A-Z factfile for Grand National runners

These are the fact files for all 40 runners in today's Aintree Grand National.

ACCORDING TO PETE (GB) FACTFILE

b g Accordion — Magic Bloom (Full Of Hope)

11-10-12 Jump Form: 3/11215/1P1233/2F36335/11114/553050/40022-30112 Owner: Peter Nelson

Trainer: Malcolm Jefferson Jockey: Harry Haynes Breeder: Peter Nelson

According To Pete

According To Pete was bred by his owner Peter Nelson, who owned the 11-year-old’s dam Magic Bloom. She was trained by Malcolm Jefferson to win twice over hurdles and seven times over fences. According To Pete made a promising start to his racing career, winning three times and finishing in the frame on the other two occasions in bumpers in 2005. His first win over hurdles came at Sedgefield in February, 2006, over two miles, but he disappointed next time at Stratford in late April. As a result he was stepped up in trip to two miles and seven furlongs at Kelso which brought out significant improvement as he won nicely on good ground in May. After being pulled up at Market Rasen in June, he had a brief spell on the Flat before returning to hurdles in October, 2006, at Wetherby, winning comfortably by four lengths. He was then just touched off at Cheltenham in November, but this sparked the beginning of a lean spell and it wasn’t until the spring of 2008 that he reproduced his best form after disappointing efforts over hurdles and on the Flat. At the 2008 Cheltenham Festival he ran a brilliant race to finish third in the Pertemps Final behind Ballyfitz, before replicating that form at Aintree with another solid third in the Listed John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle. After a disappointing effort at Cheltenham that April and on the Flat at Haydock in September, According To Pete embarked on a novice chase career. He won his first two starts over the larger obstacles at Hexham in the autumn of 2008, and then took a valuable ‘Fixed Brush’ handicap hurdle at Haydock before scoring again over fences prior to a decent fourth in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January, 2009. According To Pete endured three years without another success despite switching between fences and hurdles, but he got back on track with a brave performance in this season’s Grade Three bet365 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby before denying a 7lb rise in the weights to see off his opponents in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in late January. He completed his preparation for the John Smith’s Grand National at Kelso on March 3, when he was second to Master Of The Hall in the Premier Chase. Harry Haynes, who has partnered According To Pete to both his successes this season, will retain the ride in the John Smith’s Grand National - his first mount in the race.

Jump Race Record: Starts: 40; 1st: 11; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 8; Prize Money: £210, 002

Peter Nelson

Peter Nelson, who was born in 1941, is the son of an a estate labourer and groom and worked on the estate with his father as a child. Nelson founded his family garage business in 1968 in the North Yorkshire village of Helperby and took on the local paper round with the help of his daughters, Sandra and Louise, when the local shop closed. The family have had several horses out of their mare Magic Bloom, who was bred by former senior racecourse judge Jonathan Dimsdale and was purchased from James Dooler’s North Humberside yard in a private deal after a syndicate in the yard found it couldn’t pay for the horse. The most notable performer is According To Pete, who was reared on an acre behind the garage. An 11-time winner, he has earned in excess of £210,000 in his career and is now on course for a crack at the John Smith’s Grand National. Nelson has all his horses with trainer Malcolm Jefferson, who also trained Magic Bloom for Nelson. Other notable performers for Nelson include The Magic Bishop, who won three times during 2011 at Newcastle, Market Rasen and Hexham. No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Malcolm Jefferson (Malton, North Yorkshire)

After a training career spanning some 31 years, Malcolm Jefferson has a strong John Smith’s Grand National contender this year with According To Pete. The 11-year-old has been in tremendous form this season, winning the Grade Three Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby over Christmas prior to a game success in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on January 21. Jefferson, who was born in Penrith on December 1, 1946, spent the first five years of his working life as a farmhand before joining local trainer Gordon Richards at Greystoke, becoming head lad at the age of 22. The brilliant Sea Pigeon was with Richards at the time and Jefferson also drove Lucius to Aintree when he won the 1978 Grand National. Jefferson met his wife Sue at the Richards stable and she had spent time looking after both Lucius and - when working for trainer George Fairbairn - the 1976 Grand National winner Rag Trade, although not when they enjoyed their moments of glory at Aintree. After 13 years at Greystoke, Jefferson had a minor disagreement with Richards about living accommodation and thought that “if I was shifting I might as well shift to a place of my own and have a go at training”. Jefferson moved into Newstead Cottage Stables in Malton in 1981, when the yard had 13 boxes and no hot water, and is still based there. Mark Edelson brought him a first training success at Perth in September, 1981, and since then he has enjoyed a steady flow of winners. Dato Star progressed from winning the 1994 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham to becoming a top-class hurdler, capturing the 1999 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. His three other Cheltenham Festival successes came with Tindari in the 1994 Pertemps Final and Cape Tribulation in the same race this year. Attaglance rounded off a memorable 2012 Cheltenham Festival for Jefferson with victory in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. Cape Tribulation scored at Aintree on Thursday. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2009 Brooklyn Brownie (Fell 2nd); 2011 King Fontaine (11th)

Harry Haynes

Harry Haynes, the son of former leading jump jockey and BHA starter Peter Haynes, was born on March 23, 1989 and took out an amateurs’ licence in 2005. He had his first winner at Goodwood on the Flat in August of that year aboard Mythical Charm. He rode his first jump winner aboard Solway Sunset at Aintree on May 18, 2007, in a mares’ handicap hurdle. That marked the beginning of a good season for Haynes, as he partnered a further 10 winners at a strike rate of 15 per cent before making the decision to take out a conditionals’ licence in 2008. Haynes learnt his trade riding out for trainer John Bridger in Hampshire at weekends and during school holidays, whilst also riding in Arab races for Tony and Sue Brunton and Georgina Ward. He also had 30 rides in point-to-points when he was 17. This is where his relationship with Scottish handler James Ewart started, picking up a spare ride after Ewart’s jockey broke a collarbone. After four years attached to Nicky Richards’ stable in Cumbria, he was appointed stable jockey to Ewart before the 2009/10 season after riding six winners from 12 rides for the yard the season before. After a successful three-season spell with Ewart, Haynes began this campaign with Yorkshire- based trainer Malcolm Jefferson which has yielded some big races successes already. The 23-year-old steered stable stalwart According To Pete to big races successes in Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Chase and Haydock Park’s Peter Marsh Chase. Haynes realised a lifelong dream this season when riding Attaglance to victory in this year’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - his first at The Festival. John Smith’s Grand National record: No previous rides

ALFA BEAT (IRE) FACTFILE

gr g Environment Friend - Belle D'Anjou (FR) (Saint Cyrien (FR) 8-11-05 Form: 0001/06400U6P0/0111114F-6041UP Owner: Irvin Naylor

Trainer: John Hanlon IRE Breeder: Alex McCarthy Jockey: Davy Russell

Alfa Beat

Alfa Beat won on his point-to-point debut at Lingstown for handler Carl Dore in November, 2008, prior to coming seventh on his first start under Rules in a Navan maiden hurdle the following month. He subsequently finished down the field on his next two starts before staying on well to score in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe in April, 2009. Alfa Beat was sent chasing for the 2009/2010 campaign but failed to shine over the larger obstacles and joined Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes after another disappointing effort in a Killarney handicap chase in May, 2010. Byrnes worked the oracle as Alfa Beat won on his first five starts for his new handler, culminating with a game victory in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, 2010. Alfa Beat was laid out for the National Hunt Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival but he could only take fourth behind Chicago Grey in the marathon four-mile contest. He headed to Aintree for last year’s John Smith’s Topham Chase, when he made a mistake at Becher’s Brook before falling four fences from home. Alfa Beat made his final appearance for Byrnes and owner-breeder Alex McCarthy when a staying-on sixth in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May, 2011, and was purchased by Maryland trainer Tom Foley, acting on behalf of leading American jump owner Irvin Naylor, for £75,000 at Doncaster’s Spring Sale later the same month. After warming up for the season with two appearances over hurdles for his new trainer John “Shark” Hanlon, Alfa Beat returned to Listowel in September to register a second successive win in the Kerry National, as he stayed on well under Barry Geraghty to score comfortably. Connections gave Alfa Beat a break following that success and he returned to action at Leopardstown on January 29, when he unseated Barry Geraghty in a handicap hurdle. He also failed to shine on his latest start as he was pulled up on soft ground in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 25.

Race Record: Starts: 27; Wins: 7; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £214,199

Irvin Naylor

American businessman Irvin Naylor is bidding to join a select band of owners that includes Betty Moran, Florence Ambrose Clark and Marion duPont Scott who have tasted glory in both the American Grand National and the John Smith’s Grand National. Naylor saw his colours carried to success in the US Grade One Grand National Hurdle at Fair Hills in October by Black Jack Blues, who was formerly trained in Britain by Rebecca Curtis. Naylor, who hails from York, Pennsylvania, attended the McDonogh School in Maryland and was the state champion at wrestling. He studied industrial engineering and gained an MBA from the University of Miami before founding several successful companies including Snow Time Inc, the operator of Pennsylvania ski resorts Whitetail, Roundtop and Liberty. For 48 years, Naylor served as a directors of the York Water Company, becoming chairman in 1993. A keen rider since his schooldays, Naylor was a leading jockey over jumps in America and he became the oldest winner to date of a National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned event when winning the Benjamin Murray Memorial on Emerald Action in 1996 at the age of 60. Naylor suffered a spinal cord injury, which caused him to be paralysed, falling from the same horse in the Grand National Timber Steeplechase Stakes at Butler, Maryland, in April, 1999. He is currently an advocate for stem cell research to aid discovering a cure for paralysis. He has been a trustee of the McDonogh School and a board member of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Naylor has twice won the Maryland Hunt Cup with Make Me A Champ (2005) and Askin (2008) and he was leading American jump owner for the first time in 2010, with total prize money of US$329,300. He has also been a long-time owner in Britain (although with rather more modest success), having had horses in training with Oliver Sherwood, Richard Phillips, Venetia Williams, Tim Brown, Chris Bealby and Rebecca Curtis. He sent his US trainer Tom Foley to Doncaster Sales in May, 2011, with instructions to buy a John Smith’s Grand National contender and the result was Alfa Beat.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

John “Shark” Hanlon (Bagenalstown, County Carlow)

Born on April 6, 1966, former cattle dealer John Joseph Hanlon was christened “Shark” by Pa Dillon, one of Kilkenny’s greatest ever hurling players. The three-time All-Ireland champion was a selector for the Kilkenny under-14 team and, upon seeing the young Hanlon towering over his team-mates, exclaimed “by Jesus, he’s like a shark!”. The Hanlon family have been breeding and selling cattle for generations in Kilkenny and “Shark” followed in the family footsteps although an interest in racing was spawned at an early age as he went to school with Tony Mullins. Hanlon started having horses with Tony and his father Paddy, most notably talented chaser The Crazy Bishop, and began working as a driver for Tony’s brother George, who runs a horse transport business. Hanlon also started pre-training horses for point-to-pointing as well as assisting Tony Mullins before deciding to take out a permit to train under Rules in the summer of 2006 with the help of his partner Rachel O’Neill, who also previously worked for Mullins. He saddled his first runner, Shaimaa, to finish fourth in a Cork bumper on January 21, 2007, and the filly went on to provide the trainer with a first success over the same course and distance on April 9 of the same year. Hanlon soon established himself as a highly-talented trainer and has enjoyed notable success with Luska Lad and Hidden Cyclone, who have both been successful in Grade Two company over hurdles. Truckers Delight won valuable handicap hurdles at the Punchestown and Galway festivals while Grade Two hurdle scorer Western Leader was runner up in the Grade One John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April, 2010.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Davy Russell

David Niall Russell, who was born on June 27, 1979, hails - like fellow National Hunt jockey Denis O'Regan - from Youghal in County Cork and progressed from pony racing to become one of Ireland's leading point-to-point riders, winning the championship outright in 2001 and sharing the title with J T McNamara in 2002. His first Aintree success came in 2000 when he rode the Pat Fahy-trained Quadco to win the John Smith's Champion National Hunt Flat Race at 33/1. The retirement of another one-time Irish point-to-point star, Adrian Maguire, saw him travel over to Britain as stable jockey to Ferdy Murphy and he turned professional on November 12, 2002, with his first success in that sphere coming on Inn Antique at Sedgefield on November 12. He enjoyed his first big success when Truckers Tavern won the 2003 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and the same horse went on to be second to Best Mate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Russell lost his job as number one jockey to Murphy in January, 2004, after 14 months as he also wanted to continue riding in Ireland at weekends. He returned to Ireland and had a first Cheltenham Festival success in 2006 when Native Jack won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase. Russell finished second behind Ruby Walsh in the Irish jockeys' championship in 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10, and to Paul Townend in 2010/11. He currently has a clear lead in this season’s championship. He is retained jockey to Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary, whose horses run in the maroon and white silks of Gigginstown House Stud, and he has enjoyed several high profile successes for the owner, including five of his nine Cheltenham Festivals victories - Weapon’s Amnesty (2009 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle & 2010 RSA Chase), First Lieutenant (2011 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle), Carlito Brigante (2011 Coral Cup) and Sir Des Champs (2012 Jewson Novices’ Chase). A teetotaller, Russell bizarrely failed a breath test at Listowel on September 17, 2010, due to the alcohol in his mouthwash. He was subsequently allowed to take up his book of rides after passing a second test, only to break his leg in a crashing fall. He has yet to finish in the first six in the John Smith’s Grand National but took the 2005 John Smith’s Topham Chase on Cregg House over the big fences. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2003 Ballinclay King (PU bef 15th); 2004 Takagi (UR 15th); 2005 Arctic Copper (19th); 2006 Joes Edge (7th); 2007 Livingstone Bramble (UR 6th); 2008 Chelsea Harbour (9th); 2009 Hear The Echo (Fell 30th); 2010 Cerium (11th); 2011 Becauseicouldntsee (Fell 2nd)

ALWAYS RIGHT (IRE) FACTFILE

ch g Right Win (IRE) - Kemal Brave (IRE) (Kemal (FR)) 10-10-10 Form: 1F0/1/2113-1PP Owner/Trainer: John Wade

Breeder: John Kelleher Jockey: James Reveley

Always Right

Always Right is the highest-profile winner to date for stallion and racing quiz favourite Right Win, who holds the unique distinction of winning both a Group One on the Flat and a Grade One over jumps with victories for Richard Hannon in the Gran Premio d'Italia and the Tolworth Hurdle. Always Right won five of his six starts in point-to-points for his owner/trainer John Wade and made a winning debut under Rules as he powered to a 12-length success in a novices’ hunters’ chase at Perth in May, 2008. He failed to build on that effort in two appearances during the 2008/2009 campaign, falling in an Ayr hunters’ chase before trailing home 11th behind Cappa Bleu in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. Always Right returned to action 12 months later, easily winning a Kelso hunters’ chase in March, 2010. He raced again at the Scottish track when second in a handicap chase in October of the same year and capturing a similar contest in February, 2011. Always Right provided Wade with the biggest success of his career to date at Doncaster the following month when he gamely repelled the challenge of Lothian Falcon for a head verdict in the Grimthorpe Chase. He also ran a superb race to take third, beaten a length in total, in the Grade Three Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April, 2011. Always Right continued his upward curve at the start of the current season as he stayed on to beat Skippers Brig in a Kelso handicap chase on December 4. He was stepped back up in class for the Grade Three Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on December 26, but failed to travel with any fluency and was pulled up with three fences left. Further disappointment followed in the Grade Three Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on February 18 when Always Right faded quickly and was pulled up approaching the second last fence. He was given a soft palate operation shortly after that race and connections are hopeful that he can return to form in the John Smith’s Grand National.

Race Record: Starts: 11; Wins: 5; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £71,341

John Wade (Sedgefield, County Durham)

Born on November 13, 1943, permit-holder John Wade has established himself as one of the leading owner/trainers in the north of England in recent years. Having left school at the age of 15, Wade started repairing and driving earth-moving machinerybeforebecominganagriculturalengineerandstonemerchant.Todayheheadsthehighly-successfulJohnWade Group of companies, which has a wide portfolio of interests including waste management, recycling, quarrying, demolition and plant hire and employs 150 operatives. Wade also farms 700 acres around his Howe Hills farm in County Durham, which stages point-to-points. His involvement in racing started in the point-to-point sphere, and he initially rode as an amateur, enjoying a first success under rules on September 6, 1982, as the Arthur Stephenson-trained Glen Willy won a novices’ hurdle at Hexham. He took out a permit to train himself in 1983. Leading early performers for Wade included Clares Own, a nine-time winner over fences between 1989 and 1994, dual Cheltenham hunter chase victor Overflowing River and Stormy Lad, who was third behind Rhinestone Cowboy in the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle in 2003. Wade has invested heavily in racing in recent years, both as an owner and a sponsor at nearby Sedgefield racecourse, which has a suite named after him. His biggest win to date as a trainer has been Always Right’s victory in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster in March, 2011. Wade, who leaves the day-to-day running of his stables to his assistant Maria Myco, strengthened his string considerably during the summer of 2011 with the purchase of horses from Graham Wylie after the latter’s principal trainer Howard Johnson was banned for four years by the British Horseracing Authority. He has over 80 horses and his best season was 2007/2008 when 19 winners were sent out. His score this season so far this season has been 13 (up and including April 10). Wade also has horses in training with other trainers including Keith Reveley, who saddled Benny Be Good to win a Listed handicap chase at Market Rasen in September, 2011, Chris Grand and Brian Storey. No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

James Reveley

Born on March 10, 1989, James Reveley is the son of successful trainer Keith and the grandson of prolific dual-purpose handler Mary. Growing up on the family's Saltburn farm, James started off in pony show-jumping ranks and became National Junior Champion when he was 12. He started riding under Rules for his father when he was 16 and celebrated his first winner on only his fifth start, guiding Time Marches On to victory in an amateur riders' handicap hurdle at Plumpton on May 8, 2005. He turned professional that October, becoming apprentice jockey to his father. Reveley also had several rides on the Flat, but he soon concentrated on Jump racing and enjoyed his first major success on Clouding Over, who took a competitive mares' handicap hurdle at Southwell in January, 2007. He ended the 2006/07 season with seven winners, but more than doubled that tally the following term with 16 successes to his name, headed by Endless Power, who took a novices' handicap chase at the John Smith's Grand National meeting, and Rambling Minster, who triumphed in the Scottish Borders National at Kelso in December, 2007. He spent the summer of 2007 riding in France for Guillaume Macaire, partnering 12 winners for the trainer, and has continued to ride for the Frenchman, recording the biggest success of his career on the Macaire-trained Rigoureux in a Grade One success at Merano, Italy, in September, 2010. Reveley’s career has also continued upwards in Britain 21 winners in 2008/09, 35 in 2009/10 and 2010/11, and 53 already on the board so far this season (at the start of Thursday, April 12). His major wins have come courtesy of Endless Power, whom he rode to victory over the National fences in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase in November, 2008, and Rambling Minster, who followed up success in a handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, 2009, with victory in the Grade Three Blue Square Gold Cup Chase at Haydock the following month. Reveley is set to ride increasingly for Ferdy Murphy and also partners horses for his father, as well as Nick Williams, Martin Todhunter and John Wade.

John Smith's Grand National record: 2009 Rambling Minster (PU 19th), 20121That’s Rhythm (Fell 1st)

Arbor Supreme

ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Supreme Leader - Peter’s Well (IRE) (Electric)

10-10-07 Form: 135/4F5324151/1330/37U2U/0P2F-60 Owner: J P McManus

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Breeder: Thomas O'Brien Jockey: Mark Walsh

Arbor Supreme hails from the family of high-class chasers Celtic Ryde, Noddy's Ryde and Teeton Mill, and made a successful start to his career when an eight-length winner of a Leopardstown bumper in January, 2007. He was then sold to J P McManus, but did not win either of his next two starts over hurdles. Sent over fences at the start of the 2007/08 season, he got off the mark at the seventh attempt in that sphere in a beginners’ chase at Naas in March and ended the campaign by defeating seasoned handicappers in a three mile, six-furlong handicap chase at Punchestown in April. The 2008/09 season began with another victory in a staying handicap chase at Fairyhouse but he was winless for the rest of the campaign, including when 14th behind Niche Market in the Irish Grand National. At the Punchestown Festival in May, 2009, he finished third to Ambobo in a valuable handicap chase. He was mid-division in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National when unseating Paul Townend at The Chair and was well behind when falling three fences from home in last year’s renewal. He joined Jonjo O’Neill at the start of this season and has finished unplaced in hurdle races at Bangor on his two appearances.

Race Record: Starts: 27; Wins: 4 ; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £92,775

J P McManus

Few people have enjoyed a closer association with jump racing in the last 30 years than John Patrick ’J P’ McManus, who was born on a farm in Co Limerick on March 10, 1951 and attended the Christian Brothers school on Sexton Street, Limerick. He left his father’s plant hire business at the age of 20 to become a racecourse bookmaker, but then took the less well-trodden route of gamekeeper-turned-poacher when becoming a professional punter. McManus recalls one of his first bets as being on Merryman II in the 1960 Grand National when he was just nine, but the bet that changed his life was £4 on Linden Tree in a Newmarket maiden in 1970, the horse winning at 100/8. He had another £4 on when Linden Tree won the Observer Gold Cup at 25/1, and £5 each-way at 33/1 for the Derby, when the horse beat all bar Mill Reef. The amount he wagered grew rapidly and he is still one of the highest-staking punters on the racecourse. Dubbed “the Sundance Kid” by journalist Hugh McIlvanney after a number of major gambles in the ring during the 1970s, he is also the biggest jump owner in terms of numbers in Britain, Ireland and France (some 300 horses spread over 50 trainers ran for him last season) after he purchased his first racehorse, Cill Dara, at the age of 26. He has a host of business interests including dealing on the financial markets from his Geneva base and part-ownership of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where he also has a house. With John Magnier, he bought a 28.7% stake in Manchester United through the Cubic Expression company before subsequently selling out to US tycoon Malcolm Glazer in 2005. He was in the news shortly after that because of his stake in the pub and restaurant operator Mitchells and Butler. In 2011, the Sunday Times estimated McManus’ wealth at £481 million, making him the 12th richest person in Ireland. Since Mister Donovan landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1982, he has enjoyed 36 other Cheltenham Festival successes, headed by the great three-time Champion Hurdle hero Istabraq and the brilliant Baracouda, who landed the 2002 and 2003 renewals of what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. In 2010, he won a fourth Champion Hurdle with Binocular. This year was a memorable Cheltenham Festival for the owner, whose five victories at The Festival included Synchronised, victorious in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. McManus does a lot of work for charity and his Pro-Am golf tournament, which takes place every five years, has raised over 95 million euros. McManus is also a keen backgammon player and a big hurling fan. He owns Jackdaws Castle, the Gloucestershire yard that Jonjo O’Neill trains from, and has invested heavily in improving facilities since purchasing the property in 2001. He was British champion owner for the 2005/6, 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons. A full 28 years after his runner in the race, McManus finally achieved a long-held ambition when Don’t Push It won the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. He often has multiple entries in the race; five runners in 2004, six in 2005, four in 2006, two in 2007, four in 2008, four in 2009, four in 2010 and five in 2011. Last year Don’t Push It went close to recording back-to-back victories, finishing third, and prior to his success in 2010, Clan Royal went close when second in 2004, he was then carried out when in the lead at Becher’s second time around in 2005 and was third in 2006, while King Johns Castle filled the runner-up spot in the 2008 contest. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Deep Gale (Fell 1st), 1988 Bucko (PU bef 27th), 1992 Laura's Beau (3rd), 1994 Laura’s Beau (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Wylde Hide (UR 22nd); 1998 Gimme Five (5th), 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 27th); 2003 Youlneverwalkalone (PU bef 13th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Spot Thedifference (5th), Risk Accessor (UR 6th), Le Coudray (Fell 22nd); 2005 Innox (7th), Spot Thedifference (18th), Shamawan (21st), Clan Royal (CO 22nd), Le Coudray (PU before 21st), Risk Accessor (UR 2nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th), Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (UR 23rd); 2007 L’Ami (10th), Clan Royal (11th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd), L’Ami (Fell 2nd), Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), L’Ami (PU bef 30th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th), King Johns Castle (refused to race); 2011 Don’t Push It (3rd), Blue Sea Cracker (14th), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Jonjo O’Neill (Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire)

Jonjo O’Neill (born April 13, 1952) was a highly successful jump jockey and has established himself at the top of the training ranks. In spite of an appalling list of injuries, he was champion jockey twice (1977/78 and 1979/80), and he set a then record for a season of 149 winners in his first championship year. The most sensational moment of his riding career came when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Dawn Run in 1986 as the mare became the only horse to win that trophy after having previously taken the Champion Hurdle (1984), again with O’Neill in the saddle. He also won the Gold Cup on Alverton in 1979, though he had a dreadful record in the Grand National, in which he never completed the course in spite of having eight rides. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1985/86 season and, having survived lymphatic cancer not long after that, started training near Penrith, Cumbria, in 1987. He forged a reputation with horses such as Vicario Di Bray, winner of the 1989 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, and Legal Right, who landed the Grade Three Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1999 and went on to capture the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot as well as the Grade Two Tommy Whittle Chase. He moved to his present base at Jackdaws Castle in Gloucestershire, not far from Cheltenham, when the yard was bought by owner J P McManus in 2001. In 2010, he finally broke his Grand National duck when saddling Don’t Push It to victory for McManus, who had been trying to win the race since 1982. Don’t Push It came third last year and is now retired. A P (Tony) McCoy rode the gelding, gaining a first success at the 15th attempt. O’Neill’s other victories at the Aintree Festival as a trainer include Quazar in the John Smith’s Anniversary 4YO Novices’ Hurdle in 2002, Clan Royal in the 2003 John Smith’s Topham Chase, Iris’s Gift (2003) and Black Jack Ketchum (2006) in the Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, Iris’s Gift in the 2004 John Smith’s Liverpool Long Distance Hurdle, Exotic Dancer (2007) in the Betfred Bowl and Albertas Run(2010) in the Melling Chase. His 18 Cheltenham Festival victories include five wins in the National Hunt Chase, the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Spectroscope, the 2004 Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Iris’s Gift and the three victories of Albertas Run in the RSA Chase (2007) and the Ryanair Chase (2010 & 2011). This season Synchronised, a Coral Welsh National winner, has improved further, capturing the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2003 Carbury Cross (7th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Joss Naylor (PU bef 19th); 2005 Simply Gifted (3rd), Shamawan (21st), Native Emperor (UR 9th), Clan Royal (CO bef 22nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th); 2007 Clan Royal (11th); 2008 Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8t h); 2011 Don't Push It (3rd), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can't Buy Time (Fell 18th)

Mark Walsh

Born on March 23, 1986, Mark Walsh grew up surrounded by horses in Clane, County Kildare. Although not related to Ted and Ruby, Mark's cousin David was also a successful jockey and was best known for riding Barton Bank to finish second to Mr Mulligan in the 1997 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Walsh began riding ponies and going hunting from an early age and soon progressed to race-riding on the pony circuit. He started to work for Christy Roche when he was 15 but enjoyed his first winner for permit holder Marcus Callaghan (who was also celebrating his maiden victory) when Shrug landed a handicap hurdle at Punchestown on September 29, 2002. His only other success that season was on the Roche-trained Allofasudden, who took a handicap hurdle at the 2003 Punchestown Festival, but he soon started firing in the winners, with 12 successes in 2003/04 and 19 victories the following season. But the winners were harder to come by in the following three seasons as he failed to reach double figures. That changed in the 2008/09 campaign when he hit 19 winners once again and enjoyed big-race success on the Tom Taaffe-trained Glenfinn Captain in the Grade Two Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park, and the Francis Flood-trained P'tit Fute, who won valuable handicap hurdles at Galway and Leopardstown. The last named also gave Walsh his first ride at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009, when coming eighth in the Pertemps Final. The jockey had fared better on his Aintree debut in 2004 when partnering Puck Out to triumph in the Martell Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle. Walsh completed over the National fences, riding the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Farinel to finish fifth in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase in November, 2004, but he has failed to get around the course on his two attempts at the John Smith’s Grand National. The past few seasons have seen Walsh pick up more rides on good horses such as Aranleigh and Captain Cee Bee and he won the valuable Dan Moore Handicap Chase on Bob Lingo at Fairyhouse on Tuesday. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2009 Reveillez (BD 3rd), 2011 Quolibet (UR 11th)

BALLABRIGGS (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Presenting - Papoose (IRE) (Little Bighorn)

11-11-09 Form: 50220/6S22F212/0/3111/1121-4 Owner: Trevor Hemmings

Trainer: Donald McCain Breeder: Mrs Sarah Jackson Jockey: Jason Maguire

Ballabriggs

The 2011 John Smith’s Grand National winner Ballabriggs was born in County Tipperary April 27, 2001. John Brady paid £IR12,000 for him as a foal at Goffs in December, 2001, and sold the youngster on to Highflyer Bloodstock, acting for owner Trevor Hemmings, for 32,000 euros at Tattersalls Ireland the following November. Ballabriggs was allowed to develop in his own time at two of Hemmings’ studs, firstly at Monymusk Stud in Ireland and then at Gleadhill House Stud near Chorley in Lancashire. Ballabriggs was named after a property on Hemmings’ estate in the Isle of Man. The horse went into training with Ginger McCain in Cheshire at the end of 2005 and by the time Ballabriggs made a low-key racecourse debut Donald McCain had taken over responsibility for the licence from his father. That first run resulted in fifth place in a Uttoxeter bumper in May, 2006. He finished 10th of 14 on his hurdle bow at the same course that December. The Presenting gelding contested four more hurdle races before switching to fences, finishing runner-up twice over two and a half miles, but failing to win. He slipped up on a bend on his first chase start at Bangor in December, 2007, and subsequently posted three seconds at around two and a half miles plus a first fence fall before breaking his duck in an extended three-mile beginners’ chase on soft ground at Bangor in March, 2008. He enjoyed another runner-up finish in a valuable novices handicap chase at Ayr in April that year, behind subsequent Scottish Grand National hero Merigo. After a below-par effort in a handicap chase on his reappearance at Haydock in November, 2008, when heavily eased down, Ballabriggs was off the course for over a year until returning with a third in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in December, 2009. He then proceeded to string together three straight wins over fences in handicap chases. There were easy triumphs at Catterick (January 22, 2010) and Ayr (February 13, 2010) followed by a much tougher task in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival where he prevailed by half a length on March 18. That was his final start of the campaign and, with the John Smith’s Grand National firmly on the agenda, he made a belated return to action last season with two novice hurdle triumphs at Wincanton (two and three quarter miles - January 8) and Ayr (two and a half miles - January 31). His final start before Aintree came in the totesport.com Premier Chase over an extended two and three quarter miles at Kelso on March 5, when he finished a length and three quarters second to Skippers Brig, to whom he was conceding 4lb, after leading most of the way. The run put him spot on for Aintree where he achieved a two and a quarter length success over Oscar Time . He raced prominently throughout and held off the challenge of the second on the long run from the last fence. The 14/1 winner gave his owner a second John Smith’s Grand National victory, following on from Hedgehunter in 2005. Ballabriggs has raced once since that success back at Kelso in the totepool.com Premier Chase where he ran a very promising race. He was in front jumping the last fence, but a lack of race fitness told and he was beaten nine and a quarter lengths into fourth by Master Of The Hall.

