What connections are saying about your Grand National fancies
Last Updated: 05/04/14 6:53am
A look at what the connections are saying about your Crabbie's Grand National fancy.
TIDAL BAY: Paul Nicholls, trainer: "His form off top weight in his last three handicaps has been very good. He is in good shape and I am looking forward to him running."
LONG RUN: Robert Waley-Cohen, owner: "He's clearly deteriorated from the days when he beat Kauto Star and Denman but he's been handicapped accordingly."
HUNT BALL: Andrew Tinkler, jockey: "There are question marks about if he will stay with the weight he has, but he's got lots of enthusiasm and has taken to the National-style fences at home."
TRIOLO D'ALENE: Sandy Orr, owner: ''Our gut feeling is that he will get the trip. He is not a soft-ground horse and that is why we did not run him after the Hennessy."
ROCKY CREEK: Andy Stewart, owner: "You've got to have a touch of class to win a National these days and Rocky Creek certainly has that. He stays and is a good jumper."
QUITO DE LA ROQUE: Colm Murphy, trainer: "He's done everything we've asked of him at home. He's run well in Liverpool two times so that will hopefully be a positive."
COLBERT STATION: Ted Walsh, trainer: "Last year he didn't run well, he never travelled and he jumped a bit erratic. Hopefully he'll take to it a bit better this year."
WALKON: Alan King, trainer: "Walkon is unproven over the trip, but he seemed to enjoy the big fences when second to Triolo D'Alene in the Topham."
BALTHAZAR KING: Philip Hobbs, trainer: 'He's essentially just very genuine. He stays very well and he's very clever."
WAYWARD PRINCE: Hilary Parrott, trainer: "He has a fine record at Liverpool and we think that will be key. He will also love that good, spring ground as he doesn't like soft."
MR MOONSHINE: Sue Smith, trainer: "He ran a good race in Becher and we hope he gets the trip this year as seems to be in very good form."
TEAFORTHREE: Rebecca Curtis, trainer: "He took to the Grand National fences last year and likes ground the softer side of good. He looks really tight, without being over-drilled."
ACROSS THE BAY:Tony Coyne, owner: "We're delighted with his weight and delighted to have him fit and well and running in the race again."
DOUBLE SEVEN: Martin Brassil, trainer: “Everything seems to have gone well with him and we're happy to be here. I just hope they don't get too much rain, the ground is very important to him.”
BATTLE GROUP: Johnny Farrelly, trainer: “If he's back to his best, you'd hope he'd run well. He isn't half the horse on soft ground as he is on good.”
BUCKERS BRIDGE: Henry de Bromhead, trainer: "We're hoping for a good run. We've tried him over the National-style fences and we were happy enough with him."
LION NA BEARNAI: Thomas Gibney, trainer: "He handles all sorts of ground, but I'd more confident if there's a bit of cut in it. He's a nice horse with a nice weight."
PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE: Paul Townend, jockey: “He brings a touch of class, has a lovely racing weight and if he gets into a rhythm you never know.”
MONBEG DUDE: Michael Scudamore, trainer: ''He's in the best shape we've ever had him, but this race more than any other is the one in which you need plenty of luck."
BIG SHU: Peter Maher, trainer: "Good ground is not his business. Big Shu is always best on his third run of a season. I think he was a bit short at Cheltenham. He deserves a crack at this."
BURTON PORT: Jonjo O'Neill, trainer: "Since Christmas he started to perk up a lot, he's working better and has done nothing but improve."
OUR FATHER: David Pipe, trainer: "He stays well and deserves his chance in the National. The slower the ground the better."
MOUNTAINOUS: Richard Lee, trainer: "The wetter the better. We've given him plenty of time off and he's back bubbling away again."
THE RAINBOW HUNTER: Aidan Coleman, jockey: "People might latch on to the fact he won the Sky Bet Chase, which is as good a trial as there is. He could be the forgotten horse."
VINTAGE STAR: Sue Smith, trainer: "Vintage Star has never jumped the fences, although he jumped very well in schooling."
CHANCE DU ROY: Tom O'Brien, jockey: "Touch-wood, he's a good jumper so the modifications to the fences don't really matter to him."
HAWKES POINT: Ryan Mahon, jockey "He wasn't beaten far at all in the Welsh National. You can make a case for a lot of them but I think he's got a proper chance."
KRUZHLININ: Donald McCain, trainer: "He's a bit difficult to assess, trip wise, but he's improving all the time and jumps well."
PINEAU DE RE: Dr Richard Newland, trainer: "He ran great at Cheltenham last time. He seems in the form of his life and I'm very hopeful."
GOLAN WAY: Tim Vaughan, trainer: "He's been a decent animal but this is a different challenge for him over the National fences. We'd like to think he'll stay well."
TWIRLING MAGNET: Richie McLernon, jockey: "He's a grand little horse. I schooled him on earlier in the week and we went very well. He's versatile enough, ground wise, and I think he'll take to the fences."
VESPER BELL: Willie Mullins, trainer: "What he wants is a long trip and testing conditions. Things didn't go to plan in the Becher so we hope for better luck."
THE PACKAGE: David Pipe, trainer: "I think he's got a great chance and the signs are good. Once he warms to the fences I think he'll be fine."
RAZ DE MAREE: Dessie Hughes, trainer: "I've had Aintree in mind or him since last year. It was a good run the last day in Down Royal. He's going to be ready for it."
ROSE OF THE MOON: David O'Meara, trainer: "He jumped well round Aintree in the Becher Chase, he's sneaked in at the bottom of the handicap and stays well."
SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM: Nicky Henderson, trainer: "Shaka wants good ground but he's probably not going to get it. He finished his work on Monday morning and all went well."
ALVARADO: Fergal O'Brien, trainer: "He's a high cruising speed, but, at the same time, he is just as likely to make a bad mistake at the second fence as get round and win."
LAST TIME D'ALBAIN: Liam Cusack, trainer: "We're a bit in the dark when it comes to the distance but so are a lot of other horses in the race. We're hopeful the trip will suit."
ONE IN A MILAN: Adam Wedge, jockey: "His Welsh National form was obviously very good and that might be him when he's at his best. Hopefully they get plenty of rain. The visor might also sharpen him up."
SWING BILL: David Pipe, trainer: "He's not getting any younger but you can't knock him and getting round is half the battle. The drier the ground the better for him."