NATIONAL EXPERIENCE A BIG HELP
ELEVEN of the 17 Grand Nationals this century have been won by runners who had previously contested ‘Nationals’ in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Republic Of Ireland.
It is not necessarily experience of Aintree that counts but races over long distances with big fields.
Here Patrick Weaver runs through the Hall Of Fame and highlights their stepping stones to the hallowed Aintree winner’s enclosure.
RULE THE WORLD 2016
Unusually the nine-year-old had never won over fences prior to last year’s Grand National.
A pointer to his chance was that he had finished runner-up in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National the previous April.
PINEAU DE RE 2014
The 11-year-old changed hands privately the previous May after winning the Ulster Grand National that spring by 23 lengths. Trainer Richard Newland saw he would have the stamina to do the job at Aintree.
AURORAS ENCORE 2013
The 11-year-old went very close to winning the Coral Scottish Grand National the previous April. He led for much of the final circuit at Ayr, only to be caught in the shadow of the post by Merigo.
MON MOME 2009
The nine-year-old was 100-1 despite running in more ‘Grand Nationals’ than most. He finished in midfield in the 2008 Welsh and Scottish Nationals, as well as at Aintree behind Comply Or Die that year. Most importantly, in December 2006 he ran Halcon Genelardais close in the Coral Welsh National in which he was runner-up.
COMPLY OR DIE 2008
The nine-year-old had previously failed to complete the course in the 2005 Scottish and Welsh Grand Nationals. He returned after a near two-year lay-off better than ever to win at Aintree.
SILVER BIRCH 2007
The 10-year-old’s most notable success prior to his memorable Aintree victory was winning the 2004 Welsh Grand National for Paul Nicholls. The gelding was bought by Gordon Elliott at Doncaster Sales in May 2006 for what proved to be a bargain 20,000 guineas.
HEDGEHUNTER 2005
The nine-year-old was third to Bindaree in the 2003 Coral Welsh National and in the same position when a last-fence faller in the 2004 Grand National at Aintree. He was sent off 7-1 favourite for the 2005 Grand National which he duly won.
AMBERLEIGH HOUSE 2004
The 12-year-old claimed bronze in the 2003 Grand National, when third to Monty’s Pass and Supreme Glory. He was his trainer’s fourth winner of the big one at Aintree, having trained Red Rum to win three times.
BINDAREE 2002
The eight-year-old’s preparation that season included the Coral Eurobet Welsh National in which he was third. The fourth that day, What’s Up Boys, jumped the last fence in front at Aintree but was caught in the final 100 yards by Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Grand National hero.
PAPILLON 2000
The nine-year-old was sent off on the big day at 10-1. He had previously come close to winning the 1998 Irish Grand National, finishing second under top weight to Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse. A year on, Bobbyjo won the big one at Aintree, so the first two home in Ireland won the next two renewals of today’s race.
NUMBERSIXVALVERDE 2006
The 10-year-old went off at 11-1 as he was one of few in the line-up with proven stamina, having won the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National the previous spring. His win put his trainer Martin Brassil in the spotlight and he went on to do well with Nickname.