Race Record: Starts: 23; Wins: 7; 2nd; 7; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £609,039

Trevor Hemmings CVO

Dual John Smith’s Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings, who was born on June 11, 1935, boasts a classic rags-to-riches story. Brought up in Woolwich Arsenal, south east London, where his father worked at the Royal Ordnance factory, Trevor was sent to Lancashire as a five-year-old during World War II and began life as a bricklayer’s apprentice after leaving school aged 15, before becoming involved in the Pontins holiday business. He eventually became the owner and sold it to Scottish & Newcastle in exchange for a significant share holding in S & N (in 1989). He bought Pontins back in 2000 but retained a stake in S & N, which netted him £218 million when the company was sold in January, 2008. He has recently agreed to sell his major shareholding in Arena Leisure Plc, which owns Folkestone, Lingfield, Southwell, Wolverhampton and Windsor racecourses and manages Doncaster and Worcester, to the Reuben brothers. Arena also has a major part of specialist broadcaster At The Races which owns some of British racing’s media rights. This follows on from him selling Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens to the North West resort’s town council for £40 million in March, 2010. He also owns a share of Preston North End FC and is chairman of the TJH Foundation, a charity which makes grants to organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Relief, St John Ambulance, Crimestoppers Trust and the Royal National Lifeboat Association, the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and Racing Welfare. In 2011, he was appointed a Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO) for his work as vice-president of the Princess Royal Trust Carers. In 2011, the Sunday Times estimated Hemmings’ wealth at £550 million, £50 million more on the 2010 figure. Hemmings fulfilled one of his greatest ambitions when Hedgehunter carried his colours to victory in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National. After years of trying, Hemmings had finally emulated his mentor Fred Pontin, owner of the 1971 National hero Specify, with his 13th Grand National runner. Ballabriggs added a memorable second John Smith’s Grand National success in 2011. His first winner came on the Flat in 1985 but Hemmings now brings on young jumping stock at Gleadhill House Stud, near Chorley, Lancashire, managed by former trainer Mick Meagher, and at his Monymusk Stud in Co Cork. He first tried to win the John Smith’s Grand National with the Stan Mellor-trained Rubika, who finished 14th in 1992. Hemmings, who was made an honorary Jockey Club member in December, 2006, is based on the Isle of Man and is said to have paid £12 million for the Ballavodan estate on the island where his retired horses live. He enjoyed a double at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival with Albertas Run (Ryanair Chase) and Ballabriggs (Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase). Albertas Run added a second Ryanair Chase victory in 2011 to go with his other Festival triumph in the 2008 RSA Chase and a further Grade One win in the 2010 John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree. As well as those already mentioned, his best horses have been Trabolgan, Burton Port, Young Kenny, Blue Shark, Cloudy Lane, Afsoun, Turpin Green, Arctic Jack, The Last Fling and Simply Supreme. His best season numerically came in 2007/08 when his horses triumphed in 51 races in Britain and Ireland. He also has eventers who are ridden by Zara Phillips. Hemmings, who has two Jack Russell terriers named Patch and Brandy and is a fan of both the TV detective series Columbo and the films of Clint Eastwood. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1992 Rubika (14th); 2000 The Last Fling (7th); Esprit De Cotte (Fell 22nd); 2001 The Last Fling (UR 5th), Esprit De Cotte (UR 11th); 2002 Goguenard (Fell 1st), Beau (UR 14th); 2003 Southern Star (14th), Chives (PU bef 12th); 2004 Arctic Jack (Fell 1st), Southern Star (PU bef 9th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON), Europa (20th); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd), Juveigneur (Fell 1st), 2007 Hedgehunter (9th), Billyvoddan (PU bef 19th); 2008 Cloudy Lane (6th), Hedgehunter (13th), Idle Talk (14th); 2009 Idle Talk (12th), Battlecry (16th), Cloudy Lane (UR 15th); 2010 Cloudy Lane (8th); 2011 BALLABRIGGS (WON), King Fontaine (11th)

Donald McCain Jnr (Cholmondeley, Cheshire)

Born on June 13, 1970, Donald McCain Jnr is the son of the late Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Red Rum, the only horse to win the John Smith’s Grand National three times (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also Amberleigh House, the 2004 victor. Ginger McCain died at the age of 80 on September 19, 2011. Donald learnt to ride on his sister Joanne’s pony Gambol and rode in his first race on the Flat aged 15 (his father told a few white lies so he could ride) at Haydock Park. He subsequently became a jump jockey, firstly as an amateur and then a professional, partnering around 40 winners under Rules. He rode several times over the Grand National fences, finishing fifth aboard Harley in the 1992 Fox Hunters’ Chase and 17th on Sure Metal in the 1996 Grand National. He also spent time working for trainers Luca Cumani, Sir Michael Stoute and Oliver Sherwood. Donald subsequently became assistant trainer to his father at Bankhouse Stables at Cholmondeley in Cheshire and played a significant role in Amberleigh House’s Grand National victory in 2004. He was expected to take over the licence from his father at the start of the 2006/7 jump season, but had to wait until June, 2006, before he was able to train in his own name as he needed to complete the appropriate British Horseracing Authority courses. Donald’s first winner as a licensed trainer came with Bearaway in a handicap chase at Newton Abbot on June 8, 2006. He secured his first Cheltenham Festival triumph with Cloudy Lane in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase in 2007 and enjoyed 40 winners in his first campaign. In the 2007/08 season, he had 58 successes and a second Cheltenham Festival success with Whiteoak in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, while the 2008/09 haul of 62 winners included Cloudy Lane’s victory in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park. The 2009/10 season brought further success with a double at the Cheltenham Festival thanks to Peddlers Cross in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and Ballabriggs in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, and a career best 88 winners. Last season, when he reached 100 winners, Peddlers Cross landed the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle and was a gallant runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, while Overturn took the Northumberland Plate on the Flat in June and added the Galway Hurdle a month later. Overturn has been in even better form this season, winning the Grade Two Ascot Hurdle before gaining his first success at Grade One level in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and finishing second in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.. McCain is also the trainer of Smithy The Horse, owned by the John Smith’s Racing Partnership which offers John Smith’s drinkers the chance to own a share in a racehorse. He emulated his father by training a John Smith’s Grand National winner in 2011, with Ballabriggs taking the spoils in good style. The 2011/2012 season is going very well, with 136 (March 27) successes, which include two more Cheltenham Festival triumphs courtesy of Cinders And Ashes in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Son Of Flicka in the Coral Cup. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Idle Talk (UR 19th); 2008 Cloudy Lane (6th), Idle Talk (14th); 2009 Idle Talk (12th), Cloudy Lane (UR 15th); 2010 Cloudy Lane (8th), 2011 BALLABRIGGS (WON)

Jason Maguire

Jason Maguire, who was born on April 13, 1980, is the nephew of former top-jockey-turned-trainer Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and partnered his first British winner, the Tony Martin-trained Search For Peace, at Cheltenham on November 12, 1999. He began riding for Gloucestershire trainer Tom George shortly after coming to Britain and enjoyed a seven-year partnership that yielded a Cheltenham Festival victory in 2002 when Galileo took the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle. Maguire's working relationship with George, which was never contractually formalised, ended in January, 2007, and he is now attached to Donald McCain’s Cheshire stable. Maguire’s association with the McCains arose due to Ginger’s close friend Sean Byrne, a trainer from Dunboyne, County Meath, who found the future Grand National winner Amberleigh House for the family and John Halewood, although the jockey’s first ride for Ginger in November, 2003, proved less than successful as Lambrini Gold was pulled up in a Ludlow novices’ hurdle. In 2008 he took the valuable Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in 2003 on Non So and captured the 2007 John Smith's Midlands Grand National on Baron Windrush. He had a second Cheltenham Festival success in 2008 on Whiteoak in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle and added in 2010 with Peddlers Cross in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle. He partnered the same horse to victory in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and second place in the 2011 Champion Hurdle. Maguire also rode Barizan to win the Grade One Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown in April, 2010. His biggest success came when he landed the John Smith’s Grand National on Ballabriggs in 2011. He got married in September with his school friend, Grand National winning trainer Gordon Elliott, as best man. This season Maguire has ridden 132 winners (March 27) with a strike rate of 24 per cent and has added two further Cheltenham Festival successes to his name thanks to Cinders And Ashes and Son Of Flicka, who won the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Coral Cup respectively. He also guided Overturn to victory in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November, before partnering the game front-runner to finish second in the Stan James Champion Hurdle. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2001 No Retreat (PU bef 17th); 2002 Birkdale (10th); 2003 Tremallt (9th); 2005 Europa (20th); 2006 Lord Of Illusion (PU bef 17th); 2007 Idle Talk (UR 19th); 2008 Cloudy Lane (6th); 2009 Cloudy Lane (UR 15th); 2010 Cloudy Lane (8th), 2011 BALLABRIGGS (WON)

BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) FACTFILE

ch g Beneficial - Ath Dara (Duky)

9-10-03 Form: 15F42212/42F-63F22 Owner: Noel Glynn

Trainer: Noel Glynn IRE Jockey: Davy Condon Breeder: Brett Merry

Becauseicouldntsee

Like many of Noel Glynn’s horses, Becauseicouldntsee is named after song lyrics and the nine-year-old shares his name with a line in the Irish folk ballad Writing On The Wall, which was sung by Co Galway musician Sean Keane. The Beneficial gelding made three starts in point-to-points in the care of Glynn’s assistant Jason Titley, scoring on his final start in a Killaloe maiden in February, 2008. He made a winning debut under Rules, winning comfortably under amateur Liz Lalor in a Killarney bumper in July, 2009. He made one further appearance in a bumper, coming home fifth at the 2009 Galway Festival, before making his chasing debut in a three-mile beginners’ contest at Fairyhouse that November, falling two fences from home when contesting the lead. He was headed on the line to go down by a short-head to Lord Cebellino in another beginners’ chase at Navan in January, 2010, and also filled the runner-up berth in a novices’ chase at Fairyhouse the following month, finding Jagoes Mills nine lengths too strong. He made no mistake at the same course 10 days later as he easily accounted for his 15 rivals to beat Weatherbys Champion Bumper runner-up Corskeagh Royal by a distance. Following such an impressive success, the Nina Carberry-ridden Becauseicouldntsee was sent off as 13/2 second favourite for the National Hunt Chase at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival and he ran a superb race on his first start over the four-mile trip, going down by two and a quarter lengths to Poker De Sivola despite losing a shoe at the start. With the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National firmly on his agenda, Becauseicouldntsee made a low key start to the current campaign, finishing fourth in a Thurles hurdle in November - a race in which fellow Aintree hopeful Oscar Time was second. He duly built on that effort and posted another excellent effort over fences in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, as he stayed on well to take second behind Majestic Concorde. As a result of that effort he was fancied to run a big race at Aintree, but parted company with Davy Russel at only the second fence. He returned this season in a Grade Three novice hurdle at Cork in November when he finished last of the six runners, before going back to fences in the Hilly Way Chase on December 11, finishing third over the inadequate two-mile trip at Cork. He continued his Aintree preparation in the three-mile Paddy Power Chase over Christmas, but after being held up towards the rear he could never get into contention and fell at the second last when well held. Following the fall connections opted for another start over hurdles, this time at Fairyhouse, where he put in a pleasing performance to only be beaten four and a half lengths by subsequent William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Galileo’s Choice. He returned to the Cheltenham Festival in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup over three miles, one and a half furlongs, running a brilliant race to once again fill the runner-up spot behind Sunnyhill Boy with a bullish Glynn declaring: “It will be a different proposition with 10st 3lb at Aintree.

Race Record: Starts: 16; Wins: 2; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £81,024

Noel Glynn (Ennis, Co Clare)

Despite sending out his first winner as a permit-holder in 1976, Noel Glynn has only come to prominence in Britain and Ireland over the past few seasons. Born on December 16, 1952, he took out a full licence in early 1999 and enjoyed his first winner in that role when Dangerousdanmagru scored in a handicap on the Flat at Galway in September of the same year. Glynn is based at Spancil Hill in County Clare, which is also the scene of one of Ireland’s largest horse fairs every June, and many of his horses are named after characters from poems and songs. Dangerousdanmagru, who unseated in the 2006 John Smith’s Topham Chase, was named after the Robert Service poem The Shooting of Dan McGrew, while his current trio of Becauseicouldntsee, Gonebeyondrecall and Writingonthewall all owe their monikers to the lyrics of the Sean Keane folk song Writing On The Wall. Glynn made headlines in Britain two years ago when he booked six-time champion Flat jockey Kieren Fallon, who also hails from County Clare, to ride his Old McDonald in the 2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Unfortunately, the horse missed the race and died in March, 2011, following a freak accident in the yard, with a devastated Glynn saying afterwards: “It was hard to get up in the mornings after that - I have never had a better horse than him and I am sure that I never will”. Jason Titley, whose finest hour in the saddle came aboard Royal Athlete in the 1995 Grand National, became Glynn’s assistant in February, 2006, and the 40-year-old is an integral part of the training operation.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2011 Becauseicouldntsee (Fell 2nd)

Davy Condon

Davy Condon, whose father Mick was a leading amateur and point-to-point rider, was born on December 3, 1984. He started his career in 2000 as a 15-year-old apprentice Flat jockey with Willie Mullins, had his first winner the next season and ended that year with five successes from 95 rides. In the next three seasons, he took his win tally up to 75 and his most notable association was with the Mullins-trained Holy Orders, whom he rode in 30 races across both codes, including when well beaten in the 2003 Melbourne Cup. As Condon’s weight increased, he looked to the jump world and rode his first winner over hurdles in November, 2004. He had his first, and so far only, Cheltenham Festival success aboard Ebaziyan in the 2007 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the following year moved from Ireland to become stable jockey to Nicky Richards’ Cumbrian yard following Tony Dobbin’s retirement, winning the 2008 Peterborough Chase on Monet’s Garden and 2009 Scottish Champion Hurdle on Noble Alan. He returned home in the 2009/10 season and struck up a good rapport with Go Native on whom he won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton although he missed out on his share of a potential £1 million bonus when the horse was beaten in the 2010 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Condon is a cousin of Paul Townend, who rides The Midnight Club in this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Homer Wells (PU 22nd), 2010 Backstage (Unseated Rider 20th)

BLACK APALACHI (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Old Vic - Hatton’s Dream (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) 13-11-03 Form: 1/20136100/4131660/0P050/564420F2/P151U/022/2 Owner: Teresa Burke

Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Breeder: Thomas Hatton Jockey: Denis O’Regan

Black Apalachi

Sold by his breeder Tom Hatton as a foal at the 1999 November sale at Fairyhouse for 12,000 guineas, and subsequently resold to the Burkes at the 2002 Derby sale for 48,000 euros Black Apalachi has easily recouped the initial investment, winning over £400,000 in prize money. Initially trained by Philip Rothwell, Black Apalachi made the perfect start to his career, winning a two-mile bumper at Down Royal on January 15, 2004. The gelding made his second start in September of the same year coming home second in a Listowel bumper behind L’Antartique, before finishing down the field in a similar contest at Galway the following month. Switched to hurdles, Black Apalachi made a winning debut in that sphere over two and a quarter miles in December, 2004 at Downpatrick. Pitched in against experienced handicappers in a three-mile Pertemps Hurdle qualifier next time, he came home a fine third to Cloudy Bays. The Grade One Deloitte Novices’ Hurdle was his next outing, in February, but he was never a factor over two and a quarter miles. He bounced back later that month when seeing off Homer Wells and Sweet Kiln to win the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Johnstown Novices’ Hurdle at Naas, but Grade One engagements at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals failed to reap any reward. The 2005/2006 campaign began for Black Apalachi at the start of November with a fourth place in a Down Royal beginner’s chase. Sent to Thurles the following week, he landed the spoils by four lengths. A fine third in the Cork Grand National was followed by a further victory, this time in the lucrative Paddy Power Chase over three miles at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. He failed to win in three further starts in competitive handicaps, ending the campaign a distant 10th to Point Barrow in the Irish Grand National. The 2006/2007 season turned out to be disappointing as the horse failed to finish better than fifth in five starts. Black Apalachi reappeared for the 2007/2008 season in the care of Dessie Hughes, taking fifth in the Thurles Chase in November. Sixth in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan later the same month was followed by his best effort for some time when taking fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, four lengths behind the victorious Newbay Prop. Another fourth place followed at the same course in the Pierse Handicap Chase in January, 2008, and he was subsequently a good runner-up at the end of the month, sporting first-time blinkers, in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. However, he failed to build on those encouraging displays and did not shine in a Leopardstown handicap chase at the start of March and only made it to the second fence in that year’s John Smith’s Grand National. Black Apalachi bounced back at the Punchestown Festival with a fine second to Arbor Supreme in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase, but his inconsistency returned on his first start of the 2008/09 campaign as he was pulled up when struggling in the Cork Grand National at the start of November. He came back to Britain for another crack at the Grand National fences in the Listed totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase later that month, when he jumped superbly and revelled in the heavy ground, beating the previous year’s winner Mr Pointment by 74 lengths. Connections eyed a return for the John Smith’s Grand National and Black Apalachi was given a spin over hurdles at the start of February to protect his handicap mark. He completed his Aintree preparation with another excellent display of jumping when winning the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 21. In the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National he was still leading the field when unseating Denis O’Regan at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit. The following campaign was geared towards the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. After finishing unplaced in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in January, he chased home his stablemate Vic Venturi in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 20, 2010 before running a blinding race at Aintree under 11st 6lb, finishing second to Don’t Push It. He wasn’t raced for almost two years because of a tendon injury, but returned in the Bobbyjo Chase on February 12 and showed he still remains plenty of ability when finishing the six-length second to Prince De Beauchene. The last 13-year-old to win the John Smith’s Grand National was Sergeant Murphy in 1923.

Race Record: Starts: 38; Wins: 7; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £459,091

Teresa Burke

Gerard Burke, from Castlegar, Doughiska, Co Galway, and his wife Teresa have seen their black and green silks carried to success many times in the last few years. Their venture into racehorse ownership got off to a good start when their first horse, Galwaybay Stan, landed an Irish point-to-point on his second outing in 2002. He was sold on to Britain where he landed a novices’ hurdle. The former pedigree Holstein dairy farmer, who profited from the ring road in Galway going through his land, has notched more than 20 winners, courtesy of Black Apalachi, Loughanelteen, Amorini, Wester Charmer and Monoceros, among others. After getting out of the farming business, Gerard turned to property, founding E & G Developments Ltd. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd); 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22 nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd)

Dessie Hughes IRE (Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland)

A highly successful jockey, Dessie Hughes (born October 10, 1943) partnered Davy Lad to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup and returned to Prestbury Park three years later to ride Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. He had four rides in the Grand National, including Davy Lad, but never managed to complete the course. Having always had one eye on the future, Dessie prepared his yard for three years before finally taking out a training licence in 1980 and the winners soon started flowing, including a first Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer when Miller Hall took the 1982 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His yard was struck down by a persistent fungal problem in the late 1980s which resulted in Hughes enduring several years of poor form, but the trainer began churning out the winners again in the late 1990s, with horses such as Guest Performance, Rathbawn Prince and Grade One winner Colonel Braxton being standard bearers. But it would be Hardy Eustace who would provide Hughes with some of his finest hours as a trainer. Owned by long-standing patron Lar Byrne, the Archway gelding won the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival before returning a year later take the Champion Hurdle under a superbly judged ride from Conor O’Dwyer. Hardy Eustace went on to victory at the Punchestown Festival and returned to Prestbury Park the following year for another victory in the Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House was another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown. Schindlers Hunt emerged as another star, winning two Grade One events as a novice chaser and finishing the head runner-up in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree in 2009.This season Hughes has unleashed another exciting novice hurdler in the shape of Lyreen Legend, an impressive winner of a Grade Two novice hurdle at Thurles in February. He also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner on nine consecutive racing days during the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey in Britain.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd), Vic Venturi (UR 20th); 2011 In Compliance 13th; Vic Venturi (BD 2nd)

Denis O’Regan

Denis O'Regan, born on March 24, 1982, enjoyed the thrill of briefly leading the 2007 John Smith's Grand National field on the second circuit in his first ride in the great race. Unfortunately, O'Regan's mount, Ballycassidy, blundered and spectacularly deposited him on the turf at the Canal Turn. Born in Youghal, Co Cork, on March 24, 1982, to Denis and Derleine O'Regan, the jockey has no immediate family involvement in racing – his father runs Lombards Bar in Youghal. He rode out for his cousin John Crowley as a schoolboy before spending a summer with Francis Flood aged 16. He rode 13 winners as an amateur before turning professional in September, 2003. His first big victory came on Ansar in the 2005 Galway Plate for trainer Dermot Weld and a few months later he rode his first Cheltenham winner when the Michael Hourigan-trained Church Island won a novices' chase at The Open meeting in November. In October, 2006, at Wexford, he rode his first treble and joined the powerful Co Durham stable of Howard Johnson in the summer of 2007. He enjoyed a great start for his new connections at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival, with Tidal Bay in the Arkle Trophy and Inglis Drever in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, which was a third triumph in the race for the great horse. O'Regan led the Grand National field with three to jump in the 2008 renewal but his mount, Bewleys Berry, ran out of steam and ultimately finished fifth. In November 2008, O'Regan sampled victory over the Grand National course as he partnered Black Apalachi in the Becher Chase and his major successes at the John Smith's Grand National meeting include Killyglen in the 2009 matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices' Chase and Tidal Bay in the 2008 John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase. O'Regan partnered Black Apalachi in both the 2009 and 2010 renewals of the John Smith's Grand National. Unseated at the 22nd when leading the field in 2009, O'Regan enjoyed another thrilling ride when Black Apalachi led for much of the second circuit until headed at the last to finish second in 2010. O'Regan and Johnson parted ways on April 17, 2010, when the rider's three-year retainer with the trainer's main patron Graham Wylie came to an end. He tasted Grand National success last season, albeit aboard General Hardi in the North Yorkshire version at Catterick in January. His best British season was in 2008/2009 when he has 81 successes, while this season his tally so far has been 52 (up to April 9) as freelance. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2007 Ballycassidy (UR 24th); 2008 Bewleys Berry (5th); 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd); 2011 King Fontaine (11th)

CALGARY BAY (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Taipan (IRE) - Dante’s Thatch ((IRE) (Phardante (FR))

9-11-06 Form: 22213202/21204/P0164-56242F-0511 Owner: Camilla Radford

Trainer: Henrietta Knight Breeder: Eleanor Hadden Jockey: Dominic Elsworth

Calgary Bay

A half-brother to the smart hunter chaser Robbers Glen, Calgary Bay sold for a bargain price of 8,700 euros as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland in November, 2003. The gelding trod the well-worn path of progress from Tom Costello’s nursery in Ireland to the West Lockinge yard of trainer Henrietta Knight. He made his racecourse debut in the colours of Tim and Camilla Radford on May 17, 2007, finishing a short-head second in a Ludlow bumper. He was runner-up in a similar contest at Uttoxeter on his next outing that October and filled the same berth in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen before defeating Snap Tie by a length to win an extended two-mile novice contest at Cheltenham in December. Third place in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle a month later highlighted his promise but he was never a factor when well beaten behind Captain Cee Bee in the Grade One Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. Sent novice chasing at Doncaster in December, 2008 he made a fine start when second to I’msingingtheblues. This was followed by a victory at Cheltenham in January, 2009, in the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase and a runner-up effort in the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase at Ascot. He flopped once more at the Cheltenham Festival that March when 10th in the Grade One Arkle Trophy and then took fourth behind Tartak in the Grade Two John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase in April. He disappointed on his next two starts but bounced back in December, 2009 when carrying top-weight to a smooth success in a three–mile Doncaster handicap chase. He then mirrored the previous season with a disappointing effort at The Festival in the Grade One Cheltenham Gold Cup, followed by a fourth place at Aintree in the Grade One totesport Bowl won by What A Friend. Calgary Bay was well beaten on his first two starts last term before finishing second to Fiendish Flame in a two and a quarter-mile Bangor graduation chase on November 10, 2010. He ran well to finish fourth behind Poquelin in the Grade Three Vote A P Gold Cup at Cheltenham that December. His final start before last season’s John Smith’s Grand National saw him cross the line second in the Grade Three Murphy Group Chase at Cheltenham in January, 2011, three and a half lengths behind the high-class novice Wishfull Thinking. Despite that improved effort he got no further than the fourth in the Grand National. He returned this season back at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on November 12, finishing a never nearer 12th behind Great Endeavour, but he improved for that outing when staying on strongly to finish fifth behind Quantitativeeasing in the December Gold Cup. The first of his two victories this season came back at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs, beating the progressive Hector’s Choice by one and a quarter lengths. He won consecutive races for the first time in his career when romping home in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on January 28, which also continued his good association with Dominic Elsworth who has steered the nine-year-old to two victories, two seconds and a fifth from as many rides. Race Record: Starts: 28; Wins: 5; 2nd: 9; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £180,932

Camilla Radford

Tim Radford is a sporting enthusiast who met Henrietta Knight’s partner Terry Biddlecombe while out on a shoot. Later, at a dinner party, he told Biddlecombe to go and buy the next Best Mate for him and his wife, Camilla. The horse they purchased from Tom Costello jnr was Aztec Warrior, who finished runner-up in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase but subsequently failed to fulfil that early potential. Since then, the Radfords have enjoyed success with high-class horses such as Racing Demon, twice successful in the Grade Two Peterborough Chase (2006 & 2007), Grade One winner Somersby, winner of the 2012 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot and runner-up in the Grade One Arkle Challenge Trophy, as well as Calgary Bay who has finally realised his potential with victories at Cheltenham and Doncaster. Tim Radford is the chairman of Timico, an independent internet service provider, which sponsors Knight’s West Lockinge Farm stables. Previously, Radford founded the Project Telecom Group in 1987 as an independent telecommunications provider. He floated Project Telecom on the London Stock Exchange in September, 2000, achieving revenues of £330 million in 2002. In 2003, the company was sold to Vodafone for £162 million. Camilla Radford, who has undergone treatment for cancer, has had eight runners in her colours from the Knight yard, as well as handicap hurdler L’Eldorado, trained by Chris Bealby.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners: 2011 Calgary Bay (Fell 4th)

Henrietta Knight (West Lockinge, Oxfordshire)

Henrietta Knight, who trains at her family’s West Lockinge Farm near Wantage, is most famously associated with the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate. The former Irish point-to-pointer was the product of Knight and partner Terry Biddlecombe’s association with the late Tom Costello. The gelding was bought in 1999 by Jim Lewis, one of Knight’s earliest supporters, and went on to deliver a string of big-race successes including those three totesport Cheltenham Gold Cups in 2002, 2003 and 2004, becoming the first horse since the legendary Arkle in the 1960s to win chasing’s Blue Riband three times. Henrietta Knight was born on December 15, 1946, the daughter of Major Guy Knight MC and had an affinity with horses from a young age. She got an early taste for training when sharpening up a retired chaser, Rowland Ward, owned by her mother Hester, to win the members’ race at the 1964 Old Berkshire Hunt point-to-point at Lockinge. She became involved in the eventing world and rode Blitzkrieg to finish 12th at Badminton in 1973, going on to become a judge at Burghley and then chairing the British three-day event Olympic selection committee from 1984 until 1988. Knight had also qualified as a schoolteacher and spent four years teaching history and biology locally at St Mary’s, Wantage, before setting up a horse livery business in 1974, initially breaking in horses for Tim Forster and later other trainers such as Fred Winter and Michael Dickinson. She also began training point-to-pointers and had over 100 winners in that sphere before taking out a full training licence in 1989, enjoying her first success when The Grey Gunner won a novice chase at Bangor on August 18 that year. Knight met former champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe, one of the idols of her youth, in 1993, and the following year he moved in to West Lockinge and the pair now very much operate as a team, training among a menagerie of animals at the converted farm. A first Cheltenham Festival success came in 1997 when Karshi, owned by the then racecourse chairman and Knight’s brother-in-law Lord Vestey, landed the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle. As well as Best Mate’s three Gold Cups, Knight has enjoyed other successes at the Festival via Edredon Bleu in the 1998 Grand Annual Chase and 2000 Queen Mother Champion Chase and with Lord Noelie in the 2000 Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Away from the Cheltenham Festival, her biggest wins have included the 2003 King George VI Chase with Edredon Bleu, who also won Huntingdon’s Peterborough Chase for four years from 1998 to 2001. Maximize landed the 2001 Feltham Novices’ Chase for the stable while Best Mate’s big wins include the 2000 Martell Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, the 2000 Independent Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, 2001 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, 2001 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, 2002 Peterborough Chase, 2002 King George VI Chase and the 2003 Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown. In more recent times, Racing Demon landed the Peterborough Chase in 2006 and 2007, while Somersby has been a standard bearer in Grade One contests, gaining his first victory at the top level in this year’s Victor Chandler Chase whilst filling the runners-up spot in the 2010 Arkle and last year’s Victor Chandler Chase.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1992 Whats The Crack (13th); 1997 Full Of Oats (Fell 1st); 2003 Chives (PU bef 12th), Maximize (Fell 19th), Southern Star (14th); 2004 Southern Star (PU 18th); 2011 Calgary Bay (Fell 4th)

Dominic Elsworth

Dominic Sebastian Elsworth, who hails from Guiseley near Leeds and was born on January 17, 1980, has come a long way since “wobbling off” his first ever ride in public. He has ridden since the age of eight, mixing hunting, eventing and point-to-pointing and says he ended up as a jockey because he wasn’t bright enough to do anything else at school! He joined Sue and Harvey Smith near Bingley in West Yorkshire at the age of 16 and left to become a freelance 10 years later in July, 2006, when he moved down south. He had one of his biggest successes when winning the Becher Chase over the National fences on Ardent Scout at Aintree in November, 2002, and won Wetherby’s Castleford Chase twice aboard Mister McGoldrick, who gave him a first Cheltenham Festival success in 2008 when winning the Byrne Group Plate aged 11 at odds of 66/1. He won the 2007 John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree on Bambi De L’Orme. Elsworth was out of action for 14 months after being concussed and injured in a fall at Ffos Las in August, 2009, but returned to a heros’ welcome when winning on his comeback ride, the Paul Webber-trained Edgbriar, at Cheltenham in October, 2010. He rides primarily for Paul Webber and Henrietta Knight and recorded a Grade One victory earlier this season aboard the Knight-trained Somersby in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2003 Southern Star (14th); 2004 Arctic Jack (Fell 1st); 2005 Native Emperor (UR 9th); 2006 Ross Comm (Fell 4th); 2007 Le Duc (UR 6th); 2008 Simon (UR 25th); 2011 Skippers Brig (9th)

CAPPA BLEU (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Pistolet Bleu - Cappagale (Strong Gale)

10-10-10 Form: 1/3F2P/133 Owners: William and Angela Rucker

Trainer: Evan Williams Breeder: Thomas O’Connor Jockey: Paul Moloney Cappa Bleu

Cappa Bleu made his racing debut in a point-to-point at Tullow on February 10, 2008, when he fell at the penultimate fence after running an encouraging race. He returned seven days later at Knockanard and showed promise in second behind Dreamy Sweeney before breaking his maiden tag at Kilworth point-to-point in comfortable fashion on March 1. He returned after a short break on April 27 at Ballybunion point-to-point, winning well despite the heavy ground. After his sale to William and Angela Rucker, he came to Britain to be trained by Sheila Crow and, following a brace of point-to-point victories, he was sent to the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival where, despite his relative inexperience, he annihilated the field to win by 12 lengths. He switched from Crow to Evan Williams for a campaign geared around a return to The Festival for chasing’s Blue Riband, the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, the 2009/2010 season didn’t pan out as expected. After finishing third of five on his seasonal return at Aintree over two and a half miles of the Mildmay Course in late October, he lined up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury but fell at the 15th when beaten. The fall reportedly knocked his confidence and he returned in February in a three mile novices’ hurdle at Taunton, finishing second behind the progressive Voramar Two. Connections were encouraged enough to run him in the three-mile Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he was found wanting, pulling up before the last. He left Williams and rejoined Crow for the 2010/11 season to participate in some point-to-pointing so that he could regain his confidence. That appeared to be a shrewd move, because he has returned this season in very good form, winning on his seasonal debut at Haydock on November 19, before finishing third in the Coral Welsh National over Christmas despite the desperate ground. That promising effort earmarked a crack at the John Smith’s Grand National and he completed his preparation for the Aintree showpiece at Ascot on February 18, where he was third to Massini’s Maguire in the Listed Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase. Race Record: Starts: 8; Wins: 2; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £59,674

William and Angela Rucker

William Rucker, born on June 18, 1963, is chief executive of Lazard’s London operations. The bank dates back to 1848 and is one of the world's pre-eminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operating from 40 cities across 24 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. William joined Lazard in 1987, having previously qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He is also chairman of Quintain Estates and Development plc and Crest Nicholson Holdings Ltd, as well as being a non- executive director of Rentokil Initial. His wife Angela is from a legendary point-to-point family, being the grand-daughter of Major Harold Rushton, who rode 86 winners, and the daughter of Pat Tollitt, who rode 171 winners between the flags and was champion lady rider on six occasions. Angela herself is also a talented rider and trains pointers. The Ruckers are based at Himbleton in Worcestershire and also have horses with a variety of point-to-point trainers, including Sheila Crow, who trained their Cappa Bleu to win the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. Horses that progress to run under Rules are sent to Evan Williams, who has been well supported by Angela’s family since he began training. Major winners for owner and trainer include State Of Play, who won the 2006 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November 2008, while becoming a John Smith’s Grand National star by finishing fourth to Mon Mome in the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National, third behind Don’t Push It in the 2010 and fourth behind Ballabriggs in the 2011 renewal. .High Chimes landed the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for them at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

Evan Williams (Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan)

Unrelated to the winning jockey of the 1937 Grand National who bears the same name and also hails from the Cowbridge area, Evan Williams was born on April 3, 1971, on his family’s farm in the village of Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan. He used to get up at dawn to milk the cows before going to school. He took over the running of the farm full-time when he was 17, concentrating firstly on dairy farming and then beef when the price of milk dropped. He also started training a few point-to-pointers in 1997 but the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 decimated his herd and restrictions on the movement of livestock wiped out the point-to-point season. Williams sold his cattle at a loss after the outbreak and went to Ireland to buy 18 horses with the proceeds, going on to be champion point-to-point trainer and jockey in 2002. He took out his full training licence the following year and rode his first winner, Cherry Gold, in a hunters’ chase at Chepstow on April 22, 2003. Williams enjoyed his first big-race success at the same course in December of that year, when saddling Sunray to win the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at odds of 40/1. The winners continued to flow and Williams shot to national prominence with State Of Play, who followed up success in a handicap chase at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting in April, 2006, with victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury seven months later. The chaser has since gone on to triumph in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, while other big race success has arrived courtesy of High Chimes, who gave Williams a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the 2008 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, and Grade Two scorers Deep Purple and Simarian. In the 2009/10 season, Barizan emerged as a top-class juvenile hurdler, winning a Grade One at Punchestown after finishing second in both the JCB Triumph Hurdle and in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at Aintree. Williams is assisted by top amateur James Tudor, who was champion point-to-point rider in 2007 and partnered High Chimes to his Cheltenham success. He is married to Cath who continued to train point-to- pointers after he took out his professional licence, saddling over 50 winners in two seasons including the prolific Cannon Bridge, who chalked up nine wins in a single campaign. They have three children William, Isabel and Ellie. Evan is the son of former amateur jockey Rhys Williams. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

Paul Moloney

Paul Moloney formerly shared a house in Newmarket with former champion Flat jockey Jamie Spencer and was born on October 17, 1978, hailing from New Inn, close to Ballydoyle in Co Tipperary. He was heavily involved in both hunting and show jumping and rode his first point-to-point winner at Quin in 1996 for trainer Danny O'Connell. He spent school holidays with Jim Bolger, working alongside Tony McCoy and leading Flat rider Ted Durcan, and later joined Michael Hourigan, for whom he rode his first three winners. His initial success under Rules came on Vain Princess at Clonmel in June, 1995. Moloney was one of Ireland's leading amateurs and shared the 1998/99 title with Philip Fenton. Moloney also spent time with Christy Roche while in Ireland. He came to Britain for tuition from Yogi Breisner before turning professional and relocated to Newmarket during the 2002/2003 season when he rode mainly for Ian Williams. He enjoyed big race success at Aintree in 2006 when he rode State Of Play to victory in a handicap chase and teamed up with the same horse to secure the biggest win of his career so far in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury in November, 2006. He has finished fourth (2009 and 2011) and third (2010) on the same horse in the John Smith's Grand National. He rides mainly for State Of Play's trainer Evan Williams and his biggest wins include Deep Purple's victory in the 2009 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and Tiger O'Toole's victory in the Grade Two Holloways Hurdle at Ascot in January, 2011.This season he has taken the decision to get off State Of Play in favour of Cappa Bleu in the John Smith’s Grand National. John Smith's Grand National Record:2002 Iris Bleu (Fell 5th); 2004 Royal Atalza (PU bef 29th); 2007 Graphic Approach (Fell 2nd); 2008 Vodka Bleu (PU 19th); 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

CHICAGO GREY (IRE) FACTFILE

gr g Luso - Carrigeen Acer (IRE) (Lord Americo)

9-10-13 Form: 533/230261/13105/313211F2510-U3032 Owner: John Earls

Trainer: Gordon Elliott IRE Jockey: Paul Carberry Breeder: Anne Lalor

Chicago Grey

Chicago Grey was bred by Dick and Anne Lalor, who have been breeding horses with the prefix Carrigeen for more than 30 years at their yard at Lisronagh, County Tipperary. The Luso gelding made his debut for trainer Noel Glynn in a Leopardstown bumper in December, 2007, in which he finished seventh under Dick and Anne’s daughter Liz, and subsequently came home third in similar contests at Punchestown and Cork. He was sent hurdling for the 2008/2009 campaign and went down by a short-head on his first start over the smaller obstacles at Fairyhouse in November, 2008, but failed to improve on that effort in four subsequent starts for Noel Glynn. Chicago Grey joined Gordon Elliott in the spring of 2009 and made a winning debut for his new trainer with a comprehensive victory in a Perth maiden hurdle that April. He followed up with another victory at Thurles in November, 2009, and ran well to take third in the Grade Two Tara Hurdle at Navan the following month. He claimed the notable scalp of Mourad in a Listed hurdle at Thurles later the same month but failed to shine in two subsequent hurdle starts, in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and a Grade Three contest at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting. Chicago Grey was sent chasing for the summer of 2010 and he posted a neck success over Prince Erik in a Galway beginners’ chase that July before going on to further victories at Navan in September and at Cheltenham in October. He headed back to Prestbury Park for his next two starts, falling at the second last when staying on well in November and filling the runner-up spot behind Time For Rupert a month later. He ran a good race to take fifth in the Grade One Fort Leney Novice Chase at Leopardstown later the same month and was given a break prior to recording the biggest success of his career to date in the National Hunt Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, when he readily beat Beshabar by four and a half lengths. He failed to reproduce that form on his next outing as he could only finish eighth behind Beshabar in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and unseated Paul Carberry on his first appearance of the current season in a Cheltenham handicap chase on October 15. Chicago Rock made a quick reappearance at Wetherby two weeks later, coming home third behind Weird Al in the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase, but never seemed to be travelling when trailing home last in a Grade Three handicap chase at Cheltenham on November 12. He returned to hurdles to come home third in a Grade Two contest at Gowran Park on January 26 and warmed up for this year’s John Smith Grand National at the same course on February 18, when he survived a couple of late jumping errors to take second behind Rubi Light in the Grade Two Red Mills Chase.

