77 go forward for Martell Cognac Grand National glory

No less than 77 horses remain in the 2004 Martell Cognac Grand National, run at Aintree on Saturday, April 3, following Tuesday´s forfeit stage. There is a safety factor of 40 for the world´s most famous steeplechase and there are currently 47 horses in the handicap.
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This year´s race has a notably strong entry from Ireland and the 15 remaining Irish-trained entries include last year´s winner Monty´s Pass, the 2003 Irish National hero Timbera, Hedgehunter, trained for Trevor Hemmings by Willie Mullins, and Rince Ri, trained like the 2000 winner Papillon by Ted Walsh.

First Gold, who finished fifth in last week´s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after making much of the running, remains in the Martell Cognac Grand National on top weight of 11st 12lb and Francois Doumen´s charge is one of four remaining French-trained entries along with stablemates Innox and Kelami, who was bought by owner John Halewood before finishing fourth in last week´s William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, and the Jacques Ortet-trained Paladin.

Martin Pipe still has a dozen entries in the race, including Red Square Vodka Gold Cup winner Jurancon II, Puntal, Mildmay Of Flete Chase second Iznogoud and Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase victor Maximize, while the champion trainer´s son David is represented by hunter chaser Lord Atterbury.

The 2003 third and fourth, Amberleigh House and Gunner Welburn, remain in the race, while Jonjo O´Neill has a strong hand, represented by Tote Becher Chase winner Clan Royal, who also landed last season´s Martell Cognac Topham Chase, Joss Naylor and Simply Gifted. The 2002 winner Bindaree, Bear On Board, trained by Alan King, along with Sue Smith´s pair Artic Jack and Ardent Scout, the 2002 Becher Chase winner, are others with strong form claims.

Among the 23 horses to come out at the forfeit stage are the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot, Fondmort, Commanche Court and the Willie Mullins-trained Macs Gildoran.

Commenting on the second forfeit, Aintree´s Managing Director Charles Barnett said, 'With a very strong 77 horses standing their ground, we are assured of a highly competitive race with the maximum field size (40).

'It is a tribute to the quality of the field these days that with the race being open to horses with a rating of 110 and above we still have 47 in the handicap and the 40-runner cut off is presently at 10st 2lb. It is worth remembering that the last time there was just a two-week gap between Cheltenham and Aintree in 1996, we only had 27 runners.

'We are delighted to see First Gold an intended starter after his great run in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and as I have said many times before, a great story looks certain to emerge.'

The Going Is Good At Aintree

Andrew Tulloch, Clerk of the Course is pleased with the condition of both the Mildmay and the Grand National course, just over a week until the meeting. The current ground conditions on both courses are Good and Aintree´s policy will be, as ever, to provide ground no faster than Good for the three day meeting. Tulloch added, 'An unsettled showery week is forecast,' he said. 'We shall monitor the situation on a daily basis and water if necessary.'