mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 15th (Canal Turn)
towards rear, fell 3rd
in touch, lost place halfway, headway under pressure 3 out, rallied and effort between last 2, weakened run-in
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 25th
mid-division, headway halfway to track leaders, led approaching last, headed run-in, kept on one pace
mid-division, fell 2nd
in touch, fell 7th (Foinavon)
led 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 22nd (Beeches Brook)
prominent, left close up 22nd (Beeches Brook), weakened 3 out, pulled up
mid-division, headway halfway and in touch, effort and every chance 2 out, weakened last
towards rear, blundered 5th, headway and in touch halfway, mistake 23rd (Canal Turn), led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
tracked leaders, effort and every chance 2 out, one pace run-in
towards rear, headway and in touch halfway, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, headway halfway, chasing leaders 4 out, ridden after 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly
prominent, fell 22nd (Beeches Brook)
mid-division, headway 20th and in touch, ridden 3 out, no further progress
prominent, mistake 6th (Beeches Brook) left in lead 22nd (Beeches Brook), headed approaching 2 out, weakened
towards rear, hampered 2nd, fell 22nd (Beeches Brook)
towards rear, brought down 3rd
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 21st
mid-division, fell 1st
towards rear, headway 24th (Canal Turn) weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent halfway, soon behind
in touch, mistake 6th (Beeches Brook), weakened 13th
mid-division, losing place when blundered and unseated rider 18th
towards rear, fell 12th
towards rear, fell 18th
in touch, pushed along 19th, soon weakened
led to 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, hampered 18th, pulled up before next
towards rear, headway 3 out, effort between last 2, no extra run-in
in touch, losing position when blundered 15th (Chair), tailed off when pulled up before 21st
mid-division, fell 2nd
in touch, fell 1st
towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, effort on outside approaching 2 out, weakened last
towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on one pace from 2 out
prominent, headway and every chance 4 out and 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch early, behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Beeches Brook)
in touch early, losing place when fell 16th (Water)
Handicapper Phil Smith and his team have framed the 2009 John Smith¿s Grand National to ensure that as many runners as possible have a chance of success, and COMPLY OR DIE is taken to do what no horse has done since Red Rum and record back-to-back wins in the race, while State Of Play looks a leading contender, Black Apalachi comes into the contest with hopes high, and Golden Flight could go very well at a price. The David Pipe team has already enjoyed a big race win this week with Madison Du Berlais and the vibes coming from Nicholashayne in recent days have been very positive. The 10-year-old is 15lbs higher than when beating recent defector King John¿s Castle and Snowy Morning, who reopposes on 4lb better terms for a five-and-a-half length deficit, 12 months ago, so he looks likely to have to produce a fair bit better effort. Even so, he acts on any ground with good in it, he jumps very well, and he will not be found wanting for stamina, while the blinkers certainly seem to add something to his game. His recent prep run over an inadequate three miles at Cheltenham was an ideal stepping stone, and he looked to have a little more up his sleeve last year, so we will hope for a trouble-free run. There has been no Welsh-trained winner since 1905, but Evan Williams has a leading contender this time with State Of Play. His trainer has deliberately left him without a run since Boxing Day to have him totally fresh for this, and the nine-year-old will appreciate that. Good ground suits, and as one who carried over 11st to win a Hennessy he has the touch of class now almost mandatory to win this great race. Black Apalachi looks a major player, and he has done little but improve since joining Dessie Hughes and being fitted with cheek pieces. He is another carrying over the supposed 11st ceiling on a win, but of more concern than that for him would be the ground, which he prefers soft. 2007 winner Silver Birch is now getting long-in-the-tooth, and although 12-year-olds don¿t have a bad record in the race it would be some performance for him to win from what is still a 10lbs higher mark than two years ago. Pre-race favourite My Will ran a cracking trial in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he stayed on through beaten horses for fifth. Ideally he would want softer ground than this, but Ruby Walsh is presumably happy that he will act on today¿s going . He has some good form in top staying chases but he does struggle to win them and although he has a nice enough mark his price is plenty short enough. That cannot be said of Golden Flight, who was given a Cheltenham pipe-opener after a long lay-off and if going on the ground may well represent value, coming from exhalted connections. Parsons Legacy has been subject of a recent gamble, and races from a mark of 146, which just looks a little too high. As ever, this is a fascinating renewal, and while he may never prove to totally emulate the greatest horse of Aintree, Comply Or Die can turn the clock back 35 years and repeat the success of Red Rum.