Race Record: Starts: 30; Wins: 7; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 8; Win & Place Prize Money: £140,178

John Earls

John Earls founded Earls Engineering Kiltullagh Ltd in 1983 and the Galway-based company specialises in constructing and erecting steel frame buildings including equestrian stables, workshops, industrial units and spectator stands. He has been involved in owning and breeding horses for over 20 years, although he had to wait until July, 2007, to enjoy a first success as Hoopy, who he also bred, scored for trainer Noel Glynn in a novices’ hurdle at Roscommon. Earls has been a keen supporter of Gordon Elliott since the trainer took out a licence 2006 and the pair have combined for numerous successes over the past few seasons, most notably with Hoopy and Chicago Grey, who won the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2011. Earls’ son Sean was formerly a pupil assistant with last year’s John Smith’s Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain and now trains point-to- pointers at Earls’ own yard in Galway. Earls has also had a horse in training in Britain with Richard Guest, who rode Red Marauder to victory in the John Smith’s Grand National in 2001.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Gordon Elliott IRE (Trim, County Meath)

Born on March 2, 1978, in Summerhill, Co Meath, Gordon Elliott was a very successful point-to-point rider, who also partnered winners under Rules. He started his racing career while still at school, working at Tony Martin's stable in County Meath, Ireland. From there, he moved to Britain, joining Martin Pipe in 2002, and during his spell in Somerset his six rides as an amateur included one winner. Elliott then returned to Ireland for another term at Martin's stables. In 2004, Barry Callaghan bought Capranny Stables at Trim in County Meath. When Elliott started his training career, early in 2006, those stables became his base. Elliott’s first runner under Rules came at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival, when Brandon Mountain was pulled up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. He continued to send runners over to the UK and enjoyed almost instant success, most notably with Arresting, who notched up four victories between May and July, 2006. Elliott’s John Smith’s Grand National victory with Silver Birch in 2007 was remarkable not only because he was only 29 at the time, but also because he had yet to saddle a winner in his native country. The winners in Ireland soon followed and Elliott enjoyed big- race success with the former Epsom Derby fifth Salford City, who won the Grade Two Tipperary Hurdle in October, 2007. Elliott saddled Salford City to finish third in a Grade Two chase at Saratoga, USA, in August, 2008, and the gelding also contested the Grade One New York Turf Writers Cup Chase at the same course three weeks later. Elliott recorded an initial Grade One victory with Jessies Dream in the Drinmore Novice Chase in December, 2010, and celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival successes in 2011 with Chicago Grey in the National Hunt Chase and Carlito Brigante in the Coral Cup. The trainer has also enjoyed major Flat success with Dirar in the 2010 Ebor at York.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 SILVER BIRCH (WON); 2009 Silver Birch (Fell 22nd); 2010 Backstage (UR 20th); 2011 Backstage (10th)

Paul Carberry

Born February 9, 1974, Paul Carberry has inherited a wealth of riding talent from his father Tommy, who won the 1975 Grand National on L'Escargot. He followed in his father's footsteps when partnering Bobbyjo, trained by Tommy, to a popular victory in the 1999 Grand National. That success came two years after he lifted the Topham Trophy over the big Aintree fences aboard Joe White. His brother Philip is also a successful rider, while his sister Nina is a leading amateur. Over more than a decade, Carberry has forged a reputation as one of the most stylish jockeys - a talent nurtured through hunting, show jumping and point-to-pointing in Ireland. He rides principally for Noel Meade in Ireland. Carberry was Irish champion in 2001/02 and 2002/03. Nicknamed ‘Alice' in the weighing room, Carberry is a renowned party person and once suffered a bizarre injury when being head-butted in the stomach by a deer while out hunting. He has been successful aboard numerous high-class horses including Harchibald, Iktitaf, Direct Route, Dorans Pride, Beef Or Salmon, Limestone Lad, Go Native, Looks Like Trouble and Pandorama. He has partnered 12 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Carberry made the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2006 when he was sentenced to two months imprisonment for setting fire to a newspaper on an Aer Lingus flight, although this was reduced to community service on appeal. In October, 2009, he failed a breath test for alcohol before riding at Naas and was banned from riding for 30 days. He has now resolved not to drink again until his riding career is over and has recorded the highs and lows of his life to date in the autobiography “One Hell Of A Ride”, which was published in October, 2011. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1994 Rust Never Sleeps (Fell 27th); 1996 Three Brownies (6th); 1997 Buckboard Bounce (4th); 1998 Decyborg (PU bef 27th); 1999 BOBBYJO (WON); 2000 Bobbyjo (11th); 2002 Ad Hoc (BD 4 out); 2003 Ad Hoc (UR 19th); 2004 Joss Naylor (PU bef 19th); 2005 Colnel Rayburn (Pulled up bef 27th); 2006 Sir Oj (Fell 22nd); 2007 Dun Doire (PU bef 27th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd), 2010 King Johns Castle (Refused to Race); 2011 Backstage (10th)

DEEP PURPLE (GB) FACTFILE

b g Halling (USA) - Seal Indigo (IRE) (Glenstal (USA)) 11-11-03 Jump Form: 1111129/411P2121/11P46/3U34-1F Owner: Paul Green

Trainer: Evan Williams Breeder: Bricklow Ltd Jockey: Jamie Moore

Deep Purple

Deep Purple was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock for 40,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Sales in 2002. He was sent into the care of Marcus Tregoning and made a winning debut on the Flat at Kempton over ten furlongs in July, 2004, before a string of disappointing efforts which led to him being transferred to Andrew Balding in August, 2005. However a change of scenery failed to reignite the spark he had shown on his debut and after two more poor showings at Windsor and Newbury in August and September, 2006 he embarked on a National Hunt career with Welsh handler Evan Williams. He made a winning debut for Williams in a novices’ hurdle at Stratford in May 2007, before two further victories in small fields at Newton Abbot in June and Exeter in October, continuing to show his liking for a sound surface. After his excellent start connections raised their sights and ran him in a Listed novices’ hurdle at Kempton in late October, where he impressed with his attitude, making all the running to beat off the useful French Opera for a two length success. With four victories under his belt he was next sighted at Ascot’s Christmas meeting in the Grade Two Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle over two miles, where he led from pillar to post to score in determined fashion by two and a half lengths. After those two pattern successes he was pitched into Grade One company in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January, 2008. Despite the soft ground he still ran a brave race in defeat, finishing a length and a half behind the Paul Nicholls trained Breedsbreeze. Although it was his first defeat of the season, connections believed he would put up a bolder showing on better ground and two months later he lined up at the Cheltenham Festival in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over two miles on good to soft ground. However things did not pan out ideally for Deep Purple, who appeared to be further back than ideal and he did not jump with his usual fluency, but still ran a respectable race to finish ninth of the 16 runners. After that effort he was put away for the summer and returned with a disappointing chase debut at Wetherby in early November, 2008, but he atoned for that fourth place finish with a nice victory at Taunton four weeks later. He was stepped up in class at Ascot on December 19, in the Grade Two Noel Novices’ Chase over two miles and three furlongs and jumped his opponents silly from the front with his only mistake coming at the last when he had the race wrapped up. He was turned out quickly eight days later at Kempton’s Christmas meeting in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, but he was very disappointing, pulling up before the third last. This was the first of three disappointing performances at Kempton over fences in Deep Purple’s career to date and Evan Williams revealed he bled on every occasion. After a short absence he returned to the racecourse in early March 2009 at Sandown where he finished second in a four-runner novices’ chase, but he soon got back on track with an easy victory at Hereford 11 days later. On his next start he lined up at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting in the Grade Two John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase and put up a bold display, only finding Tartak too good. He bagged his second Grade Two success of the season at Ayr in the Future Champion Novices’ Chase, routing his rivals to score by nine lengths. The bay gelding returned in fine fettle for the 2009/10 season, capturing the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and the Grade Two Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on his first two starts. However a return to Kempton for the King George VI Chase over Christmas saw him break a blood vessel and he was pulled up before the tenth. He wasn’t seen again until March, 2010, in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but he put in a much improved display to finish fourth to the classy Albertas Run. That rival took the spoils again at Aintree in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase, but Deep Purple was beaten over twice as far in sixth suggesting he didn’t run up to his best form. He reappeared in October, 2010, for the Charlie Hall Chase, but he could not emulate his victory from the year before and finished a staying-on third over the three-mile trip. Unfortunately, he unseated on his next outing in the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Newbury in mid December. However he put in a more encouraging display in February 2011, at Ascot in the Ascot Chase, finishing third behind Riverside Theatre but he couldn’t replicate that performance when fourth at Aintree in the Betfred Bowl. As a result of that effort he made his debut in handicap company in the London National on his reappearance at Sandown on December 3. Despite the three mile, five furlong trip being a big concern he appeared to relish it and won going away from his toiling opponents. However on his latest start at Kempton in the Grade Three Racing Plus Chase he was very disappointing and fell when well beaten.

Jump Race Record: Starts 26; Wins: 12; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 2; Win & place prize money £295,299

Paul Green

Paul Green - head of Retail Property Holdings - qualified as a chartered accountant before making his fortune in the world of high finance and property development. He was born in Northampton on September 1, 1942, and raised in Bletchley. The company developed one of Britain's biggest shopping centres, the Silverburn in Glasgow, at a cost of £350 million. The centre opened in October, 2007. He subsequently named a horse Silverburn (a full-brother to Denman) who won two Grade One chases. An owner for over 30 years, he also has the distinction of having been champion trainer in Jersey, his adopted home. Green has enjoyed plenty of big winners as an owner in Britain and Ireland over the years, both on the Flat and over jumps. The two best horses to have carried his silks are Hors La Loi III and Carvill's Hill. The former won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 1999 and added the Champion Hurdle in 2002, a race in which he was runner-up to the great Istabraq in 2000. Carvill's Hill's major wins included the Hennessy Gold Cup in Ireland and the Coral Welsh National. Green also won the 1998 Gold Card Hurdle Final with Unsinkable Boxer, and the Challow Hurdle and the Long Walk Hurdle with the enigmatic Tyrone Bridge, who was runner-up in the 1990 Ascot Gold Cup. In recent seasons Green has seen his colours carried to success by Deep Purple, who is a five time Grade Two winner over hurdles and fences. Green also owned one of this year's leading John Smith's Grand National fancies Junior, who he had with Brian Meehan on the Flat and Alan King over jumps prior to selling him to Middleham Park Racing for 35,000 guineas in May 2010. On the Flat, Bajan Sunshine won the 1983 Cesarewitch just three days after Green purchased him, while the 2000 renewal of the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot went the way of Autumnal, owned in partnership with his wife Jenny. As well as Evan Williams, his trainers have included Paul Nicholls, Martin Pipe, Francois Doumen, Ed Dunlop, Kevin Prendergast, Brian Meehan, Mick Easterby, Neville Callaghan, Jim Dreaper, Jeremy Noseda, James Fanshawe, Brendan Powell, Paul Webber, Andrew Balding, Gary Moore, Richard Phililips, Robert Alner, Francois Cottin, Nicky Henderson, Alan King and Green’s stepson, Nick Walker.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2001: Unsinkable Boxer (PU 20th); 2007 Eurotrek (PU 22nd); 2011 Eurotrek (PU 17th).

Evan Williams (Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan)

Unrelated to the winning jockey of the 1937 Grand National who bears the same name and also hails from the Cowbridge area, Evan Williams was born on April 3, 1971, on his family’s farm in the village of Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan. He used to get up at dawn to milk the cows before going to school. He took over the running of the farm full-time when he was 17, concentrating firstly on dairy farming and then beef when the price of milk dropped. He also started training a few point-to-pointers in 1997 but the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 decimated his herd and restrictions on the movement of livestock wiped out the point-to-point season. Williams sold his cattle at a loss after the outbreak and went to Ireland to buy 18 horses with the proceeds, going on to be champion point-to-point trainer and jockey in 2002. He took out his full training licence the following year and rode his first winner, Cherry Gold, in a hunters’ chase at Chepstow on April 22, 2003. Williams enjoyed his first big-race success at the same course in December of that year, when saddling Sunray to win the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at odds of 40/1. The winners continued to flow and Williams shot to national prominence with State Of Play, who followed up success in a handicap chase at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting in April, 2006, with victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury seven months later. The chaser has since gone on to triumph in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, while other big race success has arrived courtesy of High Chimes, who gave Williams a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the 2008 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, and Grade Two scorers Deep Purple and Simarian. In the 2009/10 season, Barizan emerged as a top-class juvenile hurdler, winning a Grade One at Punchestown after finishing second in both the JCB Triumph Hurdle and in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at Aintree. Williams is assisted by top amateur James Tudor, who was champion point-to-point rider in 2007 and partnered High Chimes to his Cheltenham success. He is married to Cath who continued to train point-to-pointers after he took out his professional licence, saddling over 50 winners in two seasons including the prolific Cannon Bridge, who chalked up nine wins in a single campaign. They have three children William, Isabel and Ellie. Evan is the son of former amateur jockey Rhys Williams. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

Jamie Moore

Jamie Moore was born on January 31, 1985. He is the son of Brighton trainer and former jockey Gary and brother of former champion Flat jockey Ryan. Another brother Josh is currently a conditional jockey and sister Hayley has ridden as an amateur on the Flat as well as commentated on races. He qualified to ride in the 2003 John Smith's Grand National only at the last minute with trebles on consecutive racing days at Haydock and Plumpton the week before the race and completed when 13th on Royal Predica. Moore was originally attached to Martin Pipe's stable but went freelance in July, 2005. He turned professional at the end of the 2002/03 season and his big wins include a dead-heat first place on Horus in the Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury and a clear-cut success for It Takes Time in the Ascot Chase. He was champion conditional in 2003/04 with 48 wins. He has already twice enjoyed victory over the National fences on Dunbrody Millar in the 2007 John Smith's T opham Chase and on Endless Power in the 2008 Grand Sefton Chase. He also had a big-race victory on Heathcote in the 2007 Betfair Trophy at Newbury. Last season he gained a Grade Two victory on Sire De Grugy in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton. The horse has developed into a high-class hurdler this season with placed efforts in the Betfair Hurdle and the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Other flagbearers for Moore include Fruity O'Rooney, who won at Kempton over Christmas prior to placed efforts in the Sky Bet Chase and JLT Specialty Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this year. John Smith’sGrand National Record: 2003 Royal Predica (13th); 2006 Le Duc (UR 8th), 2007 Thisthatandtother (PU 30th), 2011 Santa's Son (PU 16th).

GILES CROSS (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Saddlers’ Hall - Mystockings (Idiot’s Delight)

10-10-01 Form: 311P/P2F123/P22/121 Owner: KCMS Partnership

Trainer: Victor Dartnall Breeder: Mrs Kay Birchenhough Jockey: Paddy Brennan

Giles Cross

Giles Cross, named after a landmark near Dorchester, was bred by his owner Kay Birchenhough. He started his racing life in point-to-points, trained by John Dufosee, but it was soon apparent he could make a mark in a bigger pond and transferred to Victor Dartnall’s small Devon establishment. In his first season over hurdles he won twice, at Chepstow and Exeter, before being pulled up in a Listed handicap (won by Time For Rupert) on the Friday of the Grand National meeting three years ago. His first victory over fences came at Chepstow in January 2010 and two months later ran a creditable third to 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised in the Midlands Grand National, last of three finishers in a gruelling edition of the Uttoxeter contest. He has also shown his effectiveness over extreme distances with runner-up spots in last season’s Eider Chase and this season’s Welsh National, efforts punctuated by victories in Fontwell’s Southern National in November and, on his latest run, the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February. Neither Giles Cross’s dam Mystockings (ran twice) nor grand-dam Lake View Lady (placed once in a bumper) showed much ability. But Lake View Lady, by Little Buskins, bred two winners in Lamh Eile (a bumper, a hurdle race and three chases) and Melstock Meggie (a bumper, a hurdle race and a chase) and is a half sister to the high-class hurdler Aonoch, twice a winner of the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National meeting. Race record: Race Record: Starts 16; Wins: 5; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 2; Win & place prize money £122,481

KCMS Partnership

Based near Dorchester in Dorset, Kay Birchenhough, 64, bred Giles Cross and races him with two friends, Canada resident Jane Addison, 72, and Sally Weld, 70, from Dorset. Mrs Birchenhough and husband Tony used to be in the agricultural industry, supplying machinery to most of Dorset’s farmers, and now have 60 acres for two broodmares and their youngstock. Horsepower of various sorts has been a family motif; during the 1970s Tony drove the Le Mans 24-Hour race eight times, winning the class for two-litre sports cars on three occasions. Mrs Birchenhough’s first horse was Crumpet Delite, who graduated from point-to-points to join Jenny Pitman, for whom he won at Listed level. Giles Cross will be Mrs Birchenhough’s first Grand National runner but there are Aintree connections. A part-owner of the 1969 Grand National winner Highland Wedding was John Addison, father of Jane Addison, and both Giles Cross and Highland Wedding won the same maiden point- to-point at the Portman meeting early in their careers. Jane Addison will be flying in from Canada for the race but Sally Weld, after back surgery, will be watching from a Dorchester hospital bed. John Smith’s Grand National record: no previous runners.

Victor Dartnall

Victor Dartnall (born November 2, 1948) is based on Exmoor at Higher Shutscombe Farm, Brayford, near Barnstaple in North Devon. He has a racing family background; his father Desmond was a professional jockey and later a trainer. After a successful stint as an amateur rider, Dartnall started his training career with point-to-pointers and handled two British champions before taking out a full licence in 1998. He currently has a string of some 30 horses and has maintained a high strike-rate, particularly with staying chasers. As well as Giles Cross, there are or have been Exmoor Ranger, a Grade 3 winner at Ascot earlier in the season and third in the Kim Muir Chase at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, progressive Roudoudou Ville, a close third on a Cheltenham Grade 3 chase in December, and Russian Trigger, winner of the Midlands Grand National three years ago. The stable also houses the promising Ambion Wood, winner of Sandown’s NH Hurdle Final in March.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National winners

Paddy Brennan

The 2010 victory aboard Imperial Commander in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup provided Paddy Brennan with what he described as the best day of his life and he attempted to become the first jockey since Jim Culloty in 2002 to land chasing’s two biggest prizes, partnering Irish Raptor in the John Smith’s Grand National but they fell at the 14th. Brennan was born at Ardrahan in Co Galway, Ireland on April 13, 1981, and spent the summer of 1995 working for County Kildare handler Gerry Stack before embarking on a five-season apprenticeship with the leading Irish Flat trainer Jim Bolger, for whom he rode eight winners. The first of those came on Ivory Isle at Gowran Park in August, 1998. He became too heavy and tall for the Flat and moved to Paul Nicholls' stable in England as a conditional jockey in 2001. He stayed there for two and a half years, riding winners for Nicholls and Jeff King, before joining Philip Hobbs in the 2003/04 season as one of that yard's conditionals. Brennan also struck up a good rapport with Ashley Brook, on whom he won the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2005, and enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival success that year aboard Shamayoun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Brennan was appointed as retained rider to owners Andrea and Graham Wylie for the 2006/07 season after dropping into trainer Howard Johnson's County Durham yard for a cup of tea and toast. He rewarded those connections when guiding Inglis Drever to victory in the 2007 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham - the gelding's second success in the race. Brennan left Johnson and joined Gloucestershire-based handler Nigel Twiston-Davies in the 2007/08 season. He has built up an increasingly impressive record of big-race successes, bagging his sixth career Cheltenham Festival success when Pigeon Island won the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle on the same day as Imperial Commander’s win. He has a good record at Aintree, including Ashley Brook’s win in the 2005 John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase and Hakim’s victory in that year’s totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the big fences. He was on Pettifour when taking the 2008 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, rode Irish Raptor in 2009 when scoring over the National fences in the John Smith’s Topham Chase, took the 2009 John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase on Tartak, captured the 2010 John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle on Khyber Kim and was successful on Nacarat in the 2011 totesport Bowl. He left Twiston-Davies to become a freelance in late March last year and has had 77 British winners this season (up to April 12). John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2005 Double Honour (UR 21st); 2007 Bewleys Berry (Fell 22nd); 2008 Fundamentalist (Fell 3rd); 2009 Knowhere (PU 25th);2010 Irish Raptor (Fell 14th).

14-10-00

Owner: Seamus Murphy Breeder: Peter Casey

Hello Bud

HELLO BUD (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Jurado (USA) - Orchestral Sport (IRE) (Orchestra)

Form: 0600/P004/4003111P/116P11/035U005P/1PP-5U654

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Trained near Guiting Power in Gloucestershire by Nigel Twiston-Davies, 14-year-old Hello Bud is the oldest entry in this year’s John Smith’s Grand National. His Scottish National triumph in 2009 was gained under then stable jockey Paddy Brennan, but the trainer’s son, Sam, took over in the saddle when the gelding, who likes to be up with the pace in his races, was fifth to Don’t Push It in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree. The horse warmed up for Aintree in the 2009/10 season by unseating in the Coral Welsh National and then finishing unplaced in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock and Cheltenham’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase. After his Aintree exertions in 2010, Hello Bud was pulled up in the Sandown Gold Cup and began his 2011 John Smith’s Grand National warm up with a fantastic effort over the famous course, gaining victory in the totesport.com Becher Chase in November. However, he was pulled up in his final prep for the Grand National behind West End Rocker in the totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick on January 15, 2011. In the Aintree feature itself he ran disappointingly and was pulled up at the 29th. He began his preparation for this year’s race at Wincanton in early November, when fifth behind The Minack, before unseating Sam Twiston-Davies in the Betfred Becher Chase a month later. He has finished sixth, fifth and fourth on his three most recent starts - at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, Warwick two weeks later and at Newbury on March 3, with the middle performance being easilt the best. Bred in Ireland by County Meath-based Peter Casey, Hello Bud was trained by his breeder when he made his debut in a bumper at Kilbeggan in May, 2003. Two more unplaced bumper efforts (when ridden by his trainer/breeder) followed, and a maiden hurdle run was no less successful before Hello Bud disappeared from the racing scene for two and a half years until reappearing in point-to-points in the spring of 2006. He soon made his mark, winning three in succession, and later tried hunter chasing and handicap chasing without success for Casey, until, in November, 2007, he had his debut in Britain from the yard of former trainer David Wintle and carrying the colours of current owner Seamus Murphy. Unplaced on that occasion in a handicap hurdle at Towcester, Hello Bud subsequently won three handicap chases for his new handler, and maintained the winning momentum after being transferred the short distance to Twiston-Davies following Wintle’s retirement at the end of the 2007/08 season. He won three more handicap chases before going to Ayr for his biggest success. If successful on April 14, Hello Bud would become the second oldest winner of the John Smith’s Grand National after 15-year-old Peter Simple who won in 1853. Race Record: Starts: 32; Wins: 8; 2nd: -; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £253,589

Seamus Murphy

Seamus Murphy, an owner since 1974, has a long-standing relationship in Ireland with trainer/breeder Peter Casey, who trains at Stamullen, Co Meath, close to the Co Dublin border and the town of Balbriggan, where Murphy is based. Among the horses that Casey currently trains for Murphy are Jack The Bus and Fingal Rock. It was Casey who bred Hello Bud, selling him to Murphy early in 2006. Murphy, incidentally, also owned a greyhound called Hello Bud. The horse had some success in Ireland, winning three point-to-points, but in the summer of 2007 Murphy transferred him to David Wintle’s stable in Gloucestershire. Even at that stage, the ambition was a place in the John Smith’s Grand National. Hello Bud won three successive handicap chases while with Wintle, but in 2008 the trainer retired, recommending that Murphy transfer the gelding to the nearby stables of Nigel Twiston-Davies. The agreement was made by phone and although the horse won three of his first five outings after the change of stables, Murphy did not meet his new trainer until the Scottish Grand National in April, 2008. Hello Bud’s victory that day - with £114,000 winning prize money - remains Murphy’s most significant win. Murphy, who has two businesses - sand & quarrying and environmental services - travelled to Aintree to watch Hello Bud finish fifth in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2010 Hello Bud (5th); 2011 Hello Bud (PU 29th)

Nigel Twiston-Davies (Guiting Power, Gloucestershire)

Nigel Twiston-Davies initially combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. He has since gone on to register more than 1,400 successes. Born on May 16, 1957, Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners as an amateur under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Guiting Power, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture and currently assists Lucinda Russell. Twiston-Davies adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. He is the only current trainer to have won the Grand National more than once, saddling Earth Summit to victory in 1998 and Bindaree four years later. The 2001/2002 campaign had been relatively quiet by Twiston-Davies' high standards before Bindaree provided him with his second John Smith's Grand National success. Afterwards he revealed that he had been intending to give up training, but despite "having a bigger debt than Argentina" after buying out Scudamore, the Aintree victory made him have a change of heart. Twiston-Davies has had 13 successes at the Cheltenham Festival, gaining three victories on the final day of the 2010 Festival, with Imperial Commander showing his best form to win the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Baby Run capturing the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase under 17-year-old son Sam and Pigeon Island taking the last race, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. This followed a double with Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase and Tricky Trickster in the National Hunt Chase in 2009. Imperial Commander went on to win the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, 2010, but was pulled up in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Other big-race successes include the bet365 Gold Cup with Beau, the Hennessy Gold Cup with King's Road, the Scottish Grand National with Captain Dibble (1992), Earth Summit (1994) and Hello Bud (2009), and the Welsh Grand National with Earth Summit (1997) and Bindaree (2003). His best season numerically was last season when he saddled 97 winners. His teenage sons Sam and Willy are both jump jockeys. John Smith's Grand National Record: 1994 Young Hustler (BD 11th); 1995 Camelot Knight (Fell 21st), Dakyns Boy (UR 10th), Young Hustler (UR 3rd); 1996 Young Hustler (5th), Captain Dibble (11th); 1997 Camelot Knight (3rd), Dakyns Boy (8th), Grange Brake (Refused 27th); 1998 EARTH SUMMIT (WON); 1999 Earth Summit (8th), Camelot Knight (BD 22nd); 2000 Camelot Knight (15th); 2001 Beau (UR 20th), Spanish Main (Fell 1st); 2002 BINDAREE (WON), Frantic Tan (UR 5th), Beau (UR 14th); 2003 Bindaree (6th); 2004 Shardam (UR 3rd), Bindaree (UR 6th); 2005 Bindaree (11th), 2006 Baron Windrush (UR 3rd); 2007 Knowhere (UR 8th); Naunton Brook (PU bef 23rd), 2008 Fundamentalist (Fell 3rd), Ardaghey (Fell 4th), Naunton Brook (PU 19th), Knowhere (UR 25th); 2009 Battlecry (16th), Ollie Magern (Fell 2nd), Fundamentalist (PU 21st), Knowhere (PU 25th); 2010 Hello Bud (5th), Beat The Boys (PU 19th), Ballyfitz (Fell 22nd), Ollie Magern (PU 28th); 2011 Hello Bud (PU 29th), Grand Slam Hero (Fell 13th)

Sam Twiston-Davies

Born October 15, 1992, Sam Twiston-Davies was still studying for AS-level exams at school in Gloucestershire, when he had his first Cheltenham Festival winner and Grand National ride as one of racing’s most accomplished amateur riders. The son of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and his estranged wife, Cathy, (who both rode as amateurs), Sam was successful in pony racing before starting in point-to-points in the 2008/09 season when becoming eligible at the age of 16. Within a few weeks, on December 28, 2008, he rode his first winner between the flags, taking a race at Cottenham in Cambridgeshire on Grenfell, trained by his mother. At Ludlow on February 18, 2009, he scored his first success under Rules when partnering Baby Run, owned and trained by Nigel, to victory in a hunter chase. A career that was bound to flourish gained added lift through Baby Run, for he and Sam went on to finish third in the following month’s Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and later gained one of the season’s biggest prizes when teaming up for victory in the Champion Hunters’ Chase at the Punchestown Festival. They capped that in March, 2010, when returning to Cheltenham and running out easy winners of the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase. Sam then went to Aintree and partnered Hello Bud into fifth on his John Smith’s Grand National debut. He turned professional shortly afterwards. Sam has a younger brother, 17-year-old Willy, who took over on Baby Run in the 2011 Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, only to be unseated when leading at the second-last fence although he landed the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase on the horse a few weeks later. Sam partnered Hello Bud to victory in the 2010 Becher Chase over the Grand National course at Aintree in November and that same month gave Little Josh a brilliant ride to land the Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He writes a weekly column in the Racing Post every Monday. John Smith’s Grand National record: 2010 Hello Bud (5th); 2011 Hello Bud (PU 29th)

IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Old Vic - Lady Bellingham (IRE) (Montelimar (USA))

12-10-00 Form: 01212/31123/113/4/12P566U/3431U0-P3 Owner: Dessie Hughes

Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Breeder: Paschal Keenan Jockey: Niall Madden

In Compliance

In Compliance, a half-brother to the talented One Cool Cookie, began his career with the late Michael O’Brien for owner Sean Mulryan and made his debut in a bumper at Punchestown in April, 2004, finishing seventh. The following season he won a Fairyhouse bumper in November and a Punchestown maiden hurdle in January. In 2005/06, he was sent novice chasing and won his first two starts over the larger obstacles, before ending the season by being placed in Grade One contests at Fairyhouse and Punchestown. A Grade Three victory at Down Royal on his seasonal debut in 2006/07 preceded the biggest win of his career to date, when he got the better of 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December, 2006. That season ended with a third place in the Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup in April. After finishing fourth in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase in December, 2007, he was not seen out again until November, 2009, when he won the Listed Thurles Chase over two miles and six furlongs on his first start for Dessie Hughes and new owners the Westerly Breeze Syndicate. He followed up his winning return by taking second behind Joncol in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase the following month but was generally disappointing for the rest of last season. He did run over the Grand National fences, taking sixth in the John Smith’s Topham Chase behind Always Waining in 2091. Last season he ran five times, putting up his best performance of the season when taking the Cashel Chase at Thurles on February 24 and he ended the campaign with a distant 13th in the John Smith’s Grand National. He has made two appearances this season, pulling up at Limerick in December and finishing third, between 37 lengths, behind Killyglen at Down Royal on March 17.

Race Record: Starts: 29; Wins: 8; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 6; Win & Place Prize Money: £203,051

Dessie Hughes IRE (Curragh, County Kildare)

A highly successful jockey, Dessie Hughes (born October 10, 1943) partnered Davy Lad to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup and returned to Prestbury Park three years later to ride Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. He had four rides in the Grand National, including Davy Lad, but never managed to complete the course. Having always had one eye on the future, Dessie prepared his yard for three years before finally taking out a training licence in 1980 and the winners soon started flowing, including a first Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer when Miller Hall took the 1982 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His yard was struck down by a persistent fungal problem in the late 1980s which resulted in Hughes enduring several years of poor form, but the trainer began churning out the winners again in the late 1990s, with horses such as Guest Performance, Rathbawn Prince and Grade One winner Colonel Braxton being standard bearers. But it would be Hardy Eustace who would provide Hughes with some of his finest hours as a trainer. Owned by long-standing patron Lar Byrne, the Archway gelding won the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival before returning a year later take the Champion Hurdle under a superbly judged ride from Conor O’Dwyer. Hardy Eustace went on to victory at the Punchestown Festival and returned to Prestbury Park the following year for another victory in the Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House was another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown. Schindlers Hunt emerged as another star, winning two Grade One events as a novice chaser and finishing the head runner-up in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree in 2009.This season Hughes has unleashed another exciting novice hurdler in the shape of Lyreen Legend, an impressive winner of a Grade Two novice hurdle at Thurles in February. He also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner on nine consecutive racing days during the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey in Britain. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd), Vic Venturi (UR 20th); 2011 In Compliance 13th: Vic Venturi (BD 2nd)

Niall Madden

Niall Madden (born November 11, 1985) enjoyed his biggest career success in the 2006 John Smith's Grand National when successful on Numbersixvalverde. Madden's father, also called Niall, was universally known as 'Boots' Madden from his days as a young jockey at Edward O'Grady's yard when his boots were always too big for him. If the father is Boots it is hardly surprising that the son has become 'Slippers' Madden, and his father readily admits that Slippers is better at the game than he ever was. Slippers was a racing prodigy, his first winning mount coming in a handicap hurdle at Wexford on July 12, 2002, when he was just 16. The horse was a French-bred called Teknash, trained by his father. His second win came on the same horse 19 days later at Galway, and when he rode his third victory, on a J P McManus horse called Live Our Dreams at Naas, he was already being marked out as a star of the future. In his first season as an amateur, Madden had 10 winners, while he more than doubled that total the following year with 28 winners. His final season - the 2004/05 campaign - as an amateur was his best, his 39 successes earning him the Irish amateur crown. His most notable victory that season came when he partnered Numbersixvalverde to victory in the Thyestes Chase in January, becoming the first amateur to win the Gowran Park showpiece. It was not the first time that Madden had partnered his Grand National mount, that was at Navan in December, 2004, when the horse, running in his first handicap chase, was a comfortable winner. The pair attempted to land back-to-back John Smith's Grand Nationals when contesting the 2007 renewal but could only finish sixth. Madden had never ridden a winner in Britain before scoring on Numbersixvalverde. He enjoyed another British big-race victory on Jazz Messenger in the 2006 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. His father rode in the Grand National several times, enjoying his best placing when Attitude Adjuster finished fifth behind Rhyme 'N' Reason in the 1988 race.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2006 NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (WON); 2007 Numbersixvalverde (6th); 2009 Southern Vic (8th), 2010 Made In Taipan (Fell 5th)

JUNIOR (GB) FACTFILE

ch g Singspiel (IRE) - For More (FR) (Sanglamore (USA))

9-11-02 Jump Form: 2256/0230/521220/43131/321-02 Owner: Middleham Park Racing LI

Trainer: David Pipe Breeder: Paul Green Jockey: Tom Scudamore

Junior

Junior joined a select band of horses to win at Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2011, with a superb 24-length success under Jamie Codd in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase. The son of Singspiel had previously captured the Ascot Stakes in June, 2010, and he began his racing career on the Flat with Brian Meehan, winning three handicaps. He also made his debut over hurdles for the Manton handler and was sixth behind Gaspara in the Listed Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at The Festival in March, 2007. Junior moved to the yard of Alan King at the start of 2008 and returned to Cheltenham to finish an excellent third behind Naiad Du Misselot in the Grade Three Coral Cup at that year’s Festival. After registering a belated first win over hurdles in a Grade Two novices’ contest at Sandown in December, 2008, Junior ran another excellent race to chase home Diamond Harry in the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury later the same month. He finished a disappointing 10th in the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2009 and was sent chasing for the 2009/2010 Jump campaign. Junior posted a pair of victories over fences at Doncaster and Taunton and was purchased by Middleham Park Racing for £35,000 at Doncaster’s Spring Sale in May, 2010. He gave his new connections an immediate return on their investment when scoring on his debut for David Pipe in the Ascot Handicap at Royal Ascot the following month and followed that victory up with another fine effort on the Flat as he took second in the Goodwood Handicap at the end of July. Junior started the 2010/2011 season with a good third in a Grade Three handicap chase at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting and returned to the same course to come home third in a handicap hurdle on New Year’s Day, 2011. Following his emphatic victory at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, Junior headed back to Royal Ascot for another crack at the Ascot Handicap but he could only finish ninth in the two and a half-mile marathon. Keen to protect his mark for the John Smith’s Grand National, Junior made a belated seasonal return at Newbury on February 17, when coming home eighth under top-weight in an extended three-mile handicap hurdle. He returned to fences for the three and a quarter-mile Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on March 3 and ran an excellent race in defeat as he went down by a short-head to Ikorodu Road (who was receiving 22lb), despite being hampered by the fall of Pentiffic at the final fence and crowded by the winner near the line.

