Tiger Roll tops 89 contenders still on course for Randox Health Grand National

 

Wednesday, 26 February, 2020 - Tiger Roll heads 89 remaining entries for the £1-million Randox Health Grand National following yesterday's scratchings deadline, details of which are revealed today.

 

The 2020 edition of the world's greatest and most valuable chase takes place at Aintree on Saturday, 4 April, the third and final day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.

 

Tiger Roll (11st 10lb) is the 11/2 favourite with Betway, official betting partner of the Randox Health Grand National Festival, as he continues his quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Randox Health Grand National victory.

 

The 10-year-old made a promising reappearance in the G2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan on 16 February, finishing fifth, and is due to line up next in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on 11 March. Tiger Roll won the Cheltenham contest in both 2018 and 2019 before going on to Randox Health Grand National success.

 

Tiger Roll

Tiger Roll's trainer Gordon Elliott accounts for 15 remaining entries in total, the most of any handler, with Alpha des Obeaux (10st 13lb) and Galway Plate victor Borice (10st) also among his team.

 

A formidable Irish challenge is also set to feature Irish Grand National hero Burrows Saint (10st 10lb), one of seven contenders for Willie Mullins, and recent Naas G3 scorer Any Second Now (Ted Walsh, 10st 6lb).

 

Any Second Now

Last year's Randox Health Grand National second Magic Of Light (10st 12lb), trained by Jessica Harrington, posted a rare below part effort when last in the Boyne Hurdle. That came on the back of easy victories against her own sex in a Listed chase at Newbury in December and a G2 hurdle at Ascot in January.

 

Magic Of Light, who is bidding to become the first mare to win Aintree spectacular since Nickel Coin in 1951, could be joined stable companion Jett (10st 13lb). He has backed up his victory in a G3 chase at Punchestown in October with a series of good efforts, most recently when fourth in the G1 Irish Gold Cup on 2 February.

 

Harrington said: "Magic Of Light is in good form. She wasn't as slick at her hurdles in Navan, but I think the ground was just too heavy for her.

 

"The Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham was an option, but the race looks very competitive - she would have been taking on two talented mares in Benie des Dieux and Honeysuckle if they run. With that in mind, she will go straight to Aintree.

 

"She has a nice weight for Aintree and we are looking forward to taking her back there.

 

"Jett is our other contender for the Grand National and the plan would be to run him, provided the ground is suitable.

 

"He prefers better ground to testing conditions, but he has run some fine races in defeat this season.

 

"I have been delighted with him and think there is plenty more to come from him.

 

"He stays very well and is a good jumper and has plenty of tactical speed."

The leading British-trained hopes, according to the betting, are last year's fourth Walk In The Mill (Robert Walford) and Kimberlite Candy (Tom Lacey), who are both set to carry 10st 4lb.

 

Walk In The Mill landed the G3 Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National course for the second successive year in December, while Kimberlite Candy, runner-up in the Becher, impressed when taking the G3 Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick in January.

 

Walk In The Mill

Dual Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has seven remaining entries to choose from, with his team headed by multiple G1 victor Bristol de Mai (11st 8lb) and Ballyoptic (10st 11lb), who looked as good as ever when landing a Listed handicap chase at Ascot on 15 February.

 

There is will be more Aintree pointers this weekend with the likes of Definitly Red (Brian Ellison, 10st 10lb), Beware The Bear (Nicky Henderson, 11st), Now McGinty (Stuart Edmunds, 10st 1lb) and Le Breuil (Ben Pauling, 9st 13lb) set to contest either Kelso's Listed Premier Chase or Doncaster's Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.

 

Other leading contenders going forward include Welsh Grand National victor Potters Corner (Christian Williams, 10st 6lb) and wide margin G3 Bobbyjo Chase scorer Acapella Bourgeois (Willie Mullins IRE, 10st 6lb).

 

Dalko Moriviere (Jerome Larrigade FR, 9st 13lb), one of two French-trained entries, remains engaged.