Cloudy Lane 4-5fav (11-4) In touch, fell 1st, in a race won by Money Trix (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) sft in Feb, 4 ran.
Chelsea Harbour (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th when mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 14l behind Emma Jane (10-2) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.
Snowy Morning (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Raced in 4th, closer in 3rd 4 out, ridden to dispute lead briefly 3 out, soon headed, kept on one paced without threatening winner, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Black Apalachi (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G 2 sft in Feb.
Knowhere (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th, struggling 13th, weakened 17th, 10th of 16, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 16th, one pace from 2 out, 7th of 21, 25l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Ollie Magern 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, joined leader 15th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 21, 26l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Stan (NZ) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Something Wells (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Led from 3rd, joined 3 out, soon ridden and kept on well from 2 out, easily, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G 2 sft in Feb beating Snowy Morning (11-8) by 17l, 5 ran.
Hear The Echo (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, soon clear, slight mistake 3rd, headed approaching next, in front again soon after 6th, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon dropped to 4th and no extra, mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Glenfinn Captain (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G 2 hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Preists Leap (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, no impression from 4 out, 9th of 13, 47l behind Emma Jane (10-2) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.
My Will (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 16th, soon ridden, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, 5th of 16, 24l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Eurotrek (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, hampered 9th (Valentine's) soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Becher's), in a race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs (1) gd in Apr '07, 40 ran.
State of Play 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5 out, driven and soon beaten, 4th of 8, 15l behind Nozic (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Big Fella Thanks 7-2fav (11-1) In touch, slightly lost place 13th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 20, 10l behind Nacarat (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Mon Mome (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, chased leaders, weakened approaching 18th, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Russian Trigger (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) sft in Mar.
Silver Birch (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, driven along after 4 out, no impression straight, one pace, 9th of 11, 24l behind Bit Of A Devil (10-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 hvy in Mar.
Butler's Cabin (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 11th, tracking leaders from 3 out, one pace flat, 5th of 24, 9l behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Offshore Account (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Mid-division early, close 3rd after halfway, 2nd and challenged 3 out, disputed lead brielfy 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Bit Of A Devil (10-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 hvy in Mar.
Parsons Legacy (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden after 13th, weakened 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Reveillez 33-1 (10-13) Hit 12th, hampered 2 out, always towards rear, 11th of 21, 36l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Never fluent, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 21 ran.
Golden Flight (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistakes 6th and 14th, weakened 16th, 12th of 21, 43l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
L'ami (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) In touch, headway 19th, led 26th, ridden approaching last, headed flat, kept on for clear 2nd but soon held, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Battlecry 16-1 (10-10) In touch, mistake 8th, struggling 13th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb, 20 ran.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up behind, ridden approaching 5 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, well behind Rambling Minster (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Fleet Street 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden before 12th, weaked from next, 14th of 20, well behind Nacarat (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Musica Bella (FR) (10-1) 7th of 11, 15l behind Juntico (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl in Mar.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Held up behind, steady progress from 19th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, ridden to dispute 2nd when hampered last, faded, 4th of 19, 13l behind Tricky Trickster (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m amat chs (2) gs in Mar.
Darkness 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 10th, went 2nd 15th, left in clean led to bend after 17th, unchallenged after, eased flat, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb beating Church Island (11-5) by 11l, 8 ran.
Irish Invader (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Made all, jumped well, strongly pressed from after 2 out, went clear from before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 2f chs sft in Feb beating Carthalawn (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rambling Minster 18-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders 5th, led 11th, stayed on well from last, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb beating Coe (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Southern Vic (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Soon led, jumped well, headed after 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Emma Jane (10-2) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.
Kilbeggan Blade 2-5fav (11-10) Chased leaders, chased winner from 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Outlaw Tom (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up in rear in touch, chased leader 2 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Rare Society (10-6) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Himalayan Trail 10-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden in 7th 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 27l behind Moscow Roller (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp hdl 0-116 sft in Feb.
Arteea (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Mistakes 3rd (water), always behind, 14th of 24, well behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Cerium (FR) 300-1 (11-10) Always in rear, lost touch 12th, 11th of 16, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Idle Talk (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Led, headed 13th, one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Out The Black (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gf in Feb.
Kelami (FR) 33-1 (9-13) Held up mid-division on outer, lost place approaching 7th, 11th of 12, well behind Great Approach (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Zabenz (NZ) 10-11 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 15; str run to ld nr fin, won at Badbury Rings 3m ptp in Feb beating Silver Monarch (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