Jump Race Record - Starts: 24; 1st: 4; 2nd: 8; 3rd: 4; Win & Place Prize Money: £110,459

Middleham Park Racing

Middleham Park Racing (MPR) was set up in 1995, starting out with two syndicates, and has established itself as one of the main syndication companies in the UK, enjoying more than 400 winners. Notable horses to have carried the MPR silks to victory include Beverley Listed scorer Exceptional Art, Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival hero Junior, Epsom Dash scorer Captain Dunne and Scottish Grand National victor Beshabar. Tim Palin is the syndicate head and they have horses with a host of trainers on the Flat and over jumps including Richard Hannon, Sir Henry Cecil, David Nicholls, Richard Fahey, Nigel Twiston-Davies and David Pipe. The syndicate saw its colours carried in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National by Backstage, who completed in 10th, after buying a 50 per cent share in the Gordon Elliott-trained chaser from the Capranny Stable Staff Syndicate in December, 2010. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2011 Backstage (10th)

David Pipe (Nicholashayne, Somerset)

Born on February 7, 1973, David Pipe is the son of 15-time champion jump trainer Martin Pipe. He started out riding in point-to-points in 1992, going on to record 22 wins in his career over the next five seasons, plus two under Rules, which included victory aboard Bonanza Boy in the Ludlow Gold Cup. After finishing as a rider, he had spells with Michael Dickinson in the US, Criquette Head-Maarek in France and Joey Ramsden in South Africa, before setting up as a point-to-point trainer, handling the likes of Horus, Lord Atterbury and Celestial Gold, who went on to have successful careers under Rules when transferred to his father’s yard. Based at Purchas Farm, a mile away from his father’s Pond House, he sent out 164 point-to-point winners over six seasons, with Well Armed successful 15 times. He took over the reins at Pond House in Somerset following the retirement of his father on the last day of the 2005/6 jump season - Saturday, April 29. Pipe Jnr made the best possible start to his training career under Rules when getting on the scoresheet with his first runner, Standin Obligation, in a three mile and one furlong novice chase at Kelso on May 9, 2006. Our Vic landed the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, 2006, on his seasonal return to provide him with his first big success. In his initial season, David sent out 134 winners, with star filly Gaspara providing a memorable double in the Imperial Cup at Sandown and the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival three days later. Those achievements were surpassed in the 2007/2008 season with Comply Or Die's John Smith's Grand National victory augmented by the fantastic triumphs of stable stalwart Our Vic in Aintree's Grade Two totesport Bowl, in which he defeated the mighty Kauto Star, and in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. David has gone on to consolidate his position as one of the country's leading trainers and enjoyed eight victories at the Cheltenham Festival, including one this year, as well as tasting big-race glory with the likes of stable stalwarts Lough Derg, successful in the BGC Long Walk Hurdle, and Madison Du Berlais, who triumphed in the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2008. His best horse currently is the exciting novice chaser Grands Crus, who captured the Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park in December. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Puntal (8th), Celtic Son (PU bef 22nd); 2008 COMPLY OR DIE (WON), Madison Du Berlais (Fell 8th), Vodka Bleu (PU bef 19th), Joaaci (Fell 20th); 2009 Comply Or Die (2nd), Arteea (10th); 2010 Comply Or Die (12th), Piraya (13th), Pablo Du Charmil (Fell 2nd), Madison Du Berlais (Fell 19th), The Package (UR 19th); 2011 Piraya (19th), Or Noir De Somoza (Fell 6th), Comply Or Die (PU bef 29th)

Tom Scudamore

Born on May 22, 1982, Tom Scudamore was appointed stable jockey to David Pipe in the 2006/2007 season, marking a return to Pond House in Somerset where he began his career as an amateur for Pipe's father Martin, and where his own father Peter Scudamore, was also stable jockey. Tom comes from an illustrious line of jockeys. His great-grandfather Geoffrey rode winners as an amateur, grandfather Michael was Oxo's pilot when winning the 1959 Grand National and his father was eight-times champion jockey with 1,677 successes but never won the John Smith's Grand National, achieving his best finishing position on third-placed Corbiere in 1985. Tom has made a big impression since leaving Cheltenham College after A-levels in 2000. He won the amateur riders' title in the 2000/01 season and also landed the 2001 Flat amateurs' championship. After 52 unpaid successes, he turned professional in October, 2001, and alongside the backing of Martin Pipe (to whom he was a conditional upon turning professional) he was supported by Nigel Twiston-Davies, to whom his father was formerly assistant. His biggest victories have come aboard Madison Du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Betfred Bowl at Aintree while he has enjoyed Grade One success on the tough staying hurdler Lough Derg and this season won the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase on Grands Crus. He also rides for his brother Michael, who took over the family's training licence from his grandfather in the 2008/09 season. Scudamore lives with his wife Charlotte and two daughters near Cullompton in Devon.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2001 Northern Starlight (UR 6th); 2002 Smarty (PU 9th); 2003 Blowing Wind (8th); 2004 Shardam (UR 3rd); 2005 Iznogoud (12th); 2006 Iznogoud (PU bef 27th); 2007 Puntal (8th); 2008 Madison Du Berlais (Fell 8th), 2009 Battlecry (16th), 2010 Madison Du Berlais (Fell 19th)

KILLYGLEN (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Presenting - Tina Maria (IRE) (Phardante (FR))

10-10-04 Form: 12215/11P1/2PP2P/2536F-030341 Owner: David McCammon

Trainer: Stuart Crawford IRE Breeder: Donal Murphy Jockey: Robert Power

Killyglen

Killyglen is the first foal of winning Irish point-to-point winner Tina Maria, and was sold to Ulsterman David McCammon for 21,000 euros as a four-year-old at Tattersalls Ireland in August 2006. The gelding made a winning debut in a two-mile Ayr bumper on November 26, 2007, for trainer Roy Wilson, based close to McCammon’s home in County Antrim. He progressed in four further starts that season, finishing second twice before winning a Downpatrick hurdle in March, 2008, and then finishing a fine fifth to Kalahari King in a competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival a month later. Wilson sent his charge to Carlisle for his chase debut in October, 2008 and Killyglen duly won, but his next start, at Ayr in January, 2009, came in the care of County Durham trainer Howard Johnson and brought an impressive win over Chief Dan George. Pulled-up behind Cooldine in the Grade One RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next time, he proved himself a top-class novice chaser at Aintree three weeks later when easily winning the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase over three miles and a furlong. The 2009/10 season commenced that October with a good second to the high-class Knockara Beau in a Carlisle graduation chase but things went awry thereafter as he was pulled-up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, a Doncaster handicap chase and the Scottish Grand National, although he did finish runner-up to Wogan in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster that March. Killyglen returned to County Antrim for the current campaign and joined the team of trainer Stuart Crawford. With the John Smith’s Grand National being the ultimate target, Killyglen started last season in a two and three-quarter mile Thurles handicap hurdle in which he was a close second to Silverhand. Pitched into the Grade One JNWine.com Champion Chase in November, he made the running until four out and faded to finish fifth behind Kauto Star. Back over hurdles in a two and a half-mile handicap at Punchestown in December, he was four lengths third to Four Chimneys. Killyglen was fancied to run a big race on his latest start in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on March 5. After making most under top-weight of 11st 12lb, he faded to finish 33 lengths fifth behind Always Right. Given that the race was over 16 seconds faster than standard and 8 seconds quicker than the previous year’s renewal, Crawford’s initial disappointment gave way to satisfaction that the horse ran a seemingly good trial for the John Smith’s Grand National. Indeed this was the case as he appeared to be going ominously well in the Grand National when falling at the 27th fence. He finished his campaign at Punchestown with a poor effort over hurdles, before returning this season with a promising third behind Ongenstown Lad at Gowran Park on September 30. He disappointed at Naas on his next start, but returned to form when finishing third behind fellow John Smith’s Grand National hope Cappa Bleu in a three-mile handicap chase at Haydock on November 19. The 10-year-old switched to hurdles at Cheltenham in December to finish fourth behind Oscargo before returning from a three-month absence to win the Daily Mirror Chase at Down Royal on March 17.

Race Record: Starts: 25; Wins: 6; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £105,603

David McCammon

David McCammon is a farmer with a plant hire business in Larne, County Antrim. He has owned horses for most of his life, having had them in training with another Larne man, Roy Wilson, County Durham-based Howard Johnson and now Stuart Crawford. It is Crawford’s close proximity to McCammon that prompted Killyglen’s arrival at the trainer’s Larne yard from Johnson’s. Crawford and McCammon live only about six miles apart. McCammon has already enjoyed a notable triumph at Aintree thanks to Killyglen who landed the Grade Two Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National meeting. His winning pointer Inverglen is also in training with Crawford and was sixth in a novice hurdle at Downpatrick on March 7, while the useful mare Glen Harley won three races under Rules for McCammon when trained by Wilson.

John Smith’s Grand National record: 2011 Killyglen (Fell 27th)

Stuart Crawford IRE (Larne Co Antrim)

Stuart Crawford, born October 13, 1975, trains near Larne, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. He represented Ireland at senior level in eventing at the World Equestrian Games and European Championships. He switched his attention to point-to-point and jump racing, taking out a permit for a few years before gaining his full trainers’ licence in the summer of 2010. His yard is split 50/50 between pointers and National Hunt horses. His first runner under Rules was Sigma Telecom at Ayr in November, 2004. His first winner under Rules came when the mare Oh Jackie landed the prestigious banks race, the La Touche Cup at the 2008 Punchestown Festival. That remained Crawford’s only victory under Rules in Ireland until this season where he has trained five winners so far. But, given his location close to the ferry route to the British mainland, he has enjoyed greater success on these shores. Last season he had 12 winners in Britain, with Scottish and northern English tracks such as Perth, Ayr, Kelso and Sedgefield proving to be particularly profitable destinations for Crawford-trained horses. His best season point-to-pointing in Ireland came in 2009/10 when he saddled 17 winners. John Smith’s Grand National record: 2011 Killyglen (Fell 27th)

Robert Power

Robert Power, born May 27, 1981, enjoyed the biggest thrill of his career in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National when urging Silver Birch to a thrilling three-quarters of a length triumph. Power is the son of legendary Irish showjumper and trainer Captain Con Power, who is regarded as the top man in Ireland to deal with horses who find it difficult to jump properly. A silver medallist at the European Junior Showjumping Championships in 2000, Power made the switch to jump racing the following year and rode his first winner on only his third attempt when partnering his mother's Younevertoldme, trained by Jessica Harrington, in a hurdle race at Punchestown in December, 2001. He is attached to Harrington's County Kildare stable where he began as an amateur after receiving encouragement from Richard Dunwoody. His first winner as a professional came on the Paddy Mullins-trained Bob What at Leopardstown in February, 2002. He partnered the Mullins-trained Nearly A Moose to success in the 2003 Galway Plate. That victory came after he had sprung to prominence in Britain with a win aboard the Harrington-trained Intelligent in the Midlands Grand National earlier in the year. He was honoured at the 2004 Irish Jump Racing Awards as the leading claiming rider and in August of that year he partnered his first Australian winner to clinch victory in the annual Irish jump jockey challenge down under. A broken bone in a foot, sustained in a schooling accident, cost him the winning ride on Newmill in the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase. He followed his 2007 John Smith's Grand National triumph with a sensational victory aboard 20/1 shot Silent Oscar in the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, defeating hot favourite Mac's Joy by a neck. Power remains affiliated to the Harrington stable and rode the yard’s Bostons Angel to win three Grade One novice chases last term, including the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He has also ridden Oscars Well to a pair of Grade One novice hurdle triumphs last season for Harrington. Power has completed the course in three of his five starts in the John Smith's Grand National.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2005 Spot Thedifference (18th); 2007 SILVER BIRCH (WON); 2008 Nadover (7th); 2009 Silver Birch (Fell 22nd); 2011 Killyglen (Fell 27th)

MIDNIGHT HAZE (GB) FACTFILE

b g Midnight Legend - Gypsy Haze (Romany Rye)

10-10-00 Form: 12006/4P121/10P-16 Owner: Kim Bailey Racing Partnership

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: Sean Quinlan Breeder: Philip C & Mrs Kathryn M Dando

Midnight Haze

Midnight Haze was sold as a six-year-old by breeder and then trainer Philip Dando at Doncaster in August, 2008, for £22,000 after winning his debut bumper at Worcester in June. Scored for the first time over obstacles more than a year later when he took a novice chase at Kempton in November, 2009. He sustained a hairline fracture of the cannon bone when winning at Wincanton the following February, which truncated his season, but returned in November, 2010, with another success, at Ludlow. Has raced only twice this term, winning at Ludlow on his favoured easy ground before a sixth place in the cross- country chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. His sire is best-known for high-class staying chaser Midnight Chase but his maternal family is less exalted; his non-thoroughbred dam Gypsy Haze, a sister to triple hunterchase winner Bill Haze, was a point-to-point winner. Race Record: Starts: 15; 1st: 5; 2nd: 2; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £29,081

Kim Bailey Racing Partnership

The partnership was put together by syndicate manager Peter Kerr and comprises Allan and Jan Snow, Christine Elks, Geoffrey and Hilary Herdman, Huw and Carol Davies, Jim and Lynda Clark, Peter and Olive Smith, Richard and Susie Davies and Tony Kelly. The group includes an accountant, a solicitor, a railway health and safety worker and retired people, from all parts of the country. Kerr, from near Milton Keynes, has charge of three other ownership groups at the Bailey yard and all four horses involved have won. He came into syndicate managership after being made redundant from a computer supply company through a chance visit to now-retired trainer Peter Harris’s yard at Tring, and has been involved with top-level winners under both codes in Tidal Fury (jumps) and Primo Valentino (Flat). The Clarks and the Smiths were involved in the last-named, but none of the members in the Midnight Haze group have previously had a Grand National runner.

John Smith’s Grand National record: no previous runners

Kim Bailey

Born on May 25, 1953, Bailey was bred for the jump game as his father Ken was also a successful handler. Bailey currently trains at Thorndale Farm, Andoversford, Gloucestershire, having relocated from his native Northamptonshire in the summer of 2006, while he began his training career at Old Manor Stables in Upper Lambourn. Following a low-profile riding career, he served as assistant to Humphrey Cottrill, Tim Forster and Fred Rimell, before recording his first win as a trainer with Shifting Gold on January 7, 1978, at Sandown in the Anthony Mildmay Chase, a mere six days after taking over the reins from his father. He has trained some top-class jumpers who have rewarded him with training's highest accolades, notably the Grand National (Mr Frisk, 1990), Cheltenham Gold Cup (Master Oats, 1995) and Champion Hurdle (Alderbrook, 1995). Indeed, Bailey is the only current trainer to have won those three races. He has his own website, (www.kimbaileyracing.com), where he publishes a popular blog. John Smith's Grand National Record: 1983 Menford (Refused 19th); 1986 Late Night Extra (PU 11th); 1990 MR FRISK (WON); 1991 Docklands Express (Fell 1st), Mr Frisk (PU 22nd); 1992 Docklands Express (4th); 1994 Master Oats (Fell 13th); 1995 Romany King (6th), Master Oats (7th); 1996 Over The Stream (13th); 1997 Master Oats (5th), Glemot (Unseated 7th); 2000 Druid's Brook (UR12th); 2001 Supreme Charm (UR15th); 2002 Supreme Charm (5th); 2003 Wonder Weasel (Fell 3rd), 2004 Wonder Weasel (PU Bef 28th); 2007 Longshanks (7th)

Sean Quinlan

Born December 15, 1983 , Sean Quinlan started his career as a conditional rider with Edward O’Grady in Co Tipperary before crossing the Irish Sea to try his luck attached to Richard Phillips at Adlestrop. Arrived in Gloucestershire in August, 2005, and after a total of nine winners in his first two seasons recorded his best-ever total of 25 last season. His first winner in Britain was Phillips-trained Caesarean Hunter at Exeter in December, 2005, and his biggest was Chaninbar for Milton Harris in the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Red Rum Handicap Chase, a Grade Three two-miler, at the Grand National meeting two years ago. Over the past five seasons Midnight Haze’s trainer Kim Bailey, based near Andoversford, has supplied most of his winners. John Smith’s Grand National record: no previous rides

MON MOME (FR) FACTFILE

b g Passing Sale (FR) - Etoile Du Lion (FR) (New Target)

12-10-08 Form: 0U36245/U2121121U/422434/P3600/2102001-P3463F/52PP0 Owner: Vida Bingham

Trainer: Venetia Williams Breeder: Alexandre Deschere Jockey: Aidan Coleman

Mon Mome

Mon Mome caused a John Smith’s Grand National shock when storming to a 100/1 victory at Aintree in 2009. Ridden by National debutant Liam Treadwell, the gelding pulled 12 lengths clear of the previous year’s winner, Comply Or Die, and ensured his place in the race’s folklore. Mon Mome, born on April 29, 2000 and whose name means ‘My Kid', had just one run in his native France, finishing second in a Flat race at Pontivy in Brittany. His trainer Venetia Williams then purchased the horse and later passed him on to Vida Bingham. Mon Mome’s first outing in the UK was in a decent novices’ hurdle at Newbury in December, 2004, when he finished seventh of 12. The horse had six further races in the 2004-2005 season, all novices’ or maiden hurdles, without breaking his duck, doing best in two races at Fontwell when third and second. Mon Mome unseated his rider at the third fence on his chase debut at Cheltenham in October, 2005, but put that incident behind him and set about compiling an impressive sequence of results. In his next seven races, Mon Mome registered four wins and three seconds before unseating his jockey in the Scottish National at Ayr. Consistency was the name of the game in 2006-2007, with the horse placed in the top four in each of his six races, but without winning. He came close, though, finishing four lengths second to Halcon Genelardais in the Coral Welsh National, and, three weeks later, showed his powers of recovery by coming the same distance behind Ladalko in the totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick. Mon Mome's final outing of the 2006/07 campaign was in the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and again the horse acquitted himself well, finishing fourth. In the 2007/08 season he did not reappear until February, when he was pulled up at Wincanton. Ten days later, he contested a hurdle at Folkestone and, 36lb lower than his chase rating, was made favourite, but was tapped for toe and could only finish third. On the agenda for the second successive year was the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but he did not match the fourth place of a year earlier, plugging on for sixth. He then headed to Aintree for his first attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National and ran a decent enough race to finish 10th under Aidan Coleman. The 2008/09 campaign began brightly with a fine second behind Possol at Haydock in November and he built on that promise with his first win in over two years in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in December. That win saw him head the early market for the John Smith’s Grand National but he subsequently failed to reproduce that form after losing his confidence due to a jumping error in the Welsh National at Chepstow, in which he came home eighth. He was then second in a novices’ hurdle at Towcester, seventh to Rambling Minster in a handicap chase at Haydock and eighth in the John Smith’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter. Having been forgotten by most punters, Mon Mome emphatically returned to form at Aintree in April, relishing the big spruce fences and four and a half mile test. He returned to action for the 2009/10 season in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November but was pulled up four fences from home behind Denman. He stayed on well to take third in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham the following month and posted a pair of respectable efforts in valuable handicap chases at Haydock Park on his next two outings. He warmed up perfectly for a third attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National when staying on to be an excellent third in the Grade One Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, 2010, and was still in contention when falling five fences out in the Aintree showpiece. A setback ruled Mon Mome out of the whole of the 2010/2011 season and he returned to action at Haydock Park on December 17, 2011, when he came home fifth in a novices’ hurdle. He showed the benefit of that outing by filling the runner-up spot in a Cheltenham handicap chase on January 1 but was pulled up on heavy ground at Haydock Park on his two next starts - in the Peter Marsh Chase on January 21 and in the Betfred Grand National Trial on February 18. Mon Mome completed on his latest start but could only finish a well-beaten 12th in the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 13. Race Record Starts: 46; 1st: 6; 2nd: 10; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £751,521

Vida Bingham

The twin passions of Vida Bingham's life are bridge and Jump racing. A former international bridge player, Bingham represented England in the Lady Milne Home Internationals in 1980 and 1981, alongside her playing partner, the legendary world champion Dimmie Fleming. The pair met at Plumpton Racecourse, where Bingham has been a member for 42 years, and forged a lasting friendship through their common interests. Now 76 and a widow, Bingham first went racing at Towcester with her father just after the Second World War. She has owned five horses, all with Venetia Williams. Groom’s Gordon, her first, failed to trouble the judge over jumps, while Heron’s Ghyll, named after her home near Uckfield, East Sussex, won three times. Three’s a charm, so they say, and so it proved as her third horse, Mon Mome, has won six races, including the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National, and more than £700,000 in prize money. Wild Heron has not been so fortunate a purchase, while her latest acquisitions, Rydalis and Browns Brook, have yet to trouble the judge. She makes a point of going to seeing all her horses when they race.

John Smith’s Grand National record: 2008 Mon Mome (10th); 2009 MON MOME (WON); 2010 Mon Mome (Fell 26th)

Venetia Williams (King’s Caple, Herefordshire)

Venetia Williams began training in 1995 and her first part-season produced a respectable seven winners. Things really took off the following campaign when her score went up to 33. In 1997/8 there were 45 winners from her yard at King's Caple in Herefordshire and the following two seasons Williams sent out 74 winners on each occasion with a further 63 successes in 2002/2003, 78 in 2003/04, 80 in 2004/05, 77 in 2005/06, 76 in 2006/07, 69 in 2007/08 and 65 in 2008/09. Born May 10, 1960, Venetia Williams had a great deal of experience as an assistant trainer and rider before taking out a licence to train at her family's Herefordshire estate. She had 10 winners as an amateur through 1986-88 and rode in the 1988 Grand National on Marcolo, who knocked her unconscious when coming down at Becher's Brook, before she broke her neck in a fall shortly afterwards and was forced to retire on medical advice. She gained experience around the world to further her knowledge of training, starting off with seven years as assistant to John Edwards at Sellack, only a few miles from where she is now based. She also had spells with Martin Pipe and Barry Hills, John Fulton in the United States and Colin Hayes in Australia. She began with a string of limited size and talent but her success prompted great reaction and new owners flocked in with the result that her yard today stables more than 80 horses. The popular grey Teeton Mill was her standard-bearer in the late 1990s, winning the 1998 Hennessy Gold Cup and King George VI Chase. Her first venture on the Flat yielded a Group 3 winner when Stretarez won the 1998 Ormonde Stakes at Chester. She has recorded five wins at the Cheltenham Festival, the first of which being Samakaan in the 2000 Grand Annual Challenge Cup, and has also enjoyed notable success at the John Smith’s Grand National with Montalcino in the John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, Limerick Boy in the John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle and Mon Mome, who provided the trainer with the pinnacle of her career to date when winning the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1997 Don't Light Up (Fell 13th), Celtic Abbey (Unseated 15th); 1998 Celtic Abbey (Fell 5th); 1999 General Wolfe (12th); 2000 Kingdom Of Shades (16th); 2001 Inis Cara (Fell 4th), General Wolfe (Brought Down 8th); 2002 Inis Cara (PU Bef 25th); 2003 Bramblehill Duke (Fell 2nd); 2007 Sonevafushi (PU Bef 29th), The Outlier (Unseated 19th); 2008 Mon Mome (10th); 2009 MON MOME (WON), Stan (Fell 7th); 2010 Mon Mome (Fell 26th), Flintoff (PU Bef 21st)

Aidan Coleman

Born on August 17, 1988, and brought up in Cork, where his parents are both teachers, Aidan Coleman learned his trade on the Irish pony racing circuit, where he had over 100 winners. "It's brilliant and you learn to deal with the nerves too,” he said, “There was a lot of betting and the owners always wanted them to win. I was 12 or 13 and had one owner who always told me how many grand he had on his horse, but I never let it get to me. I still don’t.” Although his brother, Kevin, had become a jockey in Ireland and was doing well (so well, in fact that in August, 2007 he won the Galway Plate on Sir Frederick), Aidan opted instead to work in England. Through Irish trainer John Murphy, Coleman got a place at Henrietta Knight's yard, and it was her horse Silverbar that provided the young jockey with his first ride under Rules on December 23, 2006, at Hereford. At the end of the 2006/07 season, Coleman moved to Venetia Williams’ stable at King’s Caple and his first winner arrived in the shape of Tashkandi, who was successful in a selling hurdle at Uttoxeter in October, 2007. That victory put him on the fast track to success. In 2009, he partnered his first Cheltenham Festival winner when Kayf Aramis won the Pertemps Final. Coleman won on his first ride at Aintree as he partnered Stan to capture the matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase and he rode the same horse in the following year’s John Smith’s Grand National, thus missing out on winning ride on Mom Mome. Coleman, who writes a blog for the Racing UK website, has already won over the National fences this season, having ridden Stewarts House to success in the Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase in December. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Mon Mome (10th); 2009 Stan (Fell 7th); 2010 Mon Mome (Fell 26th); 2011 Grand Slam Hero (Fell 13th)

NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) FACTFILE

gr g Dom Alco (FR) - Castille Collonges (FR) (El Badr)

11-11-06 Form: 1111U1/1412113/216F01/3131/F14/B0106-P422 Owner: John Hales

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: G A E C Delorme Freres Jockey: Daryl Jacob

Neptune Collonges

Neptune Collonges made a flying start to his career in France, winning two chases at Pau over 2m1f as a back-end three-year-old. He followed up later in the season with another two victories at the south-west track before progressing to race at France’s premier jumping course, Auteuil. The grey gelding’s first appearance in Paris saw him unseat jockey Christophe Pieux before securing his first Auteuil win in the Prix Fleuret on April 20, 2005, which also marked his first Graded chase victory. With just one blot on an otherwise spotless juvenile record, it was no surprise that Neptune Collonges caught the eye of prolific bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley, who purchased him as a four-year-old for British owner John Hales. He made his first appearance for trainer Paul Nicholls in Britain in November, 2005, winning a novices’ hurdle at Chepstow by seven lengths. It wasn’t long before he accrued more black type, taking the Grade Two River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby in February, 2006, followed by a Grade Two novices’ hurdle at Haydock a fortnight later. His ended that season with third behind Black Jack Ketchum in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Neptune Collonges finished second to Our Vic at Wetherby on his seasonal debut for the 2006/2007 campaign and went on to win the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his next start. A brief return to hurdling saw him finish sixth behind Mighty Man in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Neptune Collonges fell in the Grade Two Argento Chase at Cheltenham in January, 2007, and he returned to Prestbury Park to finish eighth behind Kauto Star in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. He completed the season on a high note when winning the Punchestown Gold Cup, his first victory at the highest level. Neptune Collonges continued to show himself as a high-calibre chaser in the 2007/2008 season as he captured a Listed handicap chase at Wincanton and combined with his stable- mates Denman and Kauto Star to provide a memorable one-two-three for Nicholls in the 2008 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Better was yet to come as he returned to Punchestown to successfully claim back-to-back wins in the Punchestown Gold Cup. After falling on his first start of the 2008/2009 term in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, Neptune Collonges recorded his third Grade One chase success at the same course in February, 2009, with a five-length victory over Notre Pere in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup. He returned to Cheltenham the following month and ran another excellent race in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, this time coming home fourth behind Kauto Star, Denman and Exotic Dancer. He missed the whole of the following season and commenced the 2010/2011 campaign with a pair of disappointing effort in handicap chases as he was brought down early on in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and finished down the field in a Listed handicap at Cheltenham. Neptune Collonges bounced back to form with a game success in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham in January, 2011, but a couple of jumping errors cost him on his fourth appearance in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and he could only finish eighth behind Long Run. He ended the season by coming home sixth under top weight in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr the following month. This season began with another disappointing run in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26, when he was pulled up with three fences left, but he posted a better effort to take fourth in an Ascot Listed handicap on December 17. Further improvement followed as Neptune Collonges rallied to take second under top weight in a Sandown handicap chase on January 7, when he was conceding 26lb to the victorious Hold On Julio. He warmed up for the John Smith’s Grand National with another second, this time going down by a neck to Giles Cross in a thrilling finish to the Grade Three Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on February 18.

Race record - Starts: 35; 1st: 15; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 3; Win & place prize-money: £766,407

John Hales

John Hales is a successful businessman in the toy trade and hit the jackpot in making Teletubbies dolls. He formed Golden Bear Products in 1979 with Christine Nicholls and the company, which has its headquarters in Telford, Shropshire, is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of quality and reliable toy products. Hales, who was previously managing director of Chad Valley Toys, is now chairman of Golden Bear Products and the business looks set for another hugely successful year having been selected to produce soft toys of Wenlock, Mandeville and Pride the Lion - the official mascots of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Paralympics and Team GB. In the horseracing world, Hales is also a successful owner too and One Man, one of the most popular chasers, carried his colours with distinction and won 17 races for him. Tragically he sustained a fatal injury in the Melling Chase over the Mildmay Course at Aintree in 1998. Trained for him by Gordon Richards, the grey had provided him with some unforgettable memories, winning the King George VI Chase twice, the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Hales may have felt one success in that latter race was as much as could be asked, but along came the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop to win the race for him again in 2004, having won the Arkle Trophy in 2003. Other good horses he has had in recent years include Noland, while his present star is the grey novice Al Ferof. Hales has also tasted success with top-class showjumper Arko, ridden by Nick Skelton, whose sons Dan and Harry are both employed by Paul Nicholls. The owner’s daughter Lisa runs Shaw Farm Stud in Shropshire, one of the UK’s leading breeding operations for equestrian sport horses.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Paul Nicholls (Ditcheat, Somerset)

Paul Nicholls was born on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. The policeman’s son started out in racing as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury - in 1986 on Broadheath and a year later on Playschool, both sent out by Devon trainer David Barons. Nicholls partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, struggling always to keep his weight down, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. He has always trained at Paul Barber's Manor Farm, initially with just eight horses. Nicholls, who now has over 200 horses in training, quickly made his mark as a trainer with an early highlight coming on Saturday, November 7, 1998, when pulling off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from 10 runners and he later made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on January 21, 2006. Another early high point in his training career came at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival when he captured the major chase on each of the three days - Flagship Uberalles scored in the Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following day and, best of all, See More Business took the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers' championship over a number of years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, Nicholls claimed his first title the following season. He has retained his title on five occasions and is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Nicky Henderson for this year’s crown. Recent flag-bearers for Nicholls have included the brilliant 16-time Grade One winner Kauto Star, who became the first horse to win the King George VI Chase five times and the only chaser to regain the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Denman also captured the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and twice defied top weight to win the Hennessy Gold Cup, while Master Minded gained eight Grade One victories including two renewals of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Big Buck’s entered the record books on Thursday when winning the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle. It was his 17th consecutive win over hurdles,passing Sir Ken’s record set between 1951 and 1953. The French-bred has won an unprecedented Ladbrokes World Hurdles at Cheltenham. Nicholls celebrated a first victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle with Rock On Ruby this year and he is currently fourth on the all time list of trainers at the Cheltenham Festival with 32 wins to his name. Nicholls has yet to taste success in the John Smith’s Grand National and came closest to victory in the great race in 2005, when he sent out Royal Auclair to finish second behind Hedgehunter. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1992 Just So (6th); 1996 Vicompt De Valmont (10th), Deep Bramble (PU bef 2 out), Brackenfield (UR 19th); 1997 Straight Talk (Fell 14th); 1998 What A Hand (Fell 1st), Court Melody (Fell 6th), General Crack (PU 11th); 1999 Strong Chairman (15th), Double Thriller (Fell 1st), 2000 Earthmover (Fell 4th), Torduff Express (Fell 13th), Flaked Oats (Fell 20th), Escartefigue (UR 30th); 2001 Earthmover (Fell 4th); 2002 Murt’s Man (PU bef 17th), Ad Hoc (BD 27th); 2003 Montifault (5th), Fadalko (UR 6th), Ad Hoc (UR 19th), Shotgun Willy (PU bef 22nd), Torduff Express (UR 27th); 2004 Exit To Wave (PU bef 9th); 2005 Royal Auclair (2nd), Heros Collonges (8th), L’Aventure (15th), Ad Hoc (Fell 22nd); 2006 Royal Auclair (Fell 1st), Le Roi Miguel (PU bef 19th), Cornish Rebel (PU bef 19th), Silver Birch (Fell 15th), Le Duc (UR 8th), Heros Collonges (UR 15th); 2007 Royal Auclair (Fell 9th), Le Duc (UR 6th), Eurotrek (PU bef 22nd), Thisthatandtother (PU bef 30th); 2008 Cornish Sett (12th), Mr Pointment (PU bef last), Turko (Fell 25th); 2009 My Will (3rd), Big Fella Thanks (6th), Cornish Sett (17th), Eurotrek (PU 17th); 2010 Big Fella Thanks (4th), Tricky Trickster (9th), My Will (Fell 4th), Nozic (UR 20th); 2011 Niche Market (5th), Ornais (Fell 4th), The Tother One (Fell 6th), What A Friend (PU 27th)

Daryl Jacob

Born on August 28, 1983, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, the son of a fisherman, Daryl Jacob initially attended the Racing School in Kildare and then spent two years with Dessie Hughes before having a summer riding out Flat horses with Richard Hannon in Wiltshire. He then joined Robert and Sally Alner’s Dorset stable and rode their point-to-pointers, and after a season with Paul Keane returned to the Alners in the summer of 2006. He enjoyed a fantastic 2006/07 season, highlighted by success on The Listener in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December, 2007, his first victory in his homeland since he switched to Britain in 2003. During his time with Hughes, he became very friendly with Kieran Kelly, who died in a fall in 2003, and Daryl dedicated his Lexus triumph to Kieran, who was instrumental in encouraging him to make the move to England. It was the decision of owner Ray Humphreys to give the ride on The Listener to Jacob, having “jocked off” Andrew Thornton, and the partnership flourished in the 2007/08 season, with further Grade One victories in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Daryl enjoyed a dream 48 hours at the end of 2009, as he partnered the Nick Williams-trained Me Voici to victory in the Grade One Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27 and landed the Grade One Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury two days later on Reve De Sivola, also for Williams. On his first start in the John Smith’s Grand National in 2007, Daryl finished a gallant fourth on Philson Run, and the jockey has been successful over the famous fences with I Hear Thunder, who triumphed in the 2006 Grand Sefton Chase. He enjoyed his biggest success aboard the Williams-trained Diamond Harry in the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and also gained a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the 2011 JCB Triumph Hurdle with Zarkandar for Paul Nicholls.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Philson Run (4th); 2008 Philson Run (UR 8th); 2010 Maljimar (Fell 22nd); 2011 What A Friend (PU 27th)

NEPTUNE EQUESTER (GB) FACTFILE

b g Sovereign Water - All Things Nice (Sweet Monday)

9-10-00 Form: 44F3/2111F4230-315045 Owner: Koo’s Racing Club

Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Felix de Giles Breeder: Mrs Joanna Daniell

Neptune Equester

Did not appear until he was seven, finishing fourth in a chase at Newcastle on debut for Paul Murphy in January 2010, and had run only four times when he went under the hammer at Doncaster sales that April to settle an account, being knocked down to Kristian Strangeway, now head of the syndicate in whose name he now runs, for £15,000. He had advertised his ability the day before he went through the ring with a third place at Wetherby in another novices’ contest and confirmed his promise three weeks later at Sedgefield with a runner-up spot on his handicap debut. His first victory came over an extended three miles at Wetherby in May, a course and distance success repeated in June. He had the pace to win over two miles on the Flat at Carlisle in July last year and showed his aptitude over extreme distances when he took a three-and-a-half mile handicap chase at Haydock in November. He is the first of his modest maternal family in four generations to shine on a racecourse; his dam All Things Nice failed to win either under Rules or in point-to-points, his grand-dam Penny’s Affair won a point-to- point, his great-grand-dam Tuppeny Fair was unraced and her dam Tenpenny failed to score on the Flat or over jumps. His unfashionable sire Sovereign Water was giver few opportunities and Neptune Equester, bred by Gloucestershire point-to-point enthusiast Jo Daniell, is one of his best performers, now rated higher than Supreme Charm, fifth in the Grand National ten years ago. Race Record: Starts: 25; Wins: 5; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £57,747

Koo’s Racing Club II

York-based Kristian Strangeway only set up the Koo’s Racing Club three years ago in conjunction with trainer Brian Ellison but in that short time they have already had runners at the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and Melbourne Cup with the icing on the cake coming on Saturday when Neptune Equester gives the Club a starter in the John Smith’s Grand National. “We’d had a few two-year-olds then looked to buy some horses in training and having the Grand National runner is the final piece in the jigsaw for us,” said Strangeway, who bought Neptune Equester for £15,000 at Doncaster sales in April, 2010, on the advice of jockey Keith Mercer. There are a number of syndicates within the Koo’s Racing Club with six people in Neptune Equester’s partnership. Strangeway has the largest share with other members coming from Redcar and the Scottish borders. Saptapadi represented the club in last year’s Melbourne Cup, finishing 16th. No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners.