 

A maximum of 40 runners can line up for the 2020 Randox Health Grand National, with the next scratchings stage on Tuesday, 17 March.

 

Latest prices from Betway, official betting partner of the Randox Health Grand National Festival

 

11/2 Tiger Roll

 

10/1 Any Second Now

 

11/1 Burrows Saint

 

16/1 Kimberlite Candy, Magic of Light, Walk In The Mill

 

18/1 Le Breuil

 

20/1 Acapella Bourgeois, Definitly Red

 

22/1 Potters Corner

 

25/1 Anibale Fly, Ballyoptic, One For Arthur, Ramses de Teillee, Total Recall, Yala Enki

 

33/1 Alpha des Obeaux, Beware The Bear, Bristol de Mai, Dingo Dollar, Elegant Escape, Give Me A Copper, Hogan's Height, Ok Corral, Pleasant Company, Talkischeap, Traffic Fluide, Vintage Clouds

 

40/1 Atlanta Ablaze, Borice, Chef des Obeaux, Fitzhenry, Kildisart, Lake View Lad, Lord du Mesnil, Mall Dini, Takingrisks, The Storyteller, Top Ville Ben, Valtor

 

50/1 A Toi Phil, Class Conti, Cogry, Dragon d'Estruval, Fingerontheswitch, Jury Duty, Poker Party, Ravenhill, Regal Encore, Roaring Bull, Snugsborough Benny, Sub Lieutenant, The Hollow Ginge, Vieux Lion Rouge

 

66/1 Activial, Aso, Cabaret Queen, Dalko Moriviere, Dallas des Pictons, Death Duty, Dounikos, General Principle, Joe Farrell, Moonshine Bay, Now McGinty, Peregrine Run, Prince of Scars, Saint Xavier, Shattered Love, Spider Web, The Young Master, Tout Est Permis, Townshend, Warriors Tale

 

80/1 Crievehill, Jett, Monbeg Notorious, Out Sam, Romain de Senam

 

100/1 Ami Desbois, Disco d'Authie, Double Shuffle, Flying Angel, Kilfilum Cross, Scoir Mear, Singlefarmpayment, Soupy Soups

 

150/1 Outlander, Rathlin Rose

 

About Aintree Racecourse / The Jockey Club

Aintree is home to The Randox Health Grand National, the most famous horse race in the world which is the climax to a three-day Festival meeting in April every year (Thursday, April 2 to Saturday, April 4 in 2020). 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

 

About The Jockey Club

Aintree is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Festival™ presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. 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

 

For further information please contact:

Grant Rowley, Regional Communications Manager, The Jockey Club (North West) on 07884 655990 or email:  Grant.Rowley@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

Jessica Dalgliesh, Senior Communications Executive, The Jockey Club (North West) on 07464 491507 or email:  Jessica.Dalgliesh@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

The Randox Health Grand National

Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 4, 2020. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, prior to March 17, have started in a chase during the current season and been placed first, second, third or fourth in a 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 also be allotted a rating of 125 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 9. 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 February 9 would merit a minimum rating of 125. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 10. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. Entries closes January 29 (105 entries, 2 subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 11, first scratchings deadline February 25 (89 remain), second scratchings deadline March 17, five-day confirmations March 30, final declarations 10am April 2. Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.

 

 

89 entries remain

33 Irish-trained

2 French-trained

 

The following 16 horses have been scratched: Acting Lass (IRE), As de Mee (FR), Cadmium (FR), Champagne Classic (IRE), Chris's Dream (IRE), Delta Work (FR), Heron Heights (IRE), Missed Approach (IRE), Mister Whitaker (IRE), Native River (IRE), Noble Endeavor (IRE), Princeton Royale (IRE), Sizing John, Steely Addition (IRE), Voix du Reve (FR), Yorkhill (IRE)

 

Breakdown of entries by trainer with past successes in the Randox Health Grand National

15 entries

Gordon Elliott IRE (2007 Silver Birch, 2018 & 2019 Tiger Roll)

