Some Neck Partnership John McConnell IRE 

Soupy Soups (IRE) 10 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland 

St Barts (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Philip Hobbs 

Storm Control (IRE) 8 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee 

Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 12 Ms G. Howell Georgie Howell 

Takingrisks (IRE) 12 Mr Frank Bird Nicky Richards 

Talkischeap (IRE) 9 Mr Charles Dingwall Alan King 

The Conditional (IRE) 9 Mr P. J. Cave David Bridgwater 

The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 8 The Ginge Army Nigel Twiston-Davies 

The Jam Man (IRE) 8 Ronan M. P. McNally Ronan McNally IRE 

The Long Mile (GB) 7 Mr John P. McManus Philip Dempsey IRE

The Storyteller (IRE) 10 Mrs Pat Sloan Gordon Elliott IRE 

Tiger Roll (IRE) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 

Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 

Treacysenniscorthy (IRE) 9 Paula Widger Robert Widger IRE

Valtor (FR) 12 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson 

Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 12 Prof Caroline Tisdall & Mr John Gent David Pipe 

Yala Enki (FR) 11 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls 

Yorkhill (IRE) 11 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Sandy Thomson 

Aforementioned

Alpha des Obeaux

Battleoverdoyen 

Champagne Classic

Death Duty

Delta Work

Dounikos

Farclas

Milan Native

Monbeg Notorious 

Presenting Percy

Roaring Bull

Run Wild Fred 

Shattered Love

The Storyteller

Tiger Roll

 

Acapella Bourgeois

Bellow Mome 

Brahma Bull 

Burrows Saint 

Cabaret Queen 

Class Conti

Robin des Foret 

Saturnas 

Beware The Bear

Gold Present 

Ok Corral

Pym 

Santini

Valtor 

 

Ballyoptic 

Bristol de Mai 

Crievehill

Flying Angel 

The Hollow Ginge 

 

Balko des Flos

Chris's Dream

Minella Times

Plan of Attack 

 

Deise Aba

Jerrysback 

Musical Slave 

St Barts

 

Give Me A Copper

Shantou Flyer

Yala Enki

 

Achille

Aso

One Style 

Another Venture 

Rocky's Treasure 

 

Glen Forsa 

Hold The Note 

Ajas 

Easysland 

 

Jett 

Magic of Light 

 

Lord du Mesnil

Saint Xavier 

Canelo

Talkischeap 

 

Fingerontheswitch

Soupy Soups

Al Roc 

Beau Bay

 

Discorama

Fitzhenry 

 

Bellshill

Yorkhill 

Cap du Nord 

Potters Corner 

Prime Venture 

Secret Reprieve

Lake View Lad 

The Conditional

 

The Long Mile

Definitly Red

 

Captain Drake

 

Double Shuffle

 

Keeper Hill

 

Kauto Riko 

Fagan

Moyhenna

Sub Lieutenant 

 

Hear No Evil

 

Storm Control 

 

Kimberlite Candy

Anibale Fly

 

Some Neck

The Jam Man

 

Ami Desbois 

 

Tout Est Permis

 

Golan Fortune 

A Toi Phil

 

Agusta Gold

 

Articulum

 

Cloth Cap

 

Le Breuil

Vieux Lion Rouge

 

Minellacelebration

 

Takingrisks 

Blaklion

 

Hogan's Height

 

Mister Malarky

 

Any Second Now

 

Treacysenniscorthy

 

Aintree is home to The Randox Grand National, the most famous horse race in the world which is the climax to a three-day Festival meeting in April. The racecourse hosts five other fixtures and is a leading conference centre in the north west of England. More information is available at aintree.thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

Aintree is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Grand National, The Festival™ and The Derby Festival at Epsom. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences The Jockey Club offers through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny made goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. The Jockey Club was founded in 1750 and today is the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk 

 

Grant Rowley - Communications Lead (West)

E: grant.rowley@thejockeyclub.co.uk

M: +44 (0) 7884655990                  

 

Meg Furse - Communications Executive (West)

E: megan.furse@thejockeyclub.co.uk

M: +44 (0) 7896076579