Brian Ellison (Malton, North Yorkshire)

Born on June 28, 1952, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where his father was a shipbuilder, Ellison has established himself as one of the country’s leading dual-purpose trainers, based at the 64-box Spring Cottage Stables at Malton in North Yorkshire. After his hopes of becoming a professional footballer were dashed when he was told he was too short for the job, he decided to become a jockey, despite the fact that he had never ridden a horse. He left school aged 15 to join Harry Blackshaw’s stable and one of the highlights of a 21-year career as a journeyman rider, from 1968 to 1989, came when riding the outstanding Tingle Creek in a Worcester handicap chase in 1976. He began training in leased stables in County Durham in 1989 and his first winner Corbett’s Diamond came that November at Hexham. He bought his present base in 1995 and enjoyed his 500th winner in May when Odin’s Raven scored at Sedgefield. His biggest Flat successes have included Moyenne Corniche’s totesport Ebor victory last season. Ellison has targeted the big Australian autumn handicaps with the likes of Carte Diamond and Moyenne Corniche. His biggest jumping winners include Marsh Warbler in the 2010 Grade One Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham while his major Aintree victories have come from the likes of Batswing in the 2004 John Smith’s Beefeater Restaurants Handicap Hurdle and Zibilene in the same year’s John Smith’s No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle. No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners.

Felix de Giles

The son of Wiltshire trainer Jonathan de Giles, Felix was born on February 17, 1989, and is one of several jockeys who graduated from the pony racing circuit. He had his first winner under Rules when Hunting Lodge won a Huntingdon maiden hurdle on June 8, 2006, and became apprenticed to Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson in October, 2007. His only Cheltenham Festival success to date came aboard the Henderson-trained Andytown in the 2009 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. He has developed a good association with one former Henderson assistant, Charlie Longsdon, this season and also ride the first winner trainer by another, Tom Symonds, when Alpha Way scored at Hereford in November. No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides.

ON HIS OWN (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Presenting - Shuil Na Mhuire (IRE) (Roselier (FR))

8-10-11 Form: 10/414P1-B1 Owner: Semore Kurdi

Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Breeder: Margaret Treacy Jockey: Ruby Walsh

On His Own

On His Own made a winning debut for owner/trainer Oliver McKiernan in a point-to-point at Maralin in October, 2009, and the Presenting gelding also enjoyed a winning start to his career under Rules when taking a Leopardstown bumper in December of the same year. He was bought by trainer Howard Johnson, acting on behalf of Graham Wylie, for a then-record £240,000 at Brightwells January Sale in January, 2010. On His Own was pitched into Grade One company for his first start for Wylie and Johnson but faded to come home down the field behind Cue Card in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival. He made just one start over hurdles, finishing fourth behind Bobs Worth in a Cheltenham novices’ hurdle on New Year’s Day, 2011, before a successful debut over fences two weeks later with a comfortable success over subsequent Scottish Grand National runner-up Nine De Sivola in a beginners’ chase at Musselburgh. He was pulled up in the National Hunt Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival but ended the season on a high note with an impressive victory in a novices’ handicap chase at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting. On His Own was transferred to the care of Willie Mullins for the start of the 2011/2012 season, after Johnson was banned for four years. He was brought down when beaten at the penultimate fence in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27, his first start for Ireland’s champion trainer. The lightly-raced horse returned to form with a career-best performance in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Thurles on January 26, when he stayed on well to beat Tullintain by 13 lengths.

Race Record: Starts: 9; Wins: 4; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £65,756

Semore Kurdi

On His Own will run in the colours of Semore Kurdi after the north-east businessman purchased a one-day lease of the horse in a charity auction in May, 2011. Graham Wylie, who owns On His Own, had originally intended to lease Prince De Beauchene, also trained by Willie Mullins. But an injury to his leading hope stopped that intention. Wylie offered the prize to raise money for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, where his daughter Kiera underwent three major and successful operations since her birth in December, 2009. Kurdi, a good friend of Wylie, was born in Jordan and moved to Tyneside at the age of 10 with his mother, who was raised in the North East. A qualified rugby union coach, Kurdi became the owner of Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club in September, 2011, having previously bought a 40 per cent stake in the club 12 months earlier. He also has interests in land, agriculture and property as well as owning an equestrian centre at South Dissington in Northumberland. Kurdi was also the driving force in founding the Burgham Horse Festival in 2010, which has become the North East’s premier equestrian event. Kurdi will gain 25 per cent of the winnings if On His Own finishes in the top six. No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Willie Mullins IRE (Bagenalstown, County Carlow)

Born on September 15, 1956, Willie Mullins was six-times amateur champion rider in Ireland and his major successes in the saddle included the 1983 John Smith’s Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on Atha Cliath when the also-rans were partnered by the likes of Robert Waley-Cohen and Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury, before taking out a training licence in 1988 and is now the country’s pre-eminent jump handler. As a jockey in the John Smith’s Grand National, his rides included The Ladys Master, who ran out in 1983, and Hazy Dawn, who fell at the sixth the following year. He hails from one of Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of the late Paddy Mullins, the outstanding all-round trainer whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Cheltenham Festival race in which he has enjoyed seven winners (also Florida Pearl 1997, Alexander Banquet 1998, Joe Cullen 2000, Missed That 2005, Cousin Vinny 2008 and Champagne Fever 2012). Mullins’ best chaser to date has been Florida Pearl, who was placed in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the 1998 RSA Chase, the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups in Ireland as well as the 2001 King George VI Chase and the 2002 Betfred Bowl at Aintree. In 2011, he trained the brilliant Hurricane Fly to win the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, having won the Irish equivalent in January. He has saddled 24 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, more than any other current Irish handler. Mullins has approaching 200 horses at his Closutton yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and his first John Smith’s Grand National runner as a trainer, Micko's Dream, fell at the first in 2000. The loquacious Mullins, a former chairman of the Irish Trainers' Federation, also suffered heartache in 2004 when Hedgehunter departed at the final fence in the John Smith’s Grand National when looking assured of a place. He overcame bad luck in the John Smith’s Grand National the following year when Hedgehunter came home 14 lengths clear of Royal Auclair. Hedgehunter was then second in 2006, ninth in 2007 and 13th on his final start in 2008 when stable companion Snowy Morning came third. He has been champion Irish jump trainer for the past four seasons and is on course for a fifth title in 2011/2012. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Micko's Dream (Fell 1st); 2002 Alexander Banquet (UR 6th); 2004 Alexander Banquet (Fell 18th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th), Homer Wells (PU bef 22nd), Bothar Na (PU bef 29th), Livingstonebramble (UR 6th); 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd), Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 Snowy Morning (9th), Irish Invader (11th); 2010 Snowy Morning (6th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th); The Midnight Club (6th), Dooney’s Gate (Fell 6th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Ruby Walsh

Ruby (Rupert) Walsh rides for the champion stables of Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland and - along with Tony McCoy - leads the current generation of jump jockeys. Born May 14, 1979, and based in Co Kildare, Ireland , he is the son of 11-times Irish amateur champion jockey, Ted Walsh, now a trainer and television pundit. Ruby is the second of Walsh's four children and his younger sister Katie is a successful amateur who had two wins at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival and will be aboard Seabass in the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National. Ruby’s other sister, Jennifer, acts as his agent. Ruby had his first success under Rules aboard Siren Song at Gowran Park on July 25, 1995, and followed in his father's footsteps when capturing the Irish amateurs’ championship at the age of 19 while still studying for his Leaving Certificate. He was champion Irish National Hunt jockey in his first season as a professional (1998/99) and has taken the title a further seven times (2000/2001, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10). W alsh has won the John Smith's Grand National twice on Papillon (2000, trained by his father) and Hedgehunter (2005). He is the most successful jockey of all time at the Cheltenham Festival with 34 victories and has been leading rider at The Festival six times (2011, 2010, 2009 (when he recorded a record seven winners), 2008, 2006 and 2004). His Cheltenham victories include the 2007 and 2009 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup with Kauto Star, three Queen Mother Champion Chases (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 and 2009 Master Minded), the Champion Hurdle (2011 Hurricane Fly) and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 Big Buck’s). There are few omissions in his list of big-race successes and he has also won five King George VI Chases on Kauto Star. His autobiography was published in October, 2010. He is married to Gillian and the couple have a daughter, Isabelle, who was born in October, 2009. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 PAPILLON (WON); 2001 Papillon (4th); 2002 Kingsmark (4th); 2003 Shotgun Willy (PU bef 22nd); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th); 2008 Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 My Will (5th); 2011 The Midnight Club (6th)

ORGANISEDCONFUSION (IRE) FACTFILE

br g Laveron - Histologie (Quart de Vin)

7-10-08 Form: 00F514/063121/33F5 Owner: Grace Dunlop

Trainer: Arthur Moore IRE Breeders: Tim Murray and Arthur Moore Jockey: Miss Nina Carberry

Organisedconfusion

Named after a mix-up over a restaurant booking when his trainer and owners were on holiday in Tenerife. The youngest in the field as a May-foaled seven-year-old, Organisedconfusion marked himself as a contender for the John Smith’s Grand National with his victory in last year’s Irish National, when he had two other of this year’s Aintree contenders, Sunnyhillboy and Quiscover Fontaine, back in third and fourth place. It was the gelding’s third, most prestigious and most recent victory, all of them over fences. He has raced four times since, starting with two third places over hurdles at Fairyhouse and Gowran Park in November and December. On his first run back over fences at Leopardstown in January, reunited with big-race rider Nina Carberry, he fell at the first and in March produced a staying-on fifth over an inadequate two and a quarter miles at Gowran. Organisedconfusion was part-bred by his trainer Arthur Moore in partnership with Tim Murray - who was his (Moore’s) first owner when he started training - and made £17,000 when he was offered at Doncaster sales as an unbroken three-year-old. The gelding was bred in Ireland from two French-foaled parents, his sire Laveron and dam Histologie. Laveron, a dual Grade 1 hurdles winner at Auteuil, stood in Northern Ireland when his best son was conceived and is now based in France. Histologie, by the top-class French jump sire Quart De Vin, did not race but is from an excellent family. She is a half-sister to smart chaser Moncadou; the dam of the pair is ten-time winner Palencia, who herself is a half-sister to one French jumping legend, Ucello, out of a sister to another, King George VI Chase winner Nupsala.

Race record: Starts 16; 1st: 3; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £146,573

Grace Dunlop

Tim Murray, co-breeder of Organisedconfusion, was Arthur Moore’s first owner when he started training. Alan and Grace Dunlop, from Balloo, near Killinchy in Co Down, Northern Ireland, were the second. Their first prestige winner was the Moore- trained Yankee’s Princess in the 1983 Irish Lincoln and the mare went on to breed the high-class chaser Delphi Lodge, whose seven wins (in partnership with Mark Ferran) for Tom Taaffe included the 1998 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. The Dunlops currently have two horses in training, Organisedconfusion (whom they acquired over dinner and drinks on holiday in Tenerife with the Moores) and Back To Balloo, with their local trainer Colm McBratney and runner-up in a novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Dunlop’s business is agricultural machinery.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Arthur Moore (Naas, County Kildare)

As a jockey, Arthur Moore was joint champion Irish amateur in 1969 before turning professional. He won the 1971 Irish Grand National on King's Sprite and rode more than 60 winners. Born on September 15, 1949, Moore spent six years assisting his father Dan, who trained L'Escargot, twice winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as the 1975 Grand National, and high- class chaser Tied Cottage, before taking out a training licence himself. Joan Moore, Arthur's mother, also trained before and after Dan's death and made history as the first woman to become a steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, and the first woman to manage Punchestown Racecourse. Arthur Moore trained his first winner in 1975, while his initial British success came when Royal Bond won at Ascot on October 29, 1980. Moore's stables are at Dereens, near Naas in County Kildare, from where he has sent out a string of big-race winners including Klairon Davis (1994 Dennys Gold Medal Chase, 1995 Arkle Chase, 1996 Queen Mother Champion Chase), Drumgora (1981 Queen Mother Champion Chase), The Brockshee (1982 Arkle Chase), Feathered Gale (1996 Irish Grand National) and Organisedconfusion (2011 Irish Grand National). Moore's eldest son, J D, is a successful amateur and runs a breaking yard in Lambourn, while his other son, Andrew, rode Mon Oiseau for Arthur in a charity race at Punchestown in April, 2006. Arthur’s daughter Anna, a bloodstock agent, is married to fellow bloodstock agent Kevin Ross - who purchased the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Mullacurry (Fell 1st), 1984 Clonthturtin (Fell 6th), 1985 Clonthturtin (PU bef 24th), 1990 Thinking Cap (Fell 3rd), 1994 New Mill House (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Back Bar (Fell 7th), Wylde Hide (UR 22nd), Feathered Gale (PU bef 27th), 2002 Lyreen Wonder (UR 20th), 2005 Glenelly Gale (PU bef 28th), Marcus Du Berlais (UR 22nd); 2006 Native Upmanship (Ref 27th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd); 2010 King Johns Castle (Refused To Race)

Miss Nina Carberry

Nina Carberry, who was born on July 21, 1984, has been hailed by many as the best female jockey they have seen. The amateur rider and her jockey brothers Paul, Philip and Peterjon were bred for the job. Their father Tommy, a former Irish champion jockey who won the 1975 Grand National on L’Escargot, is now a trainer and saddled Bobbyjo to win the 1999 John Smith’s Grand National with Paul in the saddle. Their mother Pamela is a sister of top trainer Arthur Moore and the daughter of L’Escargot’s trainer Dan Moore. Nina has partnered four winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including three successes in the cross country chase on Heads Onthe Ground (2007) and Garde Champetre (2008 & 2009). She rode her first winner on Sabrinsky in the Ladies’ Derby on the Flat at the Curragh on July 15, 2001. Carberry is the only female jockey to have ridden in the John Smith’s Grand National three times and has completed the course on each occasion. She recently married Ted Walsh Jnr, making her sister-in-law to Katie and Ruby Walsh. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2006 Forest Gunner (9th); 2010 Character Building (7th), 2011 Character Building (15th)

PLANET OF SOUND (GB) FACTFILE

b g Kayf Tara - Herald The Dawn (Dubassoff (USA))

10-11-05 Form: 3/124221/41133/12F01/35-23 Owner: Charles Lloyd-Baker

Trainer: Philip Hobbs Jockey: Richard Johnson Breeder: Charles Lloyd-Baker

Planet Of Sound

A notably consistent horse, Planet Of Sound has won six and been placed in ten of his 21 races. Bred by his owner, Charles Lloyd-Baker, Planet Of Sound has been trained near Minehead in Somerset throughout his career by Philip Hobbs, who first ran him as a five-year-old in April 2007. Ridden by Richard Johnson the gelding finished third of 16 in a Haydock bumper, was given the summer off and then won when reappearing in a novices’ hurdle at Chepstow in November. He then finished runner-up in three of his next four races before gaining victory number two when beating another John Smith’s Grand national entrant, Calgary Bay, in a hurdle race at Newbury in April 2008. The following November Planet Of Sound made his debut over fences, finishing fourth over 2m at Sandown, but then won twice at Newbury and went to the Cheltenham Festival as a live contender for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy. He finished third to Forpadydeplasterer in that contest, and filled the same place behind Tartak in Aintree’s John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase. Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup marked the start of his 2009/10 season’s campaign, but after winning that he fell in Ascot’s Betfair Chase and was only 11th of 13 in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. That disappointment was forgotten when he landed the Grade One Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (beating War Of Attrition), but he managed just two outings the following season (3rd in Haydock’s Betfair Chase, 5th in the King George VI Chase) after suffering with infection in a leg. After 11 months away from the track he ran a blinder at the start of this season when second to Carruthers in Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup, and on his only other outing he was third to Tartak in Kempton’s Racing Plus Chase. He has never run over Aintree’s National fences.

Race record: Starts 21; 1st: 6; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £296,500

Charles Lloyd-Baker

Gloucestershire landowner Charles Lloyd-Baker is a director of Cheltenham Racecourse and a longstanding owner with Philip Hobbs. The former High Sheriff of Gloucestershire is a member of the Jockey Club and has acted as a raceday steward. The best horses he has owned include the Grade One winner Planet Of Sound and the useful From Dawn To Dusk, winner of the John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree in 2010. No previous John Smith’s Grand National winners

Philip Hobbs (Bilbrook, Somerset)

Born July 26, 1955, and one of Britain's leading jump trainers, Philip Hobbs first took out a training licence with only nine horses. His first runner, North Yard at Exeter in August, 1985, was a winner and there has been no looking back. He is based at Sandhill near Minehead, Somerset. He tasted big-race success as early as 1986/87 when Bonanza Boy was one of the season's top novice hurdlers. Putting behind him the disappointment of losing that horse to Martin Pipe, he has gone on to take other important prizes with horses such as Joint Sovereignty (1989 Paddy Power Gold Cup), Moody Man (1990 Imperial Cup and County Hurdle), Dreams End (1994 Swinton Hurdle), Dr Leunt (1999 Racing Post Chase), What's Up Boys (2001 Hennessy Gold Cup, 2nd 2002 Grand National), Flagship Uberalles (2001 Tingle Creek Chase and 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase), Gunther McBride (2002 Racing Post Chase), Rooster Booster (2003 Champion Hurdle), One Knight (2003 Royal & Sun Alliance Chase), Monkerhostin (2004 Coral Cup, 2004 Boylesports.com Gold Cup, 2008 bet365 Gold Cup), Detroit City (2006 JCB Triumph Hurdle, 2006 John Smith's Anniversary 4YO Hurdle, 2006 Boylesports.com International), Menorah (2010 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Dream Alliance (2009 Welsh National) and Captain Chris (2011 Arkle Trophy). His success is even more apparent in numerical terms. He reached a century for the first time in the 1999/2000 campaign, eventually finishing with 118 wins. His highest number of wins came in 2002/03 with 134. He has trained 16 winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Hobbs made four appearances in the Grand National as a professional jockey in the 1980s and, although one of the best horses he rode was West Tip, he didn't get the leg up on him in the National, with those four rides resulting in two falls, one ninth place and an 11th. That last performance was in 1986 on Northern Bay in the final weeks of his 160-win career as a jockey, when his much more successful training career was already under way. Hobbs has subsequently saddled two horses to be placed in the John Smith's Grand National - Samlee (3rd) in 1998 andWhat'sUpBoys(2nd)in2002.JohnSmith'sGrandNationalrecord:1990GallicPrince(13th);JointSovereignty(Fell19th);1995 Gold Cap (13th); 1998 Samlee (3rd); Greenhill Tare Away (UR 27th); 1999 Samlee (10th); Bells Life (PU bef 26th); Mudahim (UR 6th); 2000 Village King (Fell 20th); Stormy Passage (Fell 22nd); 2001 Village King (Fell 8th); 2002 What's Up Boys (2nd); 2004 What's Up Boys (BD 6th); 2005 Double Honour (UR 21st); 2007 Zabenz (PU bef 7th), Monkerhostin (Ref 7th); 2009 Zabenz (Fell 16th), Parsons Legacy (Fell 22nd); 2010 Dream Alliance (PU bef 24th); 2011 Quinz (PU 16th)

Richard Johnson

Born July 21, 1977, Richard Johnson attended Belmont Abbey school, the alma mater of Peter Scudamore, before leaving at 16 to take a job with then champion trainer David Nicholson. He was born and raised at Madley, Herefordshire, where his parents have a farm. Johnson comes from racing stock as his mother Sue holds a licence to train, while his father Keith, who won the 1982 Midlands Grand National on Bridge Ash, and his grandfather Ivor were both good amateur riders. Johnson is unlucky to be riding in the same era as Tony McCoy as he has finished runner-up to his rival in the jockeys' championship on 11 occasions and appears destined to fill the same position this term. He is one of a few jockeys to make the front page of The Sun (March 2003) when his then girlfriend Zara Phillips kissed him after his Champion Hurdle victory on Rooster Booster and also appeared in the pages of Hello magazine (December 2001) alongside Phillips. His first winner came at Exeter aboard Rusty Bridge on April 30,1994, and he has gone on to capture some of racing's biggest prizes, notably the 2000 Gold Cup at Cheltenham aboard Looks Like Trouble and the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase on Flagship Uberalles, as well as Rooster Booster's famous triumph in the Champion Hurdle. Other top-flight winners he has partnered include Florida Pearl, Anzum, Mighty Man, Detroit City, Planet Of Sound, Menorah and Landing Light. He has a good record at Aintree and won the Topham Trophy over the Grand National course in 2001 on Gower Slave. His best finish in the John Smith's Grand National came when What's Up Boys finished second in 2002. The grey looked the winner at the elbow but, like many before him, Johnson's mount was headed in the last 75 yards by Bindaree. In 2007 he married Fiona Chance, daughter of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Noel Chance. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1997 Celtic Abbey (UR 15th), 1998 Banjo (Fell 1st), 1999 Baronet (Fell 4th), 2000 Star Traveller (Pulled up bef 27th); 2001 Edmond (Fell 15th); 2002 What's Up Boys (2nd); 2003 Behrajan (10th); 2004 What's Up Boys (BD 6th); 2005 Jakari (PU bef 20th); 2006 Therealbandit (PU bef 27th); 2007 Monkerhostin (Refused 7th); 2008 Turko (Fell 25th); 2009 Parson’s Legacy (Fell 22nd); 2010 Tricky Trickster (9th); 2011 Quinz (PU 16th)

POSTMASTER (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Dansili - Post Modern (USA) (Nureyev (USA))

10-10-02 Jump Form: 2U0/43211412222/22211PU33P2/1P4402P32FP-26611 Owner: The Bill & Ben Partnership

Trainer: Tim Vaughan Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Jockey: Dougie Costello

Postmaster

When Postmaster was foaled at Prince Khalid Abdulla’s Juddmonte Farms on January 28, 2002, the ambition was to run him in Epsom’s Investec Derby - it would not have been the John Smith’s Grand National. His sire, Dansili, was a top-class racehorse, while his dam, Post Modern (Nureyev), was a full sister to Oaks winners Reams Of Verse. Sent into training with Barry Hills, Postmaster was unraced at two and made an inauspicious start to his racing career at Leicester in May 2005, when ridden by the trainer’s son Richard he finished fifth of 14 in a maiden. His next public appearance came at Tattersalls’ July Sale in Newmarket where he was bought by trainer Roger Ingram for 8,000gns. Postmaster ran in 21 Flat races for Ingram without winning, but at Wolverhampton in February, 2007, he broke his duck and followed up the following month at Lingfield. He subsequently ran another 36 times without winning for Ingram - often in all-weather races, but on four occasions over hurdles - before being sold on again to South Wales-based Evan Williams. Placed at Plumpton and Fontwell on his first two starts for his new handler and owner Richard Williams, Postmaster broke his duck over hurdles at Fontwell in October, 2008, and scored again the following month at Fakenham. He subsequently became a very consistent horse, who in 28 outings for Williams won six and was placed in 13 races. During this sequence, in December 2009, he became the property of the Bill & Ben Partnership, comprising George Amos and Paul Ragan. In January last year Amos and Ragan felt Postmaster could do with a change of scenery and sent him just a few miles up the road to Tim Vaughan, for whom he has run nine times, winning his two most recent outings, a handicap chase at Bangor in August followed by a Ludlow hunter chase in February this year. With 97 racecourse appearances (56 on the Flat and 41 over jumps) Postmaster is the most experienced horse in this year’s John Smith’s Grand National, although at 10 he is certainly not the oldest. Race record: Starts 41; 1st: 8; 2nd: 13; 3rd: 4; Win & Place Prize Money: £66,628

The Bill & Ben Partnership

Named after the legendary BBC television children’s programme dating back to the 1950s, The Bill & Ben Partnership is George Amos and Paul Ragan, Englishmen who live in South Wales. Ragan established his own insurance business which he sold several years ago - although he continues to foster other business interests - while Amos is head of an office supplies company that has six depots and is called SET Supplies. The initials stand for ‘Satisfaction Every Time’, although Amos excuses that by saying: "It was set up a long time ago." Ragan’s other interests include ice hockey - he owns the Cardiff Devils, one of Britain’s leading teams - while his wife Dionne is keen on horses and is involved in the showing world. Amos and Ragan are long-time friends who have enjoyed many a trip to the races and the golf course. The first horse they owned, Postmaster, will also be their debut runner in the John Smith’s Grand National. He was bought from trainer Evan Williams in December, 2008, "for a very small sum" and continued racing from that yard for a further two years, although the owners then felt a change of scene was needed and switched him to the nearby stables of Tim Vaughan. Other horses that have run in the partnership’s colours include Little Weed - who proved "useless" in three runs for Bryn Palling - plus Rev It Up and Daddyow, who are in training with Vaughan. Amos says of his interest in racing: "It probably began when Red Rum beat Crisp [in 1973] in that famous National. Red Rum was an amazing horse who made the Grand National."

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Tim Vaughan

Born on August 25, 1979, Tim Vaughan is one the brightest young training talents in Jump racing. The son of a car repair specialist and hobby farmer, Vaughan has ridden since the age of two, riding for his local pony club which included being a proud member of the Prince Phillip Cup Team, where he competed for Wales at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley. He later show jumped and finished fourth in the Junior Foxhunters Final at the Horse of the Year Show and he also represented Wales’s Under 21 team at Muirmill, Scotland. At 16, He began his race riding career in point-to-points. Some of the highlights during his race riding career were being crowned Welsh men’s point-to-point champion rider in 2004 and 2007, as well as riding in the Christy Foxhunters race at Aintree over the Grand National fences and riding his 100 winners in point to points. Vaughan studied for a property management & valuation degree at Glamorgan University prior to becoming a qualified chartered surveyor. He then spent the next four years working for Knight Frank, prior to setting up a commercial department at regional estate agents, chartered surveyors and property auctioneers, Herbert R Thomas. His first runner as a permit trainer was Lonesome Man in a Handicap Chase at Aintree in June, 2005, who won by 22 lengths. He took out a full licence in 2006. Tim’s wife Abbi is his assistant and a successful point-to-point trainer in her own right. Two of his biggest victories to date have come at Aintree, with Saint Are capturing the Grade One John Smith’s Novices’ Hurdle in 2011 and Stewarts House landing the Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the National fences in December, 2011.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Dougie Costello

Born in Galway on March 4, 1983, Dougie Costello began his career with Mary Reveley before moving on to join Martin Todhunter in 2004 and then John Quinn. His first victory came on York Rite at Bangor on August 1, 2003. His biggest successes have come for Quinn, with Countrywide Flame capturing this season’s JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Recession Proof taking the 2011 totesport Trophy at Newbury. Costello has also enjoyed significant success at Aintree, winning the 2010 John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on Wayward Prince and the 2010 Old Roan Chase on course specialist Monet’s Garden.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides

QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) FACTFILE

b g Antarctique (IRE) - Blanche Fontaine (FR) (Oakland (FR )) 8-10-04 Form: 1/31110/1160/2F-4010 Owner: J P McManus

Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Jockey: David Casey Breeder: G Mesnil & Mme Louise Mesnil

Quiscover Fontaine

Quiscover Fontaine made the perfect start to his career when landing the valuable Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the 2008 Punchestown Festival. Sent novice hurdling the following season, he won three times over two miles. After winning his first two starts over fences in early 2010, he contested the Grade One Arkle Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and ran a fair race to finish sixth behind Sizing Europe, plugging on in the closing stages. He failed to build on that promising effort on his next three outings but appeared to appreciate a step up in trip when fourth to fellow John Smith’s Grand National contender Organisedconfusion in the 2011 Irish Grand National. On his three most recent outings, he has run over hurdles, winning at Leopardstown over Christmas and finishing down the field when last seen out in the valuable boylepsports.com Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 28.