Tiger Roll 11-10

Alpha des Obeaux 10-13

The Storyteller 10-12

Jury Duty 10-08

Shattered Love 10-06

Death Duty 10-05

Dounikos 10-05

Dallas des Pictons 10-01

Borice 10-00

Monbeg Notorious 9-11

Ravenhill 9-10

Roaring Bull 9-10

Out Sam 9-08

General Principle 9-05

Prince of Scars 8-07

 

7 entries

Willie Mullins IRE (2005 Hedgehunter)

Total Recall 10-13

Burrows Saint 10-10

Pleasant Company 10-07

Acapella Bourgeois 10-06

Chef des Obeaux 10-03

Class Conti 10-03

Cabaret Queen 9-13

 

Nigel Twiston-Davies (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)

Bristol de Mai 11-08

Ballyoptic 10-11

Crievehill 10-08

Cogry 9-12

Flying Angel 9-12

The Hollow Ginge 9-12

Townshend 9-10

5 Entries

Paul Nicholls (2012 Neptune Collonges)

Yala Enki 10-11

Saint Xavier 10-04

Warriors Tale 10-04

Romain de Senam 10-02

Give Me A Copper 10-01

 

4 Entries

Nicky Henderson

Beware The Bear 11-00

Ok Corral 10-09

Valtor 10-04

Dragon d'Estruval 9-13

 

3 Entries

Tom George

Double Shuffle 10-04

Activial 9-13

Singlefarmpayment 9-07

 

Jessica Harrington IRE

Jett 10-13

Magic of Light 10-12

Moonshine Bay 9-08

Neil Mulholland

The Young Master 9-12

Fingerontheswitch 9-07

Soupy Soups 9-06

 

David Pipe (2008 Comply Or Die)

Ramses de Teillee 10-05

Vieux Lion Rouge 9-10

Rathlin Rose 8-10

2 Entries

Henry de Bromhead IRE

Sub Lieutenant 10-09

Poker Party 10-01

 

Alan King

Talkischeap 10-11

Dingo Dollar 9-12

Gary Moore

Traffic Fluide 10-03

A Toi Phil 9-12

 

Tom Mullins IRE

Spider Web 9-05

Scoir Mear 8-12

 

Ben Pauling                    

Kildisart 10-05

Le Breuil 9-13

1 Entry

Nick Alexander

Lake View Lad 10-08

 

David Cottin FR

Disco d'Authie 8-07

Rebecca Curtis

Joe Farrell 9-10

Liam Cusack IRE

Snugsborough Benny 10-02

Henry Daly

Atlanta Ablaze 9-13

Stuart Edmunds

Now McGinty 10-01

Brian Ellison

Definitly Red 10-10

Peter Fahey

Peregrine Run 10-13

Richard Hobson

Lord du Mesnil 10-01

Anthony Honeyball

Regal Encore 10-00

Patrick Kelly IRE

Mall Dini 9-11

Philip Kirby

Top Ville Ben 11-02

Tom Lacey

Kimberlite Candy 10-04

Jerome Larrigade FR

Dalko Moriviere 9-13

Tony Martin IRE

Anibale Fly 11-02

Graeme McPherson

Ami Desbois 9-09

Noel Meade IRE

Tout Est Permis 10-09

Paul Nolan

Fitzhenry 9-10

Henry Oliver

Kilfilum Cross 9-06

Nicky Richards

Takingrisks 10-01

Lucinda Russell (2017 One For Arthur)

One For Arthur 10-02

Sue Smith (2013 Auroras Encore)

Vintage Clouds 10-08

Jamie Snowden

Hogan's Height 10-00

Richard Spencer

Outlander 9-13

Colin Tizzard

Elegant Escape 11-02

 

Robert Walford

Walk In The Mill 10-04

Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)

Any Second Now 10-06

Venetia Williams (2009 Mon Mome)

Aso 11-02

Christian Williams

Potters Corner 10-06