Record Entries For First John Smith´s Grand National

The highest-ever entry of 152 is revealed today (Thursday, January 27) for the John Smith´s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 9 - the first running of the world´s most famous chase under new sponsorship.

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There were 122 entries in 2004 and the previous high was 149 in 2003, with the number of entries before that being 2002-144, 2001-133, 2000-108, 1999-103, 1998-103, 1997-102, 1996-82, 1995-82, 1994-98, 1993-97, 1992-104, 1991-85, 1990-90, 1989-96, 1988-105, 1987-98, 1986-109 and 1985-100.

The John Smith´s Grand National has record prize money of £700,000, up £100,000 on 2004, and features the first seven home from last year´s great race - the Ginger McCain-trained winner Amberleigh House, Clan Royal (2nd), Lord Atterbury (3rd), 2003 winner Monty´s Pass (4th), Spot Thedifference (5th), Smarty (6th) and Ardent Scout (7th). Bindaree, the 2002 hero, is the third previous winner entered, while the 2003 second and fourth, Supreme Glory and Gunner Welburn, are also entered.

Novice Ollie Magern, Sir Rembrandt, Ballycassidy, Grey Abbey and Royal Auclair, who are all set to contest Saturday´s Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham, have been entered alongside other highly-rated chasers such as Celestial Gold, First Gold, one of four French-trained entries, Flagship Uberalles, Native Upmanship, One Knight, Truckers Tavern, Valley Henry and novice Baron Windrush, like Ollie Magern trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.

There are 36 entries from Ireland, another record (the previous highest was 34 in 2003), including the Trevor Hemmings-owned Hedgehunter, who was third when falling at the final fence in 2004, Timbera, an 11th hour absentee from last year´s race, Clan Royal, Davids Lad, Le Coudray, Monty´s Pass, Native Upmanship, Rince Ri and Spot Thedifference.

J P McManus came within three lengths of winning the 2004 Grand National with Clan Royal and owns no less than 19 of this year´s entries while locally-born Hemmings, whose greatest ambition is to win the John Smith´s Grand National, has six engaged.

The totesport Becher Chase winner Silver Birch, the current ante-post favourite for the John Smith´s Grand National, is one of seven entries for trainer Paul Nicholls, while other leading contenders include Joly Bey, who is ridden by his amateur owner David Dunsdon, Forest Gunner, winner of last year´s John Smith´s Fox Hunters´ Chase and this season´s betfair.com Grand Sefton Handicap, and the Scottish-trained Strong Resolve.

The weights for the 2005 John Smith´s Grand National, run over four and a half miles and 30 fences, will be announced on Tuesday, February 8, at 11am.

Charles Barnett, Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse, commented: 'This is an exciting year for the John Smith´s Grand National with both a new sponsor and a major increase in prize money so we are delighted to see this record number of entries including so many with strong claims from Britain, Ireland and France.'