Race Record: Starts: 16; Wins: 7; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £100,913

J P McManus

Few people have enjoyed a closer association with jump racing in the last 30 years than John Patrick ’J P’ McManus, who was born on a farm in Co Limerick on March 10, 1951 and attended the Christian Brothers school on Sexton Street, Limerick. He left his father’s plant hire business at the age of 20 to become a racecourse bookmaker, but then took the less well-trodden route of gamekeeper-turned-poacher when becoming a professional punter. McManus recalls one of his first bets as being on Merryman II in the 1960 Grand National when he was just nine, but the bet that changed his life was £4 on Linden Tree in a Newmarket maiden in 1970, the horse winning at 100/8. He had another £4 on when Linden Tree won the Observer Gold Cup at 25/1, and £5 each-way at 33/1 for the Derby, when the horse beat all bar Mill Reef. The amount he wagered grew rapidly and he is still one of the highest-staking punters on the racecourse. Dubbed “the Sundance Kid” by journalist Hugh McIlvanney after a number of major gambles in the ring during the 1970s, he is also the biggest jump owner in terms of numbers in Britain, Ireland and France (some 300 horses spread over 50 trainers ran for him last season) after he purchased his first racehorse, Cill Dara, at the age of 26. He has a host of business interests including dealing on the financial markets from his Geneva base and part- ownership of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where he also has a house. With John Magnier, he bought a 28.7% stake in Manchester United through the Cubic Expression company before subsequently selling out to US tycoon Malcolm Glazer in 2005. He was in the news shortly after that because of his stake in the pub and restaurant operator Mitchells and Butler. In 2011, the Sunday Times estimated McManus’ wealth at £481 million, making him the 12th richest person in Ireland. Since Mister Donovan landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1982, he has enjoyed 36 other Cheltenham Festival successes, headed by the great three-time Champion Hurdle hero Istabraq and the brilliant Baracouda, who landed the 2002 and 2003 renewals of what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. In 2010, he won a fourth Champion Hurdle with Binocular. This year was a memorable Cheltenham Festival for the owner, whose five victories at The Festival included Synchronised, victorious in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. McManus does a lot of work for charity and his Pro-Am golf tournament, which takes place every five years, has raised over 95 million euros. McManus is also a keen backgammon player and a big hurling fan. He owns Jackdaws Castle, the Gloucestershire yard that Jonjo O’Neill trains from, and has invested heavily in improving facilities since purchasing the property in 2001. He was British champion owner for the 2005/6, 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons. A full 28 years after his runner in the race, McManus finally achieved a long-held ambition when Don’t Push It won the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. He often has multiple entries in the race; five runners in 2004, six in 2005, four in 2006, two in 2007, four in 2008, four in 2009, four in 2010 and five in 2011. Last year Don’t Push It went close to recording back- to-back victories, finishing third, and prior to his success in 2010, Clan Royal went close when second in 2004, he was then carried out when in the lead at Becher’s second time around in 2005 and was third in 2006, while King Johns Castle filled the runner-up spot in the 2008 contest. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Deep Gale (Fell 1st), 1988 Bucko (PU bef 27th), 1992 Laura's Beau (3rd), 1994 Laura’s Beau (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Wylde Hide (UR 22nd); 1998 Gimme Five (5th), 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 27th); 2003 Youlneverwalkalone (PU bef 13th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Spot Thedifference (5th), Risk Accessor (UR 6th), Le Coudray (Fell 22nd); 2005 Innox (7th), Spot Thedifference (18th), Shamawan (21st), Clan Royal (CO 22nd), Le Coudray (PU before 21st), Risk Accessor (UR 2nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th), Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (UR 23rd); 2007 L’Ami (10th), Clan Royal (11th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd), L’Ami (Fell 2nd), Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), L’Ami (PU bef 30th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th), King Johns Castle (refused to race); 2011 Don’t Push It (3rd), Blue Sea Cracker (14th), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Willie Mullins IRE (Bagenalstown, County Carlow)

Born on September 15, 1956, Willie Mullins was six-times amateur champion rider in Ireland and his major successes in the saddle included the 1983 John Smith’s Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on Atha Cliath when the also-rans were partnered by the likes of Robert Waley-Cohen and Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury, before taking out a training licence in 1988 and is now the country’s pre-eminent jump handler. As a jockey in the John Smith’s Grand National, his rides included The Ladys Master, who ran out in 1983, and Hazy Dawn, who fell at the sixth the following year. He hails from one of Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of the late Paddy Mullins, the outstanding all-round trainer whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Cheltenham Festival race in which he has enjoyed seven winners (also Florida Pearl 1997, Alexander Banquet 1998, Joe Cullen 2000, Missed That 2005, Cousin Vinny 2008 and Champagne Fever 2012). Mullins’ best chaser to date has been Florida Pearl, who was placed in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the 1998 RSA Chase, the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups in Ireland as well as the 2001 King George VI Chase and the 2002 Betfred Bowl at Aintree. In 2011, he trained the brilliant Hurricane Fly to win the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, having won the Irish equivalent in January. He has saddled 24 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, more than any other current Irish handler. Mullins has approaching 200 horses at his Closutton yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and his first John Smith’s Grand National runner as a trainer, Micko's Dream, fell at the first in 2000. The loquacious Mullins, a former chairman of the Irish Trainers' Federation, also suffered heartache in 2004 when Hedgehunter departed at the final fence in the John Smith’s Grand National when looking assured of a place. He overcame bad luck in the John Smith’s Grand National the following year when Hedgehunter came home 14 lengths clear of Royal Auclair. Hedgehunter was then second in 2006, ninth in 2007 and 13th on his final start in 2008 when stable companion Snowy Morning came third. He has been champion Irish jump trainer for the past four seasons and is on course for a fifth title in 2011/2012. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Micko's Dream (Fell 1st); 2002 Alexander Banquet (UR 6th); 2004 Alexander Banquet (Fell 18th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th), Homer Wells (PU bef 22nd), Bothar Na (PU bef 29th), Livingstonebramble (UR 6th); 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd), Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 Snowy Morning (9th), Irish Invader (11th); 2010 Snowy Morning (6th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th); The Midnight Club (6th), Dooney’s Gate (Fell 6th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

David Casey

David Casey was born on March 19, 1976, and graduated from RACE, Ireland's apprentice school. He had spells with Tony Redmond and Michael Hourigan before joining Willie Mullins, who provided him with his first winner at Tramore in January, 1995. The following year he won the Galway Hurdle for Mullins on Mystical City. In the 1999/2000 season, he took over from Jamie Osborne as stable jockey to Lambourn trainer Oliver Sherwood, but the pair parted company in December, 2000, after Casey, who lived in Tony McCoy's house, was said to be repeatedly late for work. He turned freelance and returned to Ireland. He tasted Aintree triumph in 2000 when he won the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase aboard Cenkos. Other big race wins include the 2001 Powers Gold Cup and Charlie Hall Chase on Sackville, the Irish Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup in 2006 Missed That and in 2010 on An Cathaoir Mor as well as the 2001 James Nicholson Chase and Ericsson Chase on Foxchapel King. His biggest win during 2011 came in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup, when partnered the Willie Mullins-trained Kempes to victory. He has had two Cheltenham Festival successes on Fadoudal Du Cochet in the 2002 Grand Annual Chase and Rule Supreme in the 2004 RSA Chase. He was still leading the field on Hedgehunter when the pair departed company at the final fence in 2004 but missed the winning ride a year later due to injury. He also came close to glory in 2008, when coming third on Snowy Morning. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1997 New Co (15th); 2000 Lucky Town (8th); 2001 Strong Tel (Fell 6th); 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 4 out); 2003 Cregg House (Ref 4 out); 2004 Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2006 Jack High (UR 15th); 2007 Bothar Na (PU bef 29th); 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd); 2009 Offshore Account (15th); 2010 Snowy Morning (6th); 2011 Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

RARE BOB (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Bob Back - Cut Ahead (Kalaglow)

10-10-09 Form: 3/204333330/1d431414/15333P/0301PU/345053 Owner: D A Syndicate

Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Jockey: Bryan Cooper Breeder: Don Hadden

Rare Bob

His family has already experienced success at the Grand National meeting; his high-class half-brother Tiutchev scored the last of his 12 victories in the Martell Cognac Cup (now the Betfred Bowl) in 2004. Tiutchev, by Soviet Star, was bred for and started his career on the Flat before graduating to jumps, but Rare Bob, by top jump sire Bob Back, always had a jumping career planned. When he was sold at auction as a foal i37,000 foal in 2001, Tiutchev had already win an Arkle Trophy and an Ascot Chase; by the time he made i125,000 as three-year-old, his older brother had added another Grade 1 and had been placed in both the King George VI Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It took him 14 runs to get off the mark, a sequence of losses that included five thirds in a row and a disqualification for a wayward course after beating Trafford Lad a short-head in a novice chase at Punchestown in October 2008. His first victory came at the Co Kildare track three months later, when he beat last year’s John Smith’s Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, and he returned there in triumph again at the April Festival to account for Gone To Lunch and Joncol in the Grade One Champion Novices Chase. His sole success in 17 runs since came at Leopardstown in January last year. He has paid two previous visits to Aintree, third in the John Smith’s Handicap Chase two years ago and in contention when unseating in the same three mile, one furlong contest last year. His latest run in a light campaign this season was a third place in the Leinster National at Naas in March.

Race Record: Starts: 35; Wins: 4; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 13; Win & Place Prize Money: £187,365

The D A Syndicate

‘D A’ stands for ‘Dessie’s Army’, a fond tribute to trainer Dessie Hughes who trains for the seven-strong group of friends who make up the syndicate. They come from Counties Carlow, Wickford and Kildare and have business interests in printing, packaging, building development and estate agency among others - the group includes Lar Byrne, who owned the dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace. The D A Syndicate was formed when a number of Hughes’s owners went to India to see the trainer’s son Richard ride in the 2000 Indian Derby. Hughes won the race on Smart Chieftain, and buoyed by the victory the group pledged to get involved in ownership as a syndicate. The plan to buy Rare Bob, their best horse to date and their first John Smith’s Grand National runner, was hatched at Royal Ascot at York in 2005. A few weeks later at Tattersalls’ Fairyhouse Sale he was bought for i125,000 as an unraced three-year-old, but he has since won about i200,000. One D A member, Tony Campbell, said: "We’ve had about 20 winners with different horses and we’ve been to the National five or six times, but we’ve never had a horse good enough for the National. It is fantastic to have a runner."

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Dessie Hughes IRE (Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland)

A highly successful jockey, Dessie Hughes (born October 10, 1943) partnered Davy Lad to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup and returned to Prestbury Park three years later to ride Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. He had four rides in the Grand National, including Davy Lad, but never managed to complete the course. Having always had one eye on the future, Dessie prepared his yard for three years before finally taking out a training licence in 1980 and the winners soon started flowing, including a first Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer when Miller Hall took the 1982 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His yard was struck down by a persistent fungal problem in the late 1980s which resulted in Hughes enduring several years of poor form, but the trainer began churning out the winners again in the late 1990s, with horses such as Guest Performance, Rathbawn Prince and Grade One winner Colonel Braxton being standard bearers. But it would be Hardy Eustace who would provide Hughes with some of his finest hours as a trainer. Owned by long-standing patron Lar Byrne, the Archway gelding won the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival before returning a year later take the Champion Hurdle under a superbly judged ride from Conor O’Dwyer. Hardy Eustace went on to victory at the Punchestown Festival and returned to Prestbury Park the following year for another victory in the Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House was another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown. Schindlers Hunt emerged as another star, winning two Grade One events as a novice chaser and finishing the head runner-up in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree in 2009.This season Hughes has unleashed another exciting novice hurdler in the shape of Lyreen Legend, an impressive winner of a Grade Two novice hurdle at Thurles in February. He also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner on nine consecutive racing days during the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey in Britain. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd), Vic Venturi (UR 20th); 2011 In Compliance 13th; Vic Venturi (BD 2nd)

Bryan Cooper

Ireland’s leading conditional rider, 19-year-old Bryan Cooper, will be having his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National this year aboard the Dessie Hughes-trained Rare Bob. Cooper, who was born on August 8, 1992, is the son of County Kerry handler Tom Cooper and has been around horses all his life. He showjumped as a child, riding at the Royal Dublin Show and began pony racing at the age of 14, when his contemporaries included Paul Townend and Danny Mullins, and rode 55 winners in an 18-month period. After leaving school at the age of 15, he was too light - weighing seven and a half stone - to be a National Hunt jockey and he joined Kevin Prendergast’s Flat stable, having his first ride within a week of his 16th birthday. He had his first success on Rossdara, trained by his father in a Clonmel maiden hurdle on October 29, 2009, and has spent the past two years with Dessie Hughes. He has enjoyed an excellent season, with one of the highlights coming when the Tony Martin-trained Benefficient sprang a 50/1 surprise in the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides

SEABASS (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Turtle Island (IRE) - Muscovy Duck (IRE) (Moscow Society (USA))

9-10-11 Form: 00/40/523F11/1111 Owner: Gunners Syndicate Trainer: Ted Walsh IRE Jockey: Ms Katie Walsh Breeder: John Costigan

Seabass

Fish-loving part-owner Pat Glynn bought Seabass as a foal after seeing an advert in the Irish Field. He spent four years looking after the son of Turtle Island before sending him to Ted Walsh. After taking a close second on his debut in a point-to-point at Belharbour in February, 2007, Seabass recorded an emphatic victory at Horse & Jockey, Co Tipperary, the following month. He faded to ninth on his debut under Rules eight days later in a Gowran Park bumper and finished 13th on his hurdling bow at the Punchestown Festival in April, 2007. Seabass suffered a setback shortly after that effort and he returned to action 18 months later, when he was pitched against seasoned opposition for his chase debut in the Grade Three Poplar Square Chase at Naas in October, 2008, in which he finished fourth. He made just one more appearance in the 2008/2009, tailing off in a beginners’ chase at Naas and returned to the same course to take fifth in a novices’ handicap chase in December, 2009. Seabass was placed in handicap chases at Clonmel and Thurles on his next two starts and would have broken his duck over fences in another handicap chase at Navan in January, 2010, only to fall at the final fence when leading the field. He made amends at Punchestown four days later, gamely beating Stewarts House in a handicap chase, and followed up with another gritty success in a novices’ handicap chase at Fairyhouse in February, 2010. A further lengthy spell on the sidelines followed but Seabass made a winning return to action with a comfortable victory in a point-to-point at Ballinaboola on November 20, 2011. He continued his winning run with a pair of handicap chase wins at Punchestown on December 11 and at Limerick on December 27, before an impressive all-the-way success in a valuable handicap chase at Leopardstown on January 28. Seabass stretched his winning sequence to seven (six under Rules) with a game length verdict over Zaarito in the Grade Two Paddypower.com Chase at Naas on February 26, a victory that sees him 3lb “well in” for the John Smith’s Grand National, according to British Horseracing Authority head of handicapping Phil Smith.

Race Record: Starts: 14; Wins: 6; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £117,423

Gunners Syndicate

The Gunners Syndicate consists of six men - Pat Glynn, Pat Gleeson, Robbie Byrne, brothers Donal and Niall Collins plus John Harte. Arsenal-mad Glynn leads the syndicate, having purchased Seabass as a foal after seeing an advert in the Irish Field newspaper and looked after the horse until he was sent to Ted Walsh as a four-year-old on the recommendation of Ted’s son Ruby. Glynn was helped in raising Seabass by Gerry Kyne from Kiltrogue Stud, the father of the apprentice jockey Jamie Kyne, who was killed in a fire in Norton, North Yorkshire, in September, 2009. Glynn, who hails from Dunmore, County Galway, is a builder who used to play Gaelic football for the local Dunmore MacHales and the Connemara Gaels in the USA. His wife Sinead is a singer who has appeared on a talent competition for Country & Western singers on Irish TV station TG4. Pat Gleeson also comes from Dunmore and he is a director of local company Wheely Environmental Refuse Services. Robbie Byrne, the only member of the syndicate who does not support Arsenal, runs a pub in Dunmore which is the venue for the syndicate's meetings, while John Harte is a butcher. Despite the fact that the majority of the syndicate support Arsenal, Seabass runs in the maroon and white colours of local football team Galway United.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Ted Walsh IRE (Kill, County Kildare)

Born on April 14, 1950, at Fermoy in Co Cork and now based at Greenhills near Naas in Co Kildare, Ted Walsh is a racehorse trainer, journalist and broadcaster with RTE and Channel 4. His father, Ruby, had a public house and kept a livery stable in Fermoy. In 1954 the Walsh family relocated to the United States, but came back to Ireland less than two years later and Ruby rented a yard at Chapelizod, Co Dublin. The Walshes later moved to a farm in Kill, Co Kildare, which Ted has now extended to 60 acres. Walsh was Irish champion amateur jockey on 11 occasions, and rode four Cheltenham Festival winners, including the 1979 Queen Mother Champion Chase on Hilly Way. Commanche Court, who Walsh selected, purchased and trained for owner Dermot Desmond, won the 1997 Triumph Hurdle and completed an amazing double in 2000 when winning the Irish National at Fairyhouse 16 days after Papillon landed the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree. Both horses were partnered by Walsh’s son Ruby, while another of his children Katie is also a successful jockey with two Cheltenham Festival wins to her name. Walsh’s other daughter Jennifer is agent to Ruby, while his other son Ted Jnr married leading jockey Nina Carberry on February 7, 2012. Ted Walsh's other training successes include the Bet365 Gold Cup with Jack High in 2005, while Rince Ri won a number of good races for the stable including the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham in 2002.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 1992 Roc De Prince (17th); 2000 PAPILLON (WON), 2001 Papillon (4th), 2006 Jack High (UR 15th), Rince Ri (Ref 27th), 2007 Jack High (Fell 6th); 2009 Southern Vic (8th)

Ms Katie Walsh

Born on December 18, 1984, Katie Walsh comes from a family steeped in racing heritage as her father is the trainer, broadcaster and former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh while her brother is Ruby Walsh, the most successful jockey ever at the Cheltenham Festival who has twice ridden the winner of the John Smith’s Grand National. Katie led up the 2000 winner Papillon, who was trained by her father and ridden by Ruby. Along with her sister-in-law, Nina Carberry (who is married to her brother Ted Jnr), she is one of the best ever female jockeys. The amateur’s first victory came on Hannon, trained by her father, in a Flat race at Gowran Park on October 10, 2003. From an early stage in her career, she forged a successful relationship with champion Irish jump trainer Willie Mullins and her first big victory came on the Mullins-trained Glencove Marina in the 2006 Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival. During the early part of her career, Walsh enjoyed significant success on the Flat, winning the Ladies’ Derby at the Curragh on Cloneden in 2005 and partnering her father’s Collingwood to two victories on the beach at Laytown in 2006 and 2007. Never Compromise gave Walsh back-to-back victories in the Risk Of Thunder Chase over the banks course at Punchestown in 2006 and 2007. The 2010 Cheltenham Festival saw Walsh partner two winners, taking the National Hunt Chase on the Ferdy Murphy-trained Poker De Sivola and the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle on Thousand Stars for Willie Mullins. Thousand Stars also provided Walsh with victory in the Grade One John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle in 2011. She came in for the ride on Seabass following her brother’s decision to partner On His Own. Walsh lives with her long-term boyfriend Ross O’Sullivan, a point-to-point trainer. Dick and Lewis Rees, successful in 1921 and 1922, were the last siblings to both ride Grand National winners.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides

SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Anshan - Tia Maria (IIRE) (Supreme Leader)

8-10-12 Form: 0252/311000-1122 Owner: Liam Breslin

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Breeder: Godfrey Moylan Jockey: Barry Geraghty Shakalakaboomboom

Shakalakaboomboom was purchased by Mr & Mrs A Crow on behalf of Netherset Stud at the 2004 Tattersalls Ireland November sales for 10,000 euros, before being sold onto to Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Liam Breslin at the 2008 DBS May Sale for £20,000. He was sent into training with Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson, but didn’t make the most encouraging start to his racing career when 12th of 14 at Uttoxeter in June, 2009. However, he improved for that experience and put in a far more promising effort at Taunton in December, going down by two and a half lengths. He made his debut over hurdles at Ffos Las in February, 2009, finishing fifth behind Universal Soldier, before going to Hereford in late March and finishing second despite being the well backed favourite. He started his chasing career the following season at Warwick in November over two miles where he was beaten just over five lengths into third. However he relished the step up to two and a half miles on his next start in a handicap chase at Kempton in November winning comfortably, before following up at Taunton after a short break over three miles on January 10. He was subsequently sent off favourite for a two and a half mile novices’ handicap at Cheltenham on January 28, but was never it contention and finished seventh of the eight runners. Another poor effort at the Cheltenham Festival followed, but he ran a nice race to finish sixth in the John Smith’s Topham Chase at Aintree before winning at the Punchestown Festival in May over three miles. He returned this season at Cheltenham on December 9, and made the best possible return with a comfortable victory in the Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Chase over three miles and a furlong. He completed his preparation for the Aintree showpiece with a fine second in the Sky Bet Chase in late January prior to a pipe opener over hurdles at Warwick on March 11, when he also finished second. Race Record: Starts: 14; Wins: 4; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £78,622

Liam Breslin

Shakalakaboomboom's owner lives next to Punchestown racecourse in County Kildare and commutes to London, where he works in the property business. He had a share with a few friends in Boomshakalaka when trainer Nicky Henderson told him that the horse's three-parts brother was selling at Doncaster sales in May, 2008. "I said to bid for him if he didn't make too much and Minty (bloodstock agent David Minton) got him for £20,000," recalls Breslin, who says that Aintree has been on the agenda since last year. "It's been very much an upward curve with him and we've found out since he won Punchestown last year that he was such a good stayer. We really started thinking about Aintree after he won the same race at Cheltenham in December that Mon Mome had landed the season he won the National. We missed the Cheltenham Festival and kept him fresh for Saturday." Shakalakaboomboom is the best performer that Breslin has owned and he also has horses with Conor Dore in Britain and a number of jumpers in Ireland with the likes of Arthur Moore, Bill Harney and Tom Cooper. No previous John Smith's Grand National runners.

Nicky Henderson (Lambourn, Berkshire)

Nicky Henderson has remained at the top of his profession after almost 34 years with a training licence and is currently laying down his strongest challenge for the trainers’ championship in a bid to end the six-season dominance of Paul Nicholls. Henderson was born in Lambeth, London, on December 10, 1950, and his late father Johnny founded Racecourse Holdings Trust, the Jockey Club subsidiary (and forerunner of Jockey Club Racecourses), which saved Cheltenham Racecourse and now has 14 courses under its umbrella. He was educated at Eton and the Royal Agricultural College and spent time working for city stockbrokers Cazenove in London and Australia, where he gained experience riding work at Randwick, before devoting himself full-time to racing. Henderson first made his name in Britain as an amateur rider, finishing runner-up three times in the non-professional championship. His main wins came on Happy Warrior in the 1977 Fox Hunters Chase at Aintree and on Acquaint in Sandown’s Imperial Cup in the same year. His 50th win as an amateur was Strange Love at Folkestone on October 3, 1977, and his final ride was aboard the victorious Rolls Rambler in the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford in June, 1978, his 78th success. He had become assistant trainer to Fred Winter in 1974 and received his own training licence in July, 1978, taking over from Roger Charlton at Windsor House Stables in Lambourn. He soon established himself as one of the leading members of his profession and landed the jump trainers’ title in both 1985/6 and 1986/7. In 1992, Henderson moved his string to Seven Barrows stables, just to the north of Lambourn, in a straight swap with fellow trainer Peter Walwyn. That same year saw him added to the royal trainers’ list with the Queen Mother sending him three horses, including New Zealand Grand National winner Nearco Bay. The Queen is still among his owners. Henderson is the most successful trainer ever at the Cheltenham Festival with 46 successes, passing Fulke Walwyn’s 40 this year. He sent out a record seven winners at The Festival in 2012 and also took the Thomas Pink leading trainer award at The Festival last in 2010 with three victories and was the most successful or joint most successful trainer also in 2000 (4); 1993 (2); 1992 (2); 1990 (2); 1987 (2); 1986 (3) and 1985 (3). Alongside Peter Easterby, he is jointly the most successful trainer in the history of the Stan James Champion Hurdle with five wins (See You Then 1985, 1986 & 1987, Punjabi 2009 and Binocular 2010). Henderson’s major winners at the Cheltenham Festival include Remittance Man (1992) and Fininan’s Rainbow (2012) in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase as well as Rustle (1989) and Bacchanal (2000) in what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Long Run gave him a first Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 2011 while he won the Ryanair Chase with Fondmort (2006) and Riverside Theatre (2012). Soldatino’s victory in the 2010 JCB Triumph Hurdle was Henderson’s fifth in the race after First Bout (1985), Alone Success (1987), Katarino (1999) and Zaynar (2009). There have been many other major Jump race successes and he has also done well on the Flat, with victories in the Betfred Cesarewitch (2003 Landing Light, 2008 Caracciola), Queen Alexandra Stakes (2009 Caracciola) and Ascot Stakes (2011 Veiled) at Royal Ascot, plus the Goodwood Stakes (2010 Ghimaar). Mick Fitzgerald was his long-time stable jockey until retirement in 2008, when Barry Geraghty took over. Geraghty splits his time between Britain and his home in Ireland, and has continued in as successful a vein as his predecessor. Henderson had his best ever total of 153 winners in the 2010/11 campaign, which saw Long Run develop into Britain’s best chaser, and accrued just over £2.2 million in prize money, another personal best, as he finished runner-up in the trainers’ championship (decided on prize money) for a third successive season. He celebrated his 2,000th Jump winner when Punchestowns triumphed in a graduation chase at Kempton on February 11, 2011. This season has already yielded Grade One success courtesy of Binocular in the William Hill Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, while Riverside Theatre landed a repeat victory in the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase in February on his seasonal reappearance. Grandouet collected the Grade Two StanJames.com International at Cheltenham in December, while on the same card Quantitativeeasing took the Grade Three Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup. Finian’s Rainbow, runner-up in last year’s Racing Post Arkle Trophy Chase, landed the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park, while the latest superstar on the block is Sprinter Sacre, who is still a novice but is unbeaten over fences, including a facile victory in the Racing Post Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. John Smith's Grand National Record: 1979 Zongalero (2nd);1980 Zongalero (Refused 20th); 1981 Zongalero (Fell 22nd); 1982 Sun Lion (Fell 3rd); 1983 Spartan Missile (Unseated 22nd); 1984 Spartan Missile (16th); 1985 Classified (5th); 1986 Classified (3rd), The Tsarevich (7th); 1987 The Tsarevich (2nd), Classified (UR 25th); 1988 The Tsarevich (7th); 1990 Brown Windsor (4th), 1991 Ten Of Spades (14th), 1991 Master Bob (PU bef 19th); 1992 Brown Windsor (Fell 6th); 1994 Henry Mann (Fell 1st); 1995 Tinryland (Fell 1st); 1998 Pashto (Fell 1st); 1999 Fiddling The Facts (Fell 22nd); 2000 Esprit De Cotte (Fell 22nd); 2001 Esprit De Cotte (UR 11th), 2002 Marlborough (Fell 1st), Goguenard (Fell 1st), 2003 Katarino (UR 15th); 2005 Fondmort (PU 28th); 2006 Juveigneur (Fell 1st), Iris Royal (PU bef 17th), 2007 Liberthine (5th); 2009 Golden Flight (Fell 1st); Fleet Street (UR 18th)

Barry Geraghty

Barry Geraghty (born September 16, 1979) is one of six children from a "horse-mad" family that hails from Drumree in Co Meath. His father ‘Tucker' was a useful amateur and trains a few horses in addition to his riding school and livery yard while his now US-based brother Ross, who won the 2002 Irish National on The Bunny Boiler, and sister Jill, an amateur, are both jockeys. Like so many Irish jockeys, Geraghty has a background in pony racing, riding his last winner in that sphere in September, 1996, before becoming apprenticed to Noel Meade that month and having his first ride in October, 1996. He rode his first winner aboard Stagalier at Down Royal on January 29, 1997. It was for trainer Jessica Harrington that he first sprang to prominence, partnering her 1998 Midlands National winner Miss Orchestra. Geraghty will forever be associated with the great Moscow Flyer who provided him with his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the 2002 Arkle Chase and went on to add the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2003 and 2005, as well as a host of other championship races including the Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree in 2004 and 2005. He crowned the 2002/03 season with victory in the John Smith's Grand National aboard Monty's Pass, something which contributed to him being voted RTE Sports Personality of the year by Irish television viewers. He captured the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Tom Taaffe-trained Kicking King the day after Moscow Flyer's emotional second Queen Mother Champion Chase triumph. In total, he has enjoyed 25 victories at the Cheltenham Festival. Geraghty teamed up with Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson at the start of the 2008/09 season, splitting his time between Ireland and Britain. Geraghty’s association with Henderson has already yielded a Champion Hurdle victory in 2009 with Punjabi and he was top jockey at The Festival in 2012 with five success including the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Finian’s Rainbow. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Call It A Day (6th); 2001 Hanakham (Fell 2nd); 2002 Alexander Banquet (Unseated 6th); 2003 MONTY'S PASS (WON); 2004 Monty's Pass (4th); 2005 Monty's Pass (16th); 2006 Puntal (6th); 2007 Slim Pickings (3rd); 2008 Slim Pickings (4th); 2009 Golden Flight (Fell 1st); 2010 Big Fella Thanks (4th); 2011 Or Noir De Somoza (Fell 6th)

STATE OF PLAY (GB) FACTFILE

b g Hernando (FR) - Kaprice (GER) (Windwurf (GER))

12-10-03 Form: 01/5042/411151/164/2560/144/P3/4- Owner: William & Angela Rucker

Trainer: Evan Williams Breeder: Roland Lerner Jockey: Noel Fehily State Of Play

Previously owned by Carolyn Waters, State Of Play had eight starts for trainer Paul Webber, winning a Ludlow bumper and a Hereford novice hurdle before being sold for 18,000 guineas at Doncaster Sales in August, 2005. He made an impressive winning debut for his new trainer Evan Williams that October when taking a novice chase at Chepstow and followed up with a comfortable success in a similar contest at Plumpton six weeks later. He was then pitched into Grade One company for the Feltham Novices’ Chase but struggled against some top-quality opposition and was tailed off. Given a break, State Of Play returned to action in a handicap chase at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting over the Mildmay fences, where he made a mockery of his official mark of 128 and was eased down to record a stunning 16-length victory. He surpassed that success on his next appearance, in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in November, 2006, keeping on well to beat Juveigneur by four lengths. Williams kept his star chaser fresh for an ambitious tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and State Of Play ran a sound race to finish sixth, just over 11 lengths behind the victorious Kauto Star, before a tepid end to his season with fourth behind Exotic Dancer in the Grade Two Betfair Bowl at Aintree on the Mildmay course. State Of Play showed his preference for running fresh with a good second to Ollie Magern on his seasonal debut in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, 2007, but the rest of that season proved a disappointment, with fifth to Denman in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting followed by sixth in the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January. A confidence-restoring return to handicap company also failed at Aintree in April as State Of Play could only beat one horse home. After a five-month break, he began the 2008/09 campaign with his first victory since his Hennessy triumph as he got the better of Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November. He returned to the Yorkshire course to contest the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase on December 26, when he came home fourth behind Nozic, Tidal Bay and Cloudy Lane. Rested until the John Smith’s Grand National in April, he ran a solid race to take fourth behind Mon Mome. He made just one appearance before returning to Aintree in April, 2010, pulling up behind Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November. The plan to keep him fresh paid dividends as State Of Play improved on his previous John Smith’s Grand National effort to take third behind Don’t Push It. State Of Play didn’t have a run last season until the John Smith’s Grand National and for the third year in succession he made the frame, running on strongly from the rear to take fourth. Trainer Evan Williams said he needs to train him like this because he is hard to keep sound and this year he will run in the Aintree showpiece for the fourth time. Since his first attempt in the John Smith’s Grand National in 2009, he has only visited the racecourse on three occasions. Race Record: Starts: 25; Wins: 7; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £426,366

William and Angela Rucker

William Rucker, born on June 18, 1963, is chief executive of Lazard’s London operations. The bank dates back to 1848 and is one of the world's pre-eminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operating from 40 cities across 24 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. William joined Lazard in 1987, having previously qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He is also chairman of Quintain Estates and Development plc and Crest Nicholson Holdings Ltd, as well as being a non-executive director of Rentokil Initial. His wife Angela is from a legendary point-to-point family, being the grand-daughter of Major Harold Rushton, who rode 86 winners, and the daughter of Pat Tollitt, who rode 171 winners between the flags and was champion lady rider on six occasions. Angela herself is also a talented rider and trains pointers. The Ruckers are based at Himbleton in Worcestershire and also have horses with a variety of point-to-point trainers, including Sheila Crow, who trained their Cappa Bleu to win the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. Horses that progress to run under Rules are sent to Evan Williams, who has been well supported by Angela’s family since he began training. Major winners for owner and trainer include State Of Play, who won the 2006 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November 2008, while becoming a John Smith’s Grand National star by finishing fourth to Mon Mome in the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National, third behind Don’t Push It in the 2010 and fourth behind Ballabriggs in the 2011 renewal. .High Chimes landed the Fulke W alwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for them at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

Evan Williams (Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan)

Unrelated to the winning jockey of the 1937 Grand National who bears the same name and also hails from the Cowbridge area, Evan Williams was born on April 3, 1971, on his family’s farm in the village of Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan. He used to get up at dawn to milk the cows before going to school. He took over the running of the farm full-time when he was 17, concentrating firstly on dairy farming and then beef when the price of milk dropped. He also started training a few point-to-pointers in 1997 but the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 decimated his herd and restrictions on the movement of livestock wiped out the point-to-point season. Williams sold his cattle at a loss after the outbreak and went to Ireland to buy 18 horses with the proceeds, going on to be champion point-to-point trainer and jockey in 2002. He took out his full training licence the following year and rode his first winner, Cherry Gold, in a hunters’ chase at Chepstow on April 22, 2003. Williams enjoyed his first big-race success at the same course in December of that year, when saddling Sunray to win the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at odds of 40/1. The winners continued to flow and Williams shot to national prominence with State Of Play, who followed up success in a handicap chase at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting in April, 2006, with victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury seven months later. The chaser has since gone on to triumph in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, while other big race success has arrived courtesy of High Chimes, who gave Williams a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the 2008 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, and Grade Two scorers Deep Purple and Simarian. In the 2009/10 season, Barizan emerged as a top-class juvenile hurdler, winning a Grade One at Punchestown after finishing second in both the JCB Triumph Hurdle and in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at Aintree. Williams is assisted by top amateur James Tudor, who was champion point-to-point rider in 2007 and partnered High Chimes to his Cheltenham success. He is married to Cath who continued to train point-to-pointers after he took out his professional licence, saddling over 50 winners in two seasons including the prolific Cannon Bridge, who chalked up nine wins in a single campaign. They have three children William, Isabel and Ellie. Evan is the son of former amateur jockey Rhys Williams. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th); 2010 State Of Play (3rd); 2011 State Of Play (4th)

Noel Fehily

Born December 24, 1974 in County Cork, Ireland, Noel Fehily enjoyed the biggest success of his career so far when winning this season’s Stan James Champion Hurdle on the Paul Nicholls-trained Rock On Ruby. After gaining experience on the point-to-point circuit and in hunter chases in his home country, he began riding in Britain as an amateur and gained his first success on Ivy Boy at Plumpton on November 16, 1998. He rode 12 winners in that first campaign and turned professional after two successes in 1999/2000, which he ended with a score of 17. Dogged with injury throughout his career, Fehily has also enjoyed Grade One success on Air Force One at Punchestown in the 2008 Champion Novice Chase, on Master Minded in the 2010 Tingle Creek Chase and aboard For Non Stop in this season’s Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park. Fehily rides primarily for Emma Lavelle, Charlie Mann and Warren Greatrex. John Smith's Grand National Record: 2001 Moral Support (Ref 8th); 2002 Celibate (6th); 2003 Good Shuil (PU bef 19th); 2004 Alcapone (PU bef 25th); 2005 Merchants Friend (Fell10th); 2006 Risk Accessor (5th); 2007 Naunton Brook (PU Bef 23rd), 2008 Bob Hall (PU Bef 19th)

SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Old Vic - Sizzle (High Line)

9-10-05 Form: 14/311101/415312/03F-30P01 Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Breeders J P N Parker Jockey: Richie McLernon Sunnyhillboy

Sunnyhillboy was purchased at the 2003 Tattersalls Ireland November sale for 10,000 euros by Timmy Hyde on behalf of leading owner J P McManus. He was sent into training with Jonjo O’Neill in Britain and made a winning debut in a bumper at Huntingdon in November, 2007, prior to finishing fourth on his hurdling debut at Doncaster in January, 2008. He was put away for the season and returned at Bangor in September 2008, putting in a promising display to only be beaten half a length in a two mile, one furlong novices’ hurdle. Sunnyhillboy got off the mark in a handicap hurdle at Exeter the following month before two further victories on his next two outings at Cheltenham in November and Sandown in a Listed handicap hurdle. After three relatively quick runs, he was given a short break, returning for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he was well fancied, but unfortunately he failed to produce his best form and finished 25th of the 27 runners. However, he bounced back from that poor showing in the two and a half mile Listed Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting, taking a competitive field apart to win by four lengths. He embarked on a chasing career in the 2009/10 season making his debut at Exeter on November 3, but despite strong market support he could only finish fourth. With that run behind him he got up late to win a two-mile novices’ chase at Lingfield three weeks later, but disappointed on his next two starts at Newbury in December and January where the heavy ground didn’t appear to suit. A return to better ground coupled with the fact it was his handicap chase debut at Ludlow saw him beat his 11 rivals snugly by half a length, before running a brilliant race at the Cheltenham Festival to finish second in the Byrne Group Plate. On the back of that effort, he was well fancied to go one place better in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, 2010, but lack of race fitness told and he could only finish seventh. As in previous seasons that first run seemed to bring him on and he ran an improved race in the December Gold Cup back at Cheltenham where he was only beaten seven lengths in third by the classy Poquelin. Once again he was given a break and returned in March at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was sent off the 9/2 favourite for the JLT Specialty Chase, but a crashing fall at the seventh fence left favourite backers wondering what might have been. He then stepped up markedly in trip to contest the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday and like at Cheltenham he was the well-backed favourite but, after being settled towards the rear, he could never fully get into contention and stayed on strongly for third. The Old Vic gelding returned this season over hurdles at Haydock on November 19, but could never get into the race and ran on into seventh past beaten horses. He returned to fences in the December Gold Cup over two miles and five furlongs, but he was bitterly disappointing, being pulled up before two out. He ran in a Pertemps Handicap Hurdle in desperate ground at Haydock on February 19 and despite the going ran a satisfactory race to finish in the midfield. However, three miles, one and a half furlongs over fences on better ground in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at The Festival resulted in a much improved performance and the nine-year-old put himself in the Aintree picture with an impressive victory from fellow John Smith’s Grand National contender Becauseicouldntsee.

Race Record: Starts: 22; Wins: 8; 2 nd: 1; 3rd: 4; Win & Place Prize Money: £176,651

J P McManus

Few people have enjoyed a closer association with jump racing in the last 30 years than John Patrick ’J P’ McManus, who was born on a farm in Co Limerick on March 10, 1951 and attended the Christian Brothers school on Sexton Street, Limerick. He left his father’s plant hire business at the age of 20 to become a racecourse bookmaker, but then took the less well-trodden route of gamekeeper-turned-poacher when becoming a professional punter. McManus recalls one of his first bets as being on Merryman II in the 1960 Grand National when he was just nine, but the bet that changed his life was £4 on Linden Tree in a Newmarket maiden in 1970, the horse winning at 100/8. He had another £4 on when Linden Tree won the Observer Gold Cup at 25/1, and £5 each-way at 33/1 for the Derby, when the horse beat all bar Mill Reef. The amount he wagered grew rapidly and he is still one of the highest-staking punters on the racecourse. Dubbed “the Sundance Kid” by journalist Hugh McIlvanney after a number of major gambles in the ring during the 1970s, he is also the biggest jump owner in terms of numbers in Britain, Ireland and France (some 300 horses spread over 50 trainers ran for him last season) after he purchased his first racehorse, Cill Dara, at the age of 26. He has a host of business interests including dealing on the financial markets from his Geneva base and part-ownership of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where he also has a house. With John Magnier, he bought a 28.7% stake in Manchester United through the Cubic Expression company before subsequently selling out to US tycoon Malcolm Glazer in 2005. He was in the news shortly after that because of his stake in the pub and restaurant operator Mitchells and Butler. In 2011, the Sunday Times estimated McManus’ wealth at £481 million, making him the 12th richest person in Ireland. Since Mister Donovan landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1982, he has enjoyed 36 other Cheltenham Festival successes, headed by the great three-time Champion Hurdle hero Istabraq and the brilliant Baracouda, who landed the 2002 and 2003 renewals of what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. In 2010, he won a fourth Champion Hurdle with Binocular. This year was a memorable Cheltenham Festival for the owner, whose five victories at The Festival included Synchronised, victorious in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. McManus does a lot of work for charity and his Pro-Am golf tournament, which takes place every five years, has raised over 95 million euros. McManus is also a keen backgammon player and a big hurling fan. He owns Jackdaws Castle, the Gloucestershire yard that Jonjo O’Neill trains from, and has invested heavily in improving facilities since purchasing the property in 2001. He was British champion owner for the 2005/6, 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons. A full 28 years after his runner in the race, McManus finally achieved a long-held ambition when Don’t Push It won the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. He often has multiple entries in the race; five runners in 2004, six in 2005, four in 2006, two in 2007, four in 2008, four in 2009, four in 2010 and five in 2011. Last year Don’t Push It went close to recording back-to-back victories, finishing third, and prior to his success in 2010, Clan Royal went close when second in 2004, he was then carried out when in the lead at Becher’s second time around in 2005 and was third in 2006, while King Johns Castle filled the runner-up spot in the 2008 contest. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Deep Gale (Fell 1st), 1988 Bucko (PU bef 27th), 1992 Laura's Beau (3rd), 1994 Laura’s Beau (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Wylde Hide (UR 22nd); 1998 Gimme Five (5th), 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 27th); 2003 Youlneverwalkalone (PU bef 13th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Spot Thedifference (5th), Risk Accessor (UR 6th), Le Coudray (Fell 22nd); 2005 Innox (7th), Spot Thedifference (18th), Shamawan (21st), Clan Royal (CO 22nd), Le Coudray (PU before 21st), Risk Accessor (UR 2nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th), Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (UR 23rd); 2007 L’Ami (10th), Clan Royal (11th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd), L’Ami (Fell 2nd), Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), L’Ami (PU bef 30th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th), King Johns Castle (refused to race); 2011 Don’t Push It (3rd), Blue Sea Cracker (14th), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Jonjo O’Neill (Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire)

Jonjo O’Neill (born April 13, 1952) was a highly successful jump jockey and has established himself at the top of the training ranks. In spite of an appalling list of injuries, he was champion jockey twice (1977/78 and 1979/80), and he set a then record for a season of 149 winners in his first championship year. The most sensational moment of his riding career came when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Dawn Run in 1986 as the mare became the only horse to win that trophy after having previously taken the Champion Hurdle (1984), again with O’Neill in the saddle. He also won the Gold Cup on Alverton in 1979, though he had a dreadful record in the Grand National, in which he never completed the course in spite of having eight rides. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1985/86 season and, having survived lymphatic cancer not long after that, started training near Penrith, Cumbria, in 1987. He forged a reputation with horses such as Vicario Di Bray, winner of the 1989 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, and Legal Right, who landed the Grade Three Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1999 and went on to capture the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot as well as the Grade Two Tommy Whittle Chase. He moved to his present base at Jackdaws Castle in Gloucestershire, not far from Cheltenham, when the yard was bought by owner J P McManus in 2001. In 2010, he finally broke his Grand National duck when saddling Don’t Push It to victory for McManus, who had been trying to win the race since 1982. Don’t Push It came third last year and is now retired. A P (Tony) McCoy rode the gelding, gaining a first success at the 15th attempt. O’Neill’s other victories at the Aintree Festival as a trainer include Quazar in the John Smith’s Anniversary 4YO Novices’ Hurdle in 2002, Clan Royal in the 2003 John Smith’s Topham Chase, Iris’s Gift (2003) and Black Jack Ketchum (2006) in the Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, Iris’s Gift in the 2004 John Smith’s Liverpool Long Distance Hurdle, Exotic Dancer (2007) in the Betfred Bowl and Albertas Run(2010) in the Melling Chase. His 18 Cheltenham Festival victories include five wins in the National Hunt Chase, the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Spectroscope, the 2004 Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Iris’s Gift and the three victories of Albertas Run in the RSA Chase (2007) and the Ryanair Chase (2010 & 2011). This season Synchronised, a Coral Welsh National winner, has improved further, capturing the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2003 Carbury Cross (7th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Joss Naylor (PU bef 19th); 2005 Simply Gifted (3rd), Shamawan (21st), Native Emperor (UR 9th), Clan Royal (CO bef 22nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th); 2007 Clan Royal (11th); 2008 Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8t h); 2011 Don't Push It (3rd), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can't Buy Time (Fell 18th)

Richie McLernon

Cork-born Richie McLernon (born October 22, 1986) grew up surrounded by horses, riding ponies and hunting. His parents, Philip and Betty, were both successful amateur riders while his uncle, Tommy Carmody, was a leading professional jockey, riding the 1986 Champion Chase winner Buck House and finishing second (1984) and fourth (1985) in the Grand National on Greasepaint. Another uncle, Bill McLernon, is one of Ireland’s winning-most amateur riders. After graduating from the Christian Brothers college in Cork in 2005, McLernon joined leading Irish point-to-point trainer Eugene O’Sullivan, striking up a great acquaintance with Arctic Times, whom he partnered to eight victories. He made the move to become a conditional jockey at Jonjo O’Neill’s stable in 2007 and rode five winners in his first season. His biggest wins have come aboard Can’t Buy Time in the 2009 totesport.com Masters Handicap Chase and Silmi in the Listed Prelude Handicap Chase at Market Rasen in September, 2010. This season he rode his first winner at the Cheltenham Festival on Alfie Sherrin in the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2010 Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8th); 2011 Can Buy Time (Fell 18th)

SWING BILL (FR) FACTFILE

gr g Grey Risk (FR) - Melodie Royale (FR) (Garde Royale))

11-10-03 Form: F2101/434320/14425251305-02313P20 Owner: David Johnson

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Breeder: Maurice Veron

Swing Bill

Swing Bill started his racing career on the Flat with Gerard Le Paysan in France, but failed to win in five starts between October 2004 and January 2005. After a short absence he made his hurdling debut at Auteuil in November 2005, but fell, before lining up at Pau three weeks later and finishing a promising second. He made no mistake next time out at Pau on January 3, 2006, winning easily by 10 lengths, but disappointed back at in February Auteuil finishing tenth in a two mile, two furlong handicap hurdle. After winning at Auteuil in March he was purchased privately by leading owner David Johnson and was sent to multiple Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Henrietta Knight. He made his chasing debut at Ascot in November 2006 over two miles and a furlong and he wasn’t disgraced, finishing four and a half lengths behind the winner in fourth. He was turned out again three weeks later at Plumpton, but despite being the well backed 13/8f he could only finish well beaten in third and after two similar showings at Kempton and Ludlow in January 2007, connections opted for a return to hurdles. The switch back to hurdles appeared to suit and he finished second behind Fleet Street in a handicap at Newbury in March, but he disappointed connections again with a dismal effort at Sandown over two and a half miles in April. Unfortunately he was absent from a racecourse until July 2010, during which time he joined David Pipe and he made a winning start for the yard at Newton Abbot, where he won a beginners chase by 25 lengths. He ran a nice race next time back over the same course and distance in August, finishing fourth in the Listed Lord Mildmay Memorial Chase, before a another solid effort in good handicap company at Market Rasen in September. The grey gelding ran another good race at Cheltenham in November over three miles, but disappointed at Exeter prior to another good effort at Cheltenham in November, going down narrowly by a length to Rustarix. After a short break he ran at Newbury in late December, where he ran a respectable race to finish fifth behind Misstree Dancer. After a two-month break he returned with an easy victory at Wincanton over two and a half miles in February 2011, prior to a fast-finishing third at Newbury in the Greatwood Gold Cup. This was the beginning of a busy spring campaign and he didn’t let connections down, finishing seventh in the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase at The Cheltenham Festival, fifth in the John Smith’s Topham Chase at Aintree over the Grand National fences, and eighth in the Mick The Tent Memorial Novice Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival. He rounded off his season with a second at Worcester before turning out ten days later to finish third at Stratford. Swing Bill returned this season with a comfortable success at Cheltenham in a three mile handicap chase on November 11, before a game effort in defeat at Ascot a week later behind the rapidly improving Prophet De Guye. After a lack lustre display in the Becher Chase at Aintree on very heavy ground in early December he has disappointed on two subsequent starts at Ffos Las on December 26 and at the Cheltenham Festival in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase, where he could finish only 17th.

Race Record: Starts 35; Wins: 5; 2nd: 7; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £88,919

David Johnson

David Johnson is a self-made businessman. A docker’s son, born in 1944, from the East End of London, he began working at the Midland Bank in East Ham for £9 a week aged 16 and soon set up in the moneylending/mortgage business. He co-founded J & J Securities in 1977 and was managing director for 21 years. He led the management buyout in 1998 of mortgage lender Ocwen, which was renamed I group. The company employed 1,000 people and was sold for £216 million in 2001. He is now CEO of Commercial First, which he set up in the autumn of 2002 and is based in Brentwood, Essex. A trip to Newmarket races in the mid 1980s resulted in an introduction to trainer Robert Williams and the purchase of a share in the two-year-old Mister Majestic, who went on to win the 1986 Group One Middle Park Stakes. Despite his colours being the reverse of the late Robert Sangster’s, he concentrates on jumpers and had his first victory over hurdles when Beebob scored at Chepstow in November, 1992, the start of a highly successful partnership with 15-time champion National Hunt trainer Martin Pipe (now retired). His horses were generally bought in France, including Arkle Chase winners Or Royal (1997) and Champleve (1998) and Cyfor Malta, winner of the Topham Chase as well as the Paddy Power Gold Cup (twice) and Argento Chase at Cheltenham. In later years he has acquired horses from Ireland including a large team from Tom Costello, such as the chasers Our Vic, Therealbandit and Celestial Gold, winner of the 2004 Paddy Power and Hennessy Gold Cups. Johnson finished the 1997/8 campaign as the leading owner over jumps, took the title again in 2001/2, 2002/3, 2003/4 and in 2004/5. Comply Or Die’s victory in the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National helped Johnson secure a sixth leading owner title, with over £1.4 million in prize money for that season. Johnson is a keen punter, admitting he frequently bets in five figures, and has enjoyed 13 successes at the Cheltenham Festival. He lives in Hornchurch, Essex, with wife Shirley and has two children - Stephen and Lisa. John Smith’s Grand National Record (since 1980): 1998 Challenger Du Luc (Fell 1st); 1999 Eudipe (Fell 22nd), Tamarindo (Fell 6th); 2002 Iris Bleu (Fell 5th); 2003 Iris Bleu (PU bef 16th); 2004 Lord Atterbury (3rd), Jurancon II (Fell 4th), Montreal (Fell 6th); 2005 It Takes Time (4th), Lord Atterbury (Fell 1st); 2006 Therealbandit (PU Bef 27th), It Takes Time (PU Bef 29th); 2007 Celtic Son (PU bef 22nd); 2008 COMPLY OR DIE (WON), Vodka Bleu (PU bef 19th); 2009 Comply Or Die (2nd); 2010 Comply Or Die (12th), The Package (UR 19th); 2011 Comply Or Die (PU bef 29)

David Pipe (Nicholashayne, Somerset)

Born on February 7, 1973, David Pipe is the son of 15-time champion jump trainer Martin Pipe. He started out riding in point-to-points in 1992, going on to record 22 wins in his career over the next five seasons, plus two under Rules, which included victory aboard Bonanza Boy in the Ludlow Gold Cup. After finishing as a rider, he had spells with Michael Dickinson in the US, Criquette Head-Maarek in France and Joey Ramsden in South Africa, before setting up as a point-to-point trainer, handling the likes of Horus, Lord Atterbury and Celestial Gold, who went on to have successful careers under Rules when transferred to his father’s yard. Based at Purchas Farm, a mile away from his father’s Pond House, he sent out 164 point-to-point winners over six seasons, with Well Armed successful 15 times. He took over the reins at Pond House in Somerset following the retirement of his father on the last day of the 2005/6 jump season - Saturday, April 29. Pipe Jnr made the best possible start to his training career under Rules when getting on the scoresheet with his first runner, Standin Obligation, in a three mile and one furlong novice chase at Kelso on May 9, 2006. Our Vic landed the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, 2006, on his seasonal return to provide him with his first big success. In his initial season, David sent out 134 winners, with star filly Gaspara providing a memorable double in the Imperial Cup at Sandown and the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival three days later. Those achievements were surpassed in the 2007/2008 season with Comply Or Die's John Smith's Grand National victory augmented by the fantastic triumphs of stable stalwart Our Vic in Aintree's Grade Two totesport Bowl, in which he defeated the mighty Kauto Star, and in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. David has gone on to consolidate his position as one of the country's leading trainers and enjoyed eight victories at the Cheltenham Festival, including one this year, as well as tasting big-race glory with the likes of stable stalwarts Lough Derg, successful in the BGC Long Walk Hurdle, and Madison Du Berlais, who triumphed in the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2008. His best horse currently is the exciting novice chaser Grands Crus, who captured the Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park in December. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Puntal (8th), Celtic Son (PU bef 22nd); 2008 COMPLY OR DIE (WON), Madison Du Berlais (Fell 8th), Vodka Bleu (PU bef 19th), Joaaci (Fell 20th); 2009 Comply Or Die (2nd), Arteea (10th); 2010 Comply Or Die (12th), Piraya (13th), Pablo Du Charmil (Fell 2nd), Madison Du Berlais (Fell 19th), The Package (UR 19th); 2011 Piraya (19th), Or Noir De Somoza (Fell 6th), Comply Or Die (PU bef 29th)

Conor O’Farrell

Born on July 27, 1989, Conor O’Farrell is having his first John Smith’s Grand National ride on Swing Bill. He is the son of Kilmoganny-based trainer Seamus O’Farrell and younger brother of Irish amateur J P O’Farrell. Conor did not sit on a horse until he was 15. He attended the Racing Academy & Centre of Excellence after a spell riding out for Joe Crowley and worked for Paddy Prendergast after graduating. He worked for Shark Hanlon before being appointed conditional jockey for David Pipe in October, 2010. His first winner came on Miss Latina, Gowran Park, July 8, 2007 while his first British winner was A Little Different, who scored at Perth on September 24, 2009. O’Farrell enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival on Buena Vista in the 2011 Pertemps Final, while other big race victories have come in the Midlands Grand National (2011 Minella Four Star) and the Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle (2011 Dynaste).

No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides

SYNCHRONISED (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Sadler’s Wells (USA) - Mayasta (IRE) (Bob Back (USA)) 9-11-10 Form: 21/011F/1131/5613-P0311 Owner: J P McManus

Jockey: A P McCoy Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Breeder: Noreen McManus

Synchronised

Synchronised is bidding to become only the second horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith’s Grand National in the same season following Golden Miller, who completed the Cheltenham-Aintree double in 1934. Bred by owner J P McManus’ wife Noreen, Synchronised is by Sadler’s Wells out of the Bob Back mare Mayasta, a multiple scorer on the Flat and over hurdles and the first winner that A P McCoy rode for his now-retained owner in April, 1996. He made his career debut for trainer Jonjo O’Neill at Chepstow on February 14, 2008, finishing second in a maiden hurdle, and followed up with a soft ground victory in a similar contest at Towcester a month later. The gelding raced four times during the 2008/2009 season, winning twice: after defeating Cashel Blue at Wincanton in January, 2009, he emphasised his potential with a neck verdict over Tazbar in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Haydock in February, 2009. Synchronised switched to steeplechasing for the 2009/10 campaign and won his first two starts over fences, defeating Blue Gun on soft ground at Market Rasen in November and then seeing off Giles Cross in a portentous heavy ground stamina test at Chepstow that December. After suffering a reversal at Fontwell in January, 2010, Synchronised bounced back to land a gruelling renewal of the Listed John Smith’s Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March of the same year. He reverted to hurdles for his first two outings of the 2010/2011 season as he warmed up for the Coral Welsh National in January, 2011, when he stayed on strongly for a two and three quarter-length verdict over Giles Cross. Synchronised headed back to Uttoxeter for another crack at the John Smith’s Midlands Grand National in March, 2011, and he ran well in defeat to come home third under top-weight, but he ended his campaign with a disappointing effort the following month as he was pulled up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. He started the current season with two appearances over hurdles, finishing seventh in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Aintree on October 23 and staying on strongly to take third in a valuable fixed-brush handicap hurdle at Haydock on November11. Synchronised returned to fences to record a first Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, when he stayed on well for a convincing eight-and-a-half length victory over Rubi Light. He improved on that run on his latest start in the Grade One Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham on March 16 as he rallied gamely to beat The Giant Bolster by two and a quarter lengths, with defending champion Long Run a further three-quarters of a length back in third. Race Record: Starts: 19; Wins: 9; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £510,775

J P McManus

Few people have enjoyed a closer association with jump racing in the last 30 years than John Patrick ’J P’ McManus, who was born on a farm in Co Limerick on March 10, 1951 and attended the Christian Brothers school on Sexton Street, Limerick. He left his father’s plant hire business at the age of 20 to become a racecourse bookmaker, but then took the less well-trodden route of gamekeeper-turned-poacher when becoming a professional punter. McManus recalls one of his first bets as being on Merryman II in the 1960 Grand National when he was just nine, but the bet that changed his life was £4 on Linden Tree in a Newmarket maiden in 1970, the horse winning at 100/8. He had another £4 on when Linden Tree won the Observer Gold Cup at 25/1, and £5 each-way at 33/1 for the Derby, when the horse beat all bar Mill Reef. The amount he wagered grew rapidly and he is still one of the highest-staking punters on the racecourse. Dubbed “the Sundance Kid” by journalist Hugh McIlvanney after a number of major gambles in the ring during the 1970s, he is also the biggest jump owner in terms of numbers in Britain, Ireland and France (some 300 horses spread over 50 trainers ran for him last season) after he purchased his first racehorse, Cill Dara, at the age of 26. He has a host of business interests including dealing on the financial markets from his Geneva base and part-ownership of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where he also has a house. With John Magnier, he bought a 28.7% stake in Manchester United through the Cubic Expression company before subsequently selling out to US tycoon Malcolm Glazer in 2005. He was in the news shortly after that because of his stake in the pub and restaurant operator Mitchells and Butler. In 2011, the Sunday Times estimated McManus’ wealth at £481 million, making him the 12th richest person in Ireland. Since Mister Donovan landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1982, he has enjoyed 36 other Cheltenham Festival successes, headed by the great three-time Champion Hurdle hero Istabraq and the brilliant Baracouda, who landed the 2002 and 2003 renewals of what is now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. In 2010, he won a fourth Champion Hurdle with Binocular. This year was a memorable Cheltenham Festival for the owner, whose five victories at The Festival included Synchronised, victorious in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. McManus does a lot of work for charity and his Pro-Am golf tournament, which takes place every five years, has raised over 95 million euros. McManus is also a keen backgammon player and a big hurling fan. He owns Jackdaws Castle, the Gloucestershire yard that Jonjo O’Neill trains from, and has invested heavily in improving facilities since purchasing the property in 2001. He was British champion owner for the 2005/6, 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons. A full 28 years after his runner in the race, McManus finally achieved a long-held ambition when Don’t Push It won the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National. He often has multiple entries in the race; five runners in 2004, six in 2005, four in 2006, two in 2007, four in 2008, four in 2009, four in 2010 and five in 2011. Last year Don’t Push It went close to recording back-to-back victories, finishing third, and prior to his success in 2010, Clan Royal went close when second in 2004, he was then carried out when in the lead at Becher’s second time around in 2005 and was third in 2006, while King Johns Castle filled the runner-up spot in the 2008 contest. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1982 Deep Gale (Fell 1st), 1988 Bucko (PU bef 27th), 1992 Laura's Beau (3rd), 1994 Laura’s Beau (Fell 6th), 1996 Wylde Hide (UR 24th), 1997 Wylde Hide (UR 22nd); 1998 Gimme Five (5th), 2002 Spot Thedifference (UR 27th); 2003 Youlneverwalkalone (PU bef 13th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Spot Thedifference (5th), Risk Accessor (UR 6th), Le Coudray (Fell 22nd); 2005 Innox (7th), Spot Thedifference (18th), Shamawan (21st), Clan Royal (CO 22nd), Le Coudray (PU before 21st), Risk Accessor (UR 2nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th), Innox (Fell 1st), First Gold (UR 23rd); 2007 L’Ami (10th), Clan Royal (11th); 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd), L’Ami (Fell 2nd), Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), L’Ami (PU bef 30th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th), King Johns Castle (refused to race); 2011 Don’t Push It (3rd), Blue Sea Cracker (14th), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Jonjo O’Neill (Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire)

Jonjo O’Neill (born April 13, 1952) was a highly successful jump jockey and has established himself at the top of the training ranks. In spite of an appalling list of injuries, he was champion jockey twice (1977/78 and 1979/80), and he set a then record for a season of 149 winners in his first championship year. The most sensational moment of his riding career came when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Dawn Run in 1986 as the mare became the only horse to win that trophy after having previously taken the Champion Hurdle (1984), again with O’Neill in the saddle. He also won the Gold Cup on Alverton in 1979, though he had a dreadful record in the Grand National, in which he never completed the course in spite of having eight rides. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1985/86 season and, having survived lymphatic cancer not long after that, started training near Penrith, Cumbria, in 1987. He forged a reputation with horses such as Vicario Di Bray, winner of the 1989 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, and Legal Right, who landed the Grade Three Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1999 and went on to capture the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot as well as the Grade Two Tommy Whittle Chase. He moved to his present base at Jackdaws Castle in Gloucestershire, not far from Cheltenham, when the yard was bought by owner J P McManus in 2001. In 2010, he finally broke his Grand National duck when saddling Don’t Push It to victory for McManus, who had been trying to win the race since 1982. Don’t Push It came third last year and is now retired. A P (Tony) McCoy rode the gelding, gaining a first success at the 15th attempt. O’Neill’s other victories at the Aintree Festival as a trainer include Quazar in the John Smith’s Anniversary 4YO Novices’ Hurdle in 2002, Clan Royal in the 2003 John Smith’s Topham Chase, Iris’s Gift (2003) and Black Jack Ketchum (2006) in the Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, Iris’s Gift in the 2004 John Smith’s Liverpool Long Distance Hurdle, Exotic Dancer (2007) in the Betfred Bowl and Albertas Run(2010) in the Melling Chase. His 18 Cheltenham Festival victories include five wins in the National Hunt Chase, the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Spectroscope, the 2004 Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Iris’s Gift and the three victories of Albertas Run in the RSA Chase (2007) and the Ryanair Chase (2010 & 2011). This season Synchronised, a Coral Welsh National winner, has improved further, capturing the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2003 Carbury Cross (7th); 2004 Clan Royal (2nd), Joss Naylor (PU bef 19th); 2005 Simply Gifted (3rd), Shamawan (21st), Native Emperor (UR 9th), Clan Royal (CO bef 22nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd), Risk Accessor (5th); 2007 Clan Royal (11th); 2008 Bob Hall (PU bef 19th), Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th), Reveillez (BD 3rd), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 18th); 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON), Can’t Buy Time (Fell 8t h); 2011 Don't Push It (3rd), Quolibet (UR 11th), Can't Buy Time (Fell 18th)

A P (Tony) McCoy

Born in Moneyglass, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland on May 4, 1974, 16-time champion A P (Tony) McCoy is the greatest jump jockey of his era and many would argue of all time. He is the son of Peadar McCoy, who bred the 1993 County Hurdle victor Thumbs Up. McCoy started out with Billy Rock, riding out from the age of 12, before trying his luck as a Flat jockey with Jim Bolger and rode his first winner on Legal Steps at Thurles on March 26, 1992. Since growing too heavy and turning to jump racing, he has not looked back. He partnered his first British winner, Chickabiddy, at Exeter on September 7, 1994 and was champion conditional rider in Britain in 1994/5 with a then record 74 winners when attached to Toby Balding's Hampshire yard. He took his first senior title the following season with 174 wins. His domination has brought 16 consecutive jump jockey's titles and he is currently well on course for number 17 this season. McCoy broke Peter Scudamore's record of 221 wins in the 1997/8 season with 253 successes and broke his own record for the fastest 200 winners in the 1999/2000 season, ending up with 245 successes. In 2001/02 he beat by 20 the record of 269 winners in any season set by Flat jockey Sir Gordon Richards. He has passed the double century mark five times and reached the 3,000 winner mark at Plumpton in February, 2009. He had a fairytale 1997 Cheltenham Festival, recording a rare double on Make A Stand for his then boss Martin Pipe in the Champion Hurdle and Mr Mulligan in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. McCoy added a second Champion Hurdle when successful on Brave Inca in 2006 and a third in 2010 with Binocular. In total, he has partnered 27 winners at The Festival and won the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second time in 2012 on Synchronised. In April, 2004, he left Martin Pipe's stable after accepting a reportedly huge retainer from J P McManus and rides for the owner’s principal trainer in Britain, Jonjo O'Neill. He scored a long-awaited victory in the Grand National aboard Don’t Push It in 2010, his 15th ride in the race. That win helped towards him being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year that December. McCoy also rides regularly for Nicky Henderson. His wife Chanelle gave birth to their daughter Eve late in 2007. McCoy was made an MBE in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and his achievements were recognised with a reception at Stormont, the seat of government in Northern Ireland, in August, 2009. In the 2010 Birthday Honours List he was made an OBE. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1995 Chatam (Fell 12th), 1996 Deep Bramble (PU bef 2 out); 1998 Challenger Du Luc (Fell 1st); 1999 Eudipe (Fell 22nd); 2000 Dark Stranger (UR 3rd); 2001 Blowing Wind (3rd), 2002 Blowing Wind (3rd), 2003 Iris Bleu (PU bef 16th); 2004 Jurancon II (Fell 4th); 2005 Clan Royal (CO 22nd); 2006 Clan Royal (3rd); 2007 L’Ami (10th); 2008 Butler’s Cabin (Fell 22nd); 2009 Butler’s Cabin (7th): 2010 DON’T PUSH IT (WON); 2011 Don’t Push It (3rd)

TATENEN (FR) FACTFILE

b g Lost World (IRE) - Tamaziya (IRE) (Law Society (USA))

8-10-13 Jump Form: 1124/112F2/5U360UP/363100-015 Owner: The Stewart Family

Trainer: Richard Rowe Jockey: Andrew Thornton Breeder: Olivier Tricot Tatenen

Tatenen displayed limited signs of ability in three Flat appearances for his first trainer Dominique Bressou in 2007 but the Lost World gelding made a winning debut over hurdles in September of the same year, running on strongly to beat Songe by eight lengths in a Listed contest at Auteuil. He followed up with another impressive success at the same course a month later, taking the Grade Two Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy by four lengths, and was purchased by the Stewart Family shortly after that victory. Tatenen made his British debut under the care of Paul Nicholls in the Grade One Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in December, 2007, when he ran well to take second behind Franchoek. He also finished behind the Alan King-trained horse on his only other start of the season, coming home fourth in a Grade Two juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham in January, 2008. Tatenen made an exciting start to his chasing career, following up a ready success in a Listed novices’ chase at Aintree in October, 2008, with a comprehensive victory in a Grade Two novices’ chase at Cheltenham the following month. Stepped up to Grade One company for the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, Tatenen ran a superb race in defeat to go down by a short-head to Follow The Plan. He fell at the third fence in the Grade One Racing Post Arkle Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and faded in the closing stages to come home second, beaten eight lengths by Kalahari King, in the Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April, 2009. After ending a highly encouraging first season chasing with a fifth in the Grade One Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival, Tatenen failed to live up to his lofty expectations in the 2009/2010 as he produced a string of efforts littered with jumping errors. He made the frame in just one of his six starts that term, when coming home third in a four-runner graduation chase at Sandown, and ended his campaign with another below par effort as he was pulled up in the Listed John Smith’s Handicap Chase at Aintree in April, 2010. Tatenen was switched to the West Sussex stables of Richard Rowe during the summer of 2010 and he made an encouraging start for his new handler, taking third in a Kempton Park graduation chase in November of the same year. He failed to build on that effort in two subsequent starts at Ascot and Newbury but bounced back to form with an impressive 16-length victory in a valuable Ascot handicap chase in January, 2011, when he was ridden for the first time by Andrew Thornton. Jumping errors once again cost Tatenen on his next two starts - in the Grade Three Racing Plus Chase at Kempton and the Grade Three Byrne Group Plate at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival - but he was unlucky to be hampered twice on his seasonal return in the Grade Three Spinal Research the Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham on December 10. Tatenen headed back to Ascot on January 21 to post a second successive victory in the handicap chase he had captured 12 months earlier as he rallied gamely to deny I’msingingtheblues by a head. He returned to the Berkshire course once again for the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18 and ran respectably on his first appearance in Grade One company for nearly two years to finish fifth behind subsequent Ryanair Chase victor Riverside Theatre.

Jump Race Record: Starts: 25; Wins: 6; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £333,595

The Stewart Family

The Stewart Family consists of London-based husband and wife, Andy and Judy Stewart, and their two sons, Mark and Paul. Paul, broke his back in a snowboarding accident but has made tremendous progress to walk again and the family have sponsored the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival under the banner of Spinal Research. Andy Stewart, born 1951, went to Felsted School in Essex and used to bunk off to go point-to-pointing at Marks Tey. He would also hitchhike to Liverpool to attend the Grand National meeting. He began work aged 17 in the fixed- interest department of Simon & Coates, eventually becoming a senior partner at that stockbroking firm. He became chief executive of Chase Manhattan Securities when it took over Simon & Coates. He founded broker Collins Stewart in 1991 and was executive deputy chairman when it floated on the Stock Exchange in 2000 before leaving the business in 2003. His current venture, Cenkos Securities, is named after his first top-class racehorse. Cenkos won 15 races and over half a million pounds in prize money and was twice third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The Stewart Family enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival success in 2008 when Celestial Halo won the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle. Celestial Halo was beaten a neck in the 2009 Champion Hurdle but the Stewarts have enjoyed further Festival glory with outstanding staying- hurdler Big Buck’s, who became the first horse to win four renewals of the Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle in 2012. They had a famous victory over the Grand National fences in 2008 with Gwanako in the John Smith’s Topham Chase. Other good horses owned by Stewart, who was first involved with ownership in 1986 and really caught the racing bug when witnessing Desert Orchid’s emotional Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in 1989, include Tatenen, Le Duc, Le Roi Miguel and My Will. The Stewart Family has around 30 horses in training, primarily with Paul Nicholls. Le Duc and Le Roi Miguel both ran in the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National but in the colours of Simon Cowell, Philip Green and Stuart Rose, after that high- profile trio leased the horses for charity. Their well-known chaser Hoo La Baloo won the inaugural running of the John Smith’s People’s Race. Andy Stewart has also campaigned Flat horses in a five-strong partnership called the Searchers, also consisting of British Horseracing Authority chairman Paul Roy, Martin Myers, Trevor Harris and Kevan Watts, with Jeremy Noseda and enjoyed major success with Fleeting Spirit - winner of the 2009 July Cup at Newmarket. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Le Duc (UR 6th); 2008 Turko (Fell 25th), 2009 My Will (3rd); 2010 My Will (Fell 4th); 2011 Ornais (Fell 4th)

Richard Rowe (Pulborough, West Sussex)

Born in Bordon, Hampshire, on November 11, 1959, Richard Rowe was formerly a successful jockey over jumps, riding more then 550 winners until his retirement from the saddle in February, 1991, despite a career blighted by injury. The nephew of trainers Nelson and Joe Guest, Rowe spent his early life in Bury St Edmunds and gained early experience riding out for Toby Balding while he was still at school. He was briefly apprenticed to his uncle Nelson at Newmarket but went to work for Josh Gifford after his father rang the trainer to ask if he had any vacancies. Rowe stayed with Gifford, who died at the age of 70 in February, 2012, for the whole of his career as a jockey - riding his first winner, Retaliation, at Stratford on May 13, 1977 and recording the final of 554 career successes on Super Sense at Sandown on February 2, 1991. The biggest victories of his career included Shady Deal’s success in the 1982 Whitbread Gold Cup, Vodkatini’s win in the Grand Annual Chase at the 1988 Cheltenham Festival and Deep Sensation’s triumph in the 1990 Tote Gold Trophy. Rowe took out a licence to train soon after retirement from the saddle, setting up at his livery yard at Storrington in West Sussex, and celebrated a first win as a trainer on December 5, 1991, as Glebelands Girl captured a selling hurdle at Taunton. He became only the fourth person to ride and train a winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1999 as he saddled Eulogy to victory in the Sandown highlight to add to his success on board Shady Deal 17 years earlier. Other notable horses to have been trained by Rowe include I’m Supposin, who took the Kingwell Hurdle in 1998, the 2000 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle winner Hariymi and Tatenen, who has recorded a pair of valuable handicap chase success at Ascot in 2011 and 2012. Richard has been married to Yvonne since 1985 and both their sons - Richard and Luke - have ridden under Rules. Luke is currently apprenticed to trainer Elaine Burke.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1998 Yeoman Warrior (1998 PU Bef 19th); 1999 Frazer Island (Fell 22nd)

Andrew Thornton

Born October 28, 1972, in Stockton-On-Tees, Cleveland, Andrew Thornton began his riding career as an amateur for the late great County Durham trainer Arthur Stephenson and his first winner came for the handler aboard Wrekin Hill at Sedgefield on November 23, 1991. Thornton attended Barnard Castle school where he was a promising rugby player but abandoned dreams of Twickenham to pursue the amateur riders' title, which he took in the 1992/93 season with 28 wins from 146 rides. He enjoyed a phenomenal 1997/98 season, picking up a spare ride on See More Business to win the King George VI Chase when regular partner Timmy Murphy was sidelined through suspension and then landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 25/1 outsider Cool Dawn trained by Robert Alner. Based in Lambourn, Thornton is a renowned horseman, a fact highlighted by his remarkable handling of Kingscliff in the coral.co.uk Handicap Chase at Ascot in November 2003. The left rein snapped at the third fence and the gelding was lucky not to break through the running rail but an undaunted Thornton expertly guided his charge over a further 17 fences for a front-running victory that was declared the ride of the season. His big race wins include the Racing Post Chase in 2007 aboard Simon, while he has also been associated with the brilliant hurdler French Holly, The Listener, Super Tactics, Sir Rembrandt and Gingembre, on whom he won the Scottish Grand National and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. His best position in the John Smith's Grand National came when he partnered St Mellion Fairway into fourth in 1998. Thornton, who is very short-sighted, wears contact lenses when riding, earning the nickname "Lenzio."

Grand National record: 1996 Over The Stream (13th); 1997 River Mandate (PU 21st); 1998 St Mellion Fairway (4th); 1999 Nahthen Lad (11th); 2000 Stormy Passage (Fell 22nd); 2001 Lance Armstrong (PU 19th); 2002 Murt's Man (PU 17th); 2003 Gingembre (PU bef 24th); 2004 Bounce Back (Fell 6th); 2005 Foly Pleasant (Fell 20th); 2007 Simon (Fell 25th)

THARAWAAT (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Alhaarth - Sevi’s Choice (Sir Ivor)

7-10-04 Form: 211220/F32U12164/P13000 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud

Trainer: Gordon Elliott IRE Jockey: Brian O’Connell Breeder: Patrick F Kelly

Tharawaat

Bred with with Flat racing, rather than a tilt at the John Smith’s Grand National, in mind by Paddy Kelly of Ballybin Stud, Tharawaat was sold as a yearling for 100,000gns to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who stands his sire Alhaarth, a top-class juvenile, under his Shadwell banner in Ireland. Tharawaat’s dam Sevi’s Choice, by Sir Ivor, was a winner on the Flat in Germany and is from the maternal family of champion European sprinter Committed. After five unsuccessful outings on the Flat at two and three for Barry Hills, the Sheikh cut his losses and sent Tharawaat back to the Tattersalls sale ring, where this time he joined Michael O’Leary’s string for 28,000gns. He made an immediate impact in his first season over hurdles, progressing up the ladder from a maiden win to a Grade 3 victory. He was runner-up in the Grade 1 juvenile contest at Leopardstown’s Boxing Day meeting and was in front when falling at the last in the equivalent Punchestown contest the following May. He got off the mark over fences at Down Royal as a five- year-old and won once more in his novice season and again in October last year, when he took a handicap in heavy ground at Galway. His best effort in a chase probably came in defeat next time out, when he was third in a Clonmel Grade 2. His year-younger Galileo half-brother Galileo’s Choice has also made the transfer to jumping, winning at Fairyhouse in February before his seventh place, as favourite, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Race Record: Starts: 21; Wins: 5; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 2. Win & Place Prize Money: £95,749.

Gigginstown House Stud

Famous for its horses and prized Aberdeen Angus cattle, Gigginstown House Stud, near Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is the residence of Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair. O’Leary was born in Mullingar on March 20, 1961 and educated at Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare before reading business studies at Trinity College Dublin. After graduating in 1983, O’Leary began working as an accountant for SKG as well as setting up a chain of newsagents. While working at SKG, he advised Tony Ryan, head of Guinness Peat Aviation and father of O’Leary’s school friend Declan. He rose to become Ryan’s financial advisor in 1987 and was given the task of turning round his failing budget airline, Ryanair, becoming deputy chief executive in 1991 and chief executive in 1994. O’Leary modelled Ryanair on the no-frills US operator Southwest Airlines. The airline benefited from the EU’s deregulation of the air industry in 1992 and has grown to become one of Europe’s largest carriers, carrying 67 million passengers a year.He was valued at £338 million in the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List. O’Leary started off with horses on the Flat with David Wachman and Mick Halford, but he has rapidly become a jump owner with a string only rivalled by J P McManus. His team of over 100 horses is split between a wide range of trainers in Ireland and his racing enthusiasm was kick-started when one of his first horses, War Of Attrition, won the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup. His seven Cheltenham Festival winners include Weapon’s Amnesty in the 2009 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and 2010 RSA Chase, First Lieutenant in the 2011 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and the hugely-exciting Sir Des Champs in this year’s Jewson Novices’ Chase. Other high-class performers include the 2008 Irish Grand National winner Hear The Echo, Quito De La Roque, winner of last year’s John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree and Jnwine Champion Chase at Down Royal and exciting novice chaser Last Instalment. O’Leary’s brother Eddie, a famous pinhooker based at Lynn Lodge Stud in Mullingar, oversees the Gigginstown racing operation while his young horses are brought along, often in point-to-points, at Pat Doyle’s County Tipperary stables. Davy Russell is retained rider and another major part of the team at Gigginstown (pronounced Jigginstown). While he has often courted controversy with his publicity for Ryanair, O’Leary wanted his horses to run in the now famous maroon and white colours of Gigginstown House Stud because he did not want to draw attention to his runners: “I do an awful lot of stuff for Ryanair, but that is PR - you're trying to promote Ryanair and sell seats on planes. That's all part of the job. Outside of that I don't want - and don't need - profile or publicity. This was the only vehicle I had of not having my name associated with it. Obviously, after you win a Gold Cup, everyone knows that Gigginstown House Stud is mine, but for a couple of years there nobody knew who or what the hell it was."

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 Hear The Echo (Fell after 30th).

Gordon Elliott IRE (Trim, County Meath)

Born on March 2, 1978, in Summerhill, Co Meath, Gordon Elliott was a very successful point-to-point rider, who also partnered winners under Rules. He started his racing career while still at school, working at Tony Martin's stable in County Meath, Ireland. From there, he moved to Britain, joining Martin Pipe's in 2002, and during his spell in Somerset his six rides as an amateur included one winner. Elliott then returned to Ireland for another term at Martin's stables. In 2004, Barry Callaghan, head of the Dun Doire syndicate, bought Capranny Stables at Trim in County Meath. When Elliott started his training career, early in 2006, those stables became his base. Elliott’s first runner under Rules came at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival, when Brandon Mountain was pulled up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. He continued to send runners over to the UK and enjoyed almost instant success, most notably with Arresting, who notched up four victories between May and July, 2006. Elliott’s John Smith’s Grand National victory with Silver Birch in 2007 was remarkable not only because he was only 29 at the time, but also because he had yet to saddle a winner in his native country. The winners in Ireland soon followed and Elliott enjoyed big-race success with the former Epsom Derby fifth Salford City, who won the Grade Two Tipperary Hurdle in October, 2007. Elliott saddled Salford City to finish third in a Grade Two chase at Saratoga, USA, in August, 2008, and the gelding also contested the Grade One New York Turf Writers Cup Chase at the same course three weeks later. Elliott recorded an initial Grade One victory with Jessie’s Dream in the Drinmore Novice Chase in December, 2010, and celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival successes in 2011 with Chicago Grey in the National Hunt Chase and Carlito Brigante in the Coral Cup. The trainer has also enjoyed major Flat success with Dirar in the 2010 Ebor at York.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 SILVER BIRCH (WON); 2009 Silver Birch (Fell 22nd); 2010 Backstage (UR 20th); 2011 Backstage (10th)

Brian O’Connell

Born on September 16, 1986, O’Connell has followed his father Val by embarking on a career as a jockey. Val O’Connell was a useful jockey and trainer and is now chief inspector of courses for the Turf Club. After spending his school holidays with Jim Bolger and Aidan O’Brien, Brian O’Connell joined Philip Fenton after completing his studies and had a first point-to-point victory aged 16. He had a first success under Rules when Shoot The Breeze won a maiden hurdle at Down Royal on May 2, 2005. He is best known for his association with Dunguib, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and two Grade One novice hurdles. No previous John Smith’s Grand National rides.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (IRE) FACTFILE

ch g Flemensfirth (USA) - Larry’s Peach (Laurence O)

10-10-13 Form: 01113/14F3133/216-B430 Owner: Susannah Ricci

Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Breeder: Gareth Metcalfe Jockey: Paul Townend

The Midnight Club

The Midnight Club finished in the frame in each of his five runs in Irish point-to-points between March, 2007 and April, 2008, winning once, before making an inauspicious debut under Rules in May of that year for trainer Gerard Cully. After finishing 14th of 16 on that occasion, he enjoyed a summer break before joining Willie Mullins’ powerful string. The gelding made a winning debut for the yard under Patrick Mullins in a Galway bumper on October 26, 2008. Willie’s nephew Emmet Mullins took the ride to win on The Midnight Club’s first two hurdle starts at Limerick in December and Fairyhouse in January, before the pair finished a creditable third behind Weapon’s Amnesty in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2009. Victory at Punchestown closed out a successful novice season over hurdles. The Midnight Club switched to fences for the 2009/10 season but it was not until his fourth attempt that he broke his duck, winning a beginners’ chase at Clonmel in February, 2010. That victory booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2010 where he took third for the second year in a row, this time behind Copper Bleu in the Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase. He filled the same berth a month later behind Kempes in the Grade One Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. The Midnight Club was not seen again until January 28, 2011, when he ran a fine race to finish three quarters of a length second to Siegemaster in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in the colours of new owner Susannah Ricci. Following victory under Paul Townend in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 23, in which he defeated stablemate Arbor Supreme by a length, he started 15/2 favourite for the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National but after some a big early mistakes and some late interference, he could fare no better than a never nearer sixth. He has had four outings so far this season, faring best on his penultimate appearance when third over an inadequate two and half miles at Clonmel on February 2. Last time out he was a distant ninth behind Synchronised in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16.

Race Record: Starts:19; Wins: 6; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £127,451

Susannah Ricci

Susannah Ricci, 48, is the wife of American banker Rich Ricci, co-chief executive of Barclays Capital and co-chief executive of corporate & investment banking. He is a member of both the Barclays Group and Barclays Capital Executive Committees. Ricci joined Barclays in 1994 and has held several prominent positions and as chief operating officer of Barclays Global Investors, he helped turn the bank’s US-based investment management business into one of the world’s largest asset managers. After gaining his bachelors degree in finance from Creighton University, Ricci held senior positions at the Bank of Boston and the Bank of New England. Although Ricci’s basic salary is reported to be £700,000, in April, 2010, a statement to the stock exchange revealed that Ricci, a close ally of Barclays president Bob Diamond, sold 2.5 million shares in Barclays, worth almost £9 million. Previously, Ricci, also 48, was among 10 directors to have received shares worth a combined £64 million under a five-year performance pay deal. He and his wife have enjoyed notable success on the racecourse since teaming up with Irish Champion trainer Willie Mullins in 2007. Their pink colours with green spots have become a familiar sight at the major jump festivals. Pomme Tiepy gave them their first victory at Cork in December, 2007 and went on to run up a sequence of four wins, including a pair of Grade Two novice chases in early 2008. The gelding gave them their first taste of the Grand National course at Aintree when falling at the first fence in the 2010 Topham Chase. Mikael D’Haguenet rewarded the Riccis with a first Grade One triumph in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle in December, 2008, and followed up with an initial Cheltenham Festival victory in the 2009 Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle. The Riccis have twice taken the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival with Mikael D’Haguenet (2009) and Blackstairmountain (2010). A further Cheltenham Festival success came their way this season with Champagne Fever in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. The Riccis live in Borough Green, Kent. John Smith’s Grand National record: 2011 The Midnight Club (6th)

Willie Mullins IRE (Bagenalstown, County Carlow)

Born on September 15, 1956, Willie Mullins was six-times amateur champion rider in Ireland and his major successes in the saddle included the 1983 John Smith’s Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on Atha Cliath when the also-rans were partnered by the likes of Robert Waley-Cohen and Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury, before taking out a training licence in 1988 and is now the country’s pre-eminent jump handler. As a jockey in the John Smith’s Grand National, his rides included The Ladys Master, who ran out in 1983, and Hazy Dawn, who fell at the sixth the following year. He hails from one of Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of the late Paddy Mullins, the outstanding all-round trainer whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Cheltenham Festival race in which he has enjoyed seven winners (also Florida Pearl 1997, Alexander Banquet 1998, Joe Cullen 2000, Missed That 2005, Cousin Vinny 2008 and Champagne Fever 2012). Mullins’ best chaser to date has been Florida Pearl, who was placed in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the 1998 RSA Chase, the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups in Ireland as well as the 2001 King George VI Chase and the 2002 Betfred Bowl at Aintree. In 2011, he trained the brilliant Hurricane Fly to win the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, having won the Irish equivalent in January. He has saddled 24 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, more than any other current Irish handler. Mullins has approaching 200 horses at his Closutton yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and his first John Smith’s Grand National runner as a trainer, Micko's Dream, fell at the first in 2000. The loquacious Mullins, a former chairman of the Irish Trainers' Federation, also suffered heartache in 2004 when Hedgehunter departed at the final fence in the John Smith’s Grand National when looking assured of a place. He overcame bad luck in the John Smith’s Grand National the following year when Hedgehunter came home 14 lengths clear of Royal Auclair. Hedgehunter was then second in 2006, ninth in 2007 and 13th on his final start in 2008 when stable companion Snowy Morning came third. He has been champion Irish jump trainer for the past four seasons and is on course for a fifth title in 2011/2012. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Micko's Dream (Fell 1st); 2002 Alexander Banquet (UR 6th); 2004 Alexander Banquet (Fell 18th), Hedgehunter (Fell 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th), Homer Wells (PU bef 22nd), Bothar Na (PU bef 29th), Livingstonebramble (UR 6th); 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd), Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 Snowy Morning (9th), Irish Invader (11th); 2010 Snowy Morning (6th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th); The Midnight Club (6th), Dooney’s Gate (Fell 6th), Arbor Supreme (Fell 28th)

Paul Townend

Born on September 15, 1990, Paul Townend grew up surrounded by horses in County Cork and spent his youth riding on the pony racing circuit. He was also involved in show jumping, but had his heart set on a career as a jockey and joined the powerful Willie Mullins stable as a Flat apprentice after leaving school. He made his debut in a maiden at Ballinrobe on May 2, 2007, coming third on Temlett, and enjoyed his first success the following month, partnering the Seamus O’Donnell-trained The Chip Chopman to victory in an apprentice handicap at Limerick on June 22. The pair followed up four days later at Sligo and Townend further enhanced his growing reputation when partnering the well-backed Emily Blake to victory in a handicap at the Galway Festival. He finished 2007 with a winner on the final card of the year at Dundalk, giving him 10 victories for the year, and he continued to ride successfully on the level for the first half of 2008, before growing concerns over weight problems prompted Townend to switch his attention to jump racing. He enjoyed almost instant success courtesy of the John Kiely-trained Indian Pace, as the pair landed the Galway Hurdle at the end of July, but Townend endured a barren three-month period immediately afterwards. His fortunes changed after Willie Mullins’ number one jockey, Ruby Walsh, sustained a serious injury at Cheltenham in November, 2008, giving Townend a host of plum rides, including successes on Hurricane Fly in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and Mikael D'Haguenet in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan in mid-December. He was reunited with Hurricane Fly for further Grade One glory in the paddypower.com Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and was also successful at the same course in the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase on Golden Slipper at the end of January, 2008. Last season he went from strength to strength and was crowned champion jockey in Ireland with 80 wins. This season Townend has enjoyed Grade One success on Blackstairmountain and Unaccompanied.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2009 Irish Invader (11th), 2010 Arbor Supreme (UR 15th)

TREACLE (IRE) FACTFILE

ch g Zaffaran (USA) - Current Liability (Caribo)

11-10-08 Form: 02/221453/61/3F/116PP/P-51423 Owner: Bjorn Nielsen

Trainer: Tom Taaffe IRE Breeder: Mary & Brendan Fitzpatrick Jockey: Andrew Lynch

Treacle

The John Smith’s Grand National has been the aim for Treacle ever since he was purchased by Bjorn Nielsen as a three-year-old. He finished eighth on his debut for Tom Taaffe in a bumper at Gowran Park in February, 2006, and filled the runner-up spot on all three of his first starts over hurdles at Fairyhouse, Killarney and Wexford. He lost his maiden tag with an emphatic 15-length victory at Cork in December, 2006, and ran respectable races in Grade Two company on his next two appearances at Naas and Fairyhouse before ending his season with a good third in a competitive novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April, 2007. Treacle was sent chasing for the 2007/2008 campaign and he recorded a comfortable success on his second start over fences at Fairyhouse in October, 2007. A leg injury sustained during that victory forced Treacle to miss the rest of the season and the majority of the following campaign and he finished third on his return to action in a Limerick handicap chase in March, 2009. Treacle fell on his next outing in another handicap chase at Fairyhouse the following month but he made amends with a comfortable success in a Listowel handicap chase in June, 2009. He followed up that win with another victory as he gamely repelled the challenge of Dashing George to take the Munster National at Limerick in October, 2009. Raised 8lb for that win, Treacle struggled on his next four starts as he came home a well-beaten sixth after being hampered at the first fence in the Troytown Handicap Chase that November and was pulled up on his next three outings at Leopardstown, Punchestown and Cork. Treacle was given a break after taking fifth in a handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival in May, 2011, and he made a winning return at Gowran Park on October 1 as he comfortably took a three-mile handicap chase. He headed to Aintree to come home fourth in the Betfred 10 Best Odds in Shops Veterans' Handicap Chase on October 22 and ran an excellent race to go down by three-quarters of a length to Cross Appeal in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27. Treacle returns to Aintree in the back of a career-best performance, having kept on gamely to take third behind Quel Esprit and Roberto Goldback in the Grade One Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12.

Race Record: Starts: 23; Wins: 5; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £149,906

Bjorn Nielsen

Although based at Greenwich in Connecticut, USA, Bjorn Nielsen was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and grew up in Epsom, England, where he attended grammar school. He maintains strong ties with Britain and has stated he prefers the variety of racecourses in Britain compared to the USA. He, wife Debbie and their three daughters are long-standing American residents and he has been highly successful in the finance world, serving as managing director of Tudor Ventures, a private equity and venture capitalist firm. Nielsen has been a major investor at the horse sales for many years, using agents such as Jeremy Brummitt, Tom Goff and Charlie Gordon- Watson, and he was represented in the 1992 Derby by the Richard Hannon-trained Assessor, who finished ninth behind Dr Devious and went on to win the Group One Prix Royal-Oak and Group One Prix du Cadran in France. Other flagbearers include the Roger Charlton-trained Tante Rose, whom he bought for 350,000 guineas at Wafic Said’s dispersal in 2003 and won the following year’s Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock, and the 2011 Ladbrokes St Leger victor Masked Marvel, trained by John Gosden. Nielsen bought the Kingsdown training centre in Lambourn in 2009, with David Lanigan moving into the renovated stables in December, 2011. Most of his Flat string are now with Lanigan, although he still has horses with Charlton and Gosden. Long-term breeding prospect Dorcas Lane was bought for 475,000 guineas in November and is now in training with Lanigan. Nielsen has around a dozen broodmares at Lord & Lady Lloyd-Webber’s stud farms in Britain and Ireland.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Tom Taaffe IRE (Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland)

Tom Taaffe, who was born on June 15, 1963, is son of the peerless Arkle's legendary jockey Pat Taaffe, who rode two Grand National winners in Quare Times (1955) and Gay Trip (1970). Tom took a giant stride into the limelight in 2005 thanks to his impeccable handling of Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King. Taaffe spent his schoolboy summers working for Arthur Moore and forged an association with the trainer that lasted 15 years, first as an amateur rider and then as a professional jockey. He rode his first winner at Phoenix Park in 1981 and enjoyed a successful career in the saddle as a jump jockey, partnering 400 winners. He finished third in the 1988 Grand National aboard Monanore and began training from Portree Stables near Straffan in County Kildare in 1994. In 1998, he enjoyed his first Grade One triumph with Delphi Lodge in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Kicking King's Gold Cup success, combined with his earlier Stan James King George VI victory, enabled Taaffe to emulate his father, who saddled Captain Christy to victory in the same two races. Apart from Kicking King, Taaffe has also enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival with Finger Onthe Pulse in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices’ Handicap Chase and Ninetieth Minute in the Coral Cup. He has saddled three previous runners in the John Smith’s Grand National including Slim Pickings, who was beaten two lengths in total when coming home third behind Silver Birch in 2007 and finished fourth behind Comply Or Die 12 months later.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2007 Slim Pickings (3rd); 2008 Slim Pickings (4th), Tumbling Dice (UR 3rd)

Andrew Lynch

Despite enjoying a meteoric rise over the past few seasons, Andrew Lynch had to wait a long time to gain his place in the spotlight. Born on October 5, 1984, and raised in Ashbourne, Co Meath, Lynch made his debut as an amateur in a Fairyhouse bumper in April, 2006, and enjoyed a first success 13 months later when Tristernagh landed a novice hurdle at Downpatrick on May 18, 2002. But he struggled for winners over the next two years before a more productive 2004/05 campaign persuaded Lynch to turn professional at the end of July, 2005. He recorded a first Grade One success when scoring on the Jim Dreaper-trained Notre Pere in the Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December, 2007. He posted a first big-race success in Britain in March, 2006, when he partnered the Ado McGuinness-trained Victram to success in the Imperial Cup at Sandown and he was also on board Notre Pere when he triumphed in the 2008 Welsh National at Chepstow. Lynch has enjoyed a pair of wins at the Cheltenham Festival in both 2010 and 2011, including the superb victories of Sizing Europe in the Arkle Trophy Chase and the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase. Lynch is also bidding to complete a notable Derby-Grand National double, having won the amateur Derby on Tender Falcon at Epsom Downs in August, 2004.

John Smith’s Grand National record: 2011 Vic Venturi (BD 2nd)

VIC VENTURI (IRE) FACTFILE

ch g Old Vic - Carmen Lady (Torus)

12-10-00 Form: 2/131213/12625P/0205982/5424450/211501U-0044B-20 Owner: Seamus Dunne

Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Breeders: Mrs P & C Brabazon Jockey: Paddy Brennan

Vic Venturi

Vic Venturi, whose name derives from the 1964 US Open golf winner Ken Venturi, made his racing debut in a point-to-point at Tinahely on February 20, 2005. Initially in the care of trainer Philip Fenton, he made his debut under Rules a month later when runner-up in a Fairyhouse bumper. He returned to action that October at Galway for a first start over hurdles and won the two and a quarter mile contest under Barry Geraghty. That 2005/2006 campaign saw him emerge as a high-class novice. Victories in the Grade Three Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle and the Grade Two Festival Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse were backed up by placed efforts in good company, including when third to Nicanor in the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown that April. Vic Venturi returned to Galway to kick-off the 2006/2007 season and landed the spoils in the Grade Three Ballybrit Novices’ Chase over two miles and a furlong. His novice chase campaign followed a similar pattern to his season as a novice hurdler with some high-class efforts, including when runner-up to Mister Top Notch in the Grade One Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February, 2007. His form tailed off thereafter as he finished fifth in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and was pulled up at Punchestown in April. A lacklustre start to the 2007/08 season resulted in owner Seamus Dunne transferring Vic Venturi to Edward O’Grady’s stables following a fifth place finish in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse that February. There were only fleeting glimmers of his former spark until his final outing that term when runner-up to Emma Jane in the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival. Vic Venturi joined trainer Dessie Hughes ahead of the 2008/09 season but again seemed a touch below par. He failed to win during the campaign, taking his losing streak to 20 races. However, he did run a respectable race in the Irish Grand National and the last of those efforts saw him clinch the runner-up berth for the second successive year in the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase, when conceding 9lb to the talented Ambobo. That race marked the first and only time to date that Vic Venturi has worn blinkers. Cheek pieces were in place when he made his seasonal return in the Wilderness Chase at Clonmel in October, 2009, three years to the day after his previous win. Vic Venturi showed resolution as he stayed on to defeat Rathmore Castle by six lengths in the two and a half mile contest on soft ground. Carrying top-weight in the totesport.com Becher Chase over three and a quarter miles of the Grand National fences at Aintree in November, 2009, the Old Vic gelding saw off Keenan’s Future by five lengths. Vic Venturi contested the Grade Two woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle over three miles at Leopardstown the following month and finished a fair fifth to Powerstation before trailing home down the field in a handicap hurdle over the same course and distance on January 23. Vic Venturi returned to fences for the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, 2010 and won well on the soft ground, beating stablemate Black Apalachi by eight lengths. He was sent off a 25/1 chance for the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National and was still very much in contention when unseating Roger Loughran at the 20th fence. Vic Venturi started last season at the deep end as he came home a well beaten seventh in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 and he filled the same spot over the smaller obstacles in the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on January 15. He made his second successive appearance in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 23 but could not repeat the heroics of 12 months earlier and kept on at the same pace to take fourth behind The Midnight Club. He warmed up for last year’s John Smith’s Grand National in a three and a quarter mile chase at Down Royal on March 17, and once again finished fourth, this time behind Hold The Pin. In the 2011 renewal of the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, he got no further than the second fence, where he was brought down, but finished his campaign with a solid second in the Grade One Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. He started this campaign in two point-to-points in January, winning at Kilfeacle on the 15th and at Ballinaboola on the 29th. He then went to Leopardstown for the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters’ Chase on February 12 and, despite being well fancied, he could only finish 12th of the 17 runners behind Salsify. Race Record: Starts: 41; Wins: 7; 2nd: 9; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £287,529

Seamus Dunne

Based in Kilkenny, Seamus Dunne owns Kilkenny Electrical Wholesale Limited, the company he established 36 years ago. Born on May 21, 1951, Dunne is not from a racing or a horse background but recalls his childhood when he would give his father money to place a bet on the Grand National. He is an enthusiastic owner and it is his long held dream to win the great race. He has always had an interest in animals and before buying his first horse - Vic Venturi - in 2004 he invested in keeping gun dogs. He now has about 10 horses in training, split between jump racing and the Flat. Alongside Vic Venturi’s notable successes, Dunne’s black colours with yellow diamonds have been carried to big race victory by the classy five-time winning mare Shirley Casper and Roberto Goldback. The Dessie Hughes-trained Shirley Casper landed a Grade Two bumper for Dunne as well as a Grade Three hurdle. Roberto Goldback was a high- class novice hurdler, defeating no less a horse than Weapon’s Amnesty, and landed the Grade Two MCR Novice Chase at Leopardstown in January, 2010. The chaser has also been placed in three Grade Ones including at Leopardstown this season when he was second in the Irish Hennessy in February. John Smith’s Grand National record: 2010 Vic Venturi (UR 20th); 2011 Vic Venturi (BD 2nd)

Dessie Hughes IRE (Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland)

A highly successful jockey, Dessie Hughes (born October 10, 1943) partnered Davy Lad to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup and returned to Prestbury Park three years later to ride Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. He had four rides in the Grand National, including Davy Lad, but never managed to complete the course. Having always had one eye on the future, Dessie prepared his yard for three years before finally taking out a training licence in 1980 and the winners soon started flowing, including a first Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer when Miller Hall took the 1982 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His yard was struck down by a persistent fungal problem in the late 1980s which resulted in Hughes enduring several years of poor form, but the trainer began churning out the winners again in the late 1990s, with horses such as Guest Performance, Rathbawn Prince and Grade One winner Colonel Braxton being standard bearers. But it would be Hardy Eustace who would provide Hughes with some of his finest hours as a trainer. Owned by long-standing patron Lar Byrne, the Archway gelding won the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival before returning a year later take the Champion Hurdle under a superbly judged ride from Conor O’Dwyer. Hardy Eustace went on to victory at the Punchestown Festival and returned to Prestbury Park the following year for another victory in the Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House was another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown. Schindlers Hunt emerged as another star, winning two Grade One events as a novice chaser and finishing the head runner-up in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree in 2009.This season Hughes has unleashed another exciting novice hurdler in the shape of Lyreen Legend, an impressive winner of a Grade Two novice hurdle at Thurles in February. He also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner on nine consecutive racing days during the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey in Britain.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd); 2010 Black Apalachi (2nd), Vic Venturi (UR 20th); 2011 In Compliance 13th; Vic Venturi (BD 2nd).

Harry Skelton

Born on September 20, 1989, Harry Skelton is the son of legendary showjumper Nick, who almost became a jump jockey with David Nicholson before going on to represent his country in six Olympics. Not surprisingly, Harry grew up surrounded by horses and he learnt to ride on the same pony as his father, Oxo, and took part in some of the top pony showjumping competitions as a youngster. Skelton enjoyed a summer with Reg Hollinshead when aged 13 prior to a spell at Richard Hannon’s yard after leaving school. He joined Paul Nicholls’ yard, where his older brother Dan is assistant trainer, in October, 2005, but continued to show an interest on the Flat and took part in the Bollinger series for amateur riders in the summer of 2006. After partnering a handful of Nicholls’ runners as an amateur, Skelton took the decision to turn professional on New Year’s Day, 2007, and he partnered his first winner under Rules when scoring on Temper Lad in a conditional jockeys’ selling handicap hurdle at Exeter on October 10, 2007. His first full season as a conditional yielded 14 winners but it was a quick-fire big race double in December, 2008, that saw Skelton rise to prominence in his own right. Just days after guiding Niche Market to success in the valuable BGC Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot, Skelton partnered Nozic to victory in the Grade Three Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby. A superb campaign reached further heights in April, 2009, as Skelton once again linked up with Niche Market to triumph in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Skelton’s best season came in 2009/10 with 31 winners - his biggest victory of that campaign came on the Nicholls-trained Beshabar, who romped to an eight-length success in the Grade Three Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown. He also had his first John Smith’s Grand National ride aboard Niche Market in 2010 and returned to finish fifth on the same horse in 2011.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2010 Niche Market (PU 27th); 2011 Niche Market (5th)

VIKING BLOND (FR) FACTFILE

ch g Varese (FR)-Sweet Jaune (FR) (Le Nain Jaune (FR )) 7-10-00 Form: 4/6031212/P623000-143P5 Owner: Caroline Mould

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Brian Hughes Breeder: Dominique Le Baron

Viking Blond

Bred in France by Dominique Le Baron on April 1, 2005, Viking Blond arrived in Britain as an unraced three-year-old in 2008. He made his racecourse debut for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and owner Caroline Mould the following season, when finishing fourth in a bumper at Stratford. Sent hurdling he ran three times without success in novices’ events, but broke his duck when winning a handicap hurdle at Exeter on February 3, 2010, under Twiston-Davies’ then stable jockey Paddy Brennan. The following month, at Chepstow, he won again over hurdles, and although he failed to add to his success in that sphere he was considered good enough to appear at last year’s Cheltenham Festival (7th of 23 in the Pertemps Final) and when unplaced in handicap company at Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting. Sent novice chasing in October 2011, Viking Blond scored in smart style at Chepstow under the trainer’s son, Sam, and after two more placed efforts at Cheltenham and Newbury he was qualified to run in the Coral Welsh National. Surprisingly given his inexperience, Viking Blond was sent off the 6/1 favourite, but was struggling before half way and eventually pulled up. He was subsequently fifth of 12 in a Listed chase at Ascot, which was his most recent outing. Race Record: Starts: 20; 1st: 3; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £26,414

Caroline Mould

The second wife of Raymond Mould, who won the Grand National a decade ago with Bindaree. Formerly Caroline Wilson, she worked for Mould before marring him in 2004, nearly four years after the death from cancer of his first wife Jenny at the age of 54 in November, 2000. Caroline Mould also owners the outstanding Nicky Henderson-trained novice chaser Sprinter Sacre, winner of this year’s Grade One Racing Post Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Raymond Mould, born on December 8, 1940, is a revered figure in the property world. He is currently non-executive chairman and co-founder of London & Stamford Property, which at one time owned a stake in Aintree’s retail park and has a share in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre. He qualified as a solicitor in 1964 and in 1976 co-founded Arlington, of which he became chairman in 1990, having been involved in the UK property market since 1970. Arlington was floated in 1986 and sold to British Aerospace in 1989 for £287 million. He was instrumental in the establishment of Pillar in 1991 and became its chairman in 1994 when Pillar was floated, a position he held until 2005 when Pillar was sold to British Land plc for £811 million. Mould joined the board of Arena Leisure in October, 2005, and until recently was chairman of the publicly listed company which operates several British racecourses and owns a stake in specialist broadcaster At The Races. Among the best horses to race for his first wife were the 1993 King George VI Chase winner Barton Bank and Charter Party, owned jointly with Claire Smith and winner of the 1988 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Mould trainers include Twiston-Davis, Nicky Henderson and, on the Flat, Charlie Hills and Henry Candy. The Moulds ran the 90-acre Grange Stud (UK) at their Guiting Power home in the same village as Twiston-Davies’ yard but following Jenny’s death Raymond Mould moved to a village near Burford in Oxfordshire with Caroline and sold his breeding stock at Doncaster in November, 2002. There was a big celebration after Bindaree’s win at the Hollow Bottom pub in Guiting Power, part-owned by Raymond Mould. Raymond Mould’s John Smith’s Grand National Record: 1997 Grange Brake (Ref 27th); 2002 BINDAREE (WON); 2003 Bindaree (6th); 2004 Bindaree (UR 6th); 2005 Bindaree (11th); 2007 Knowhere (UR 8th); 2008 Knowhere (UR 22nd); 2009 Knowhere (PU bef 25th).

Nigel Twiston-Davies (Guiting Power, Gloucestershire)

Nigel Twiston-Davies initially combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. He has since gone on to register more than 1,400 successes. Born on May 16, 1957, Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners as an amateur under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Guiting Power, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture and currently assists Lucinda Russell. Twiston-Davies adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. He is the only current trainer to have won the Grand National more than once, saddling Earth Summit to victory in 1998 and Bindaree four years later. The 2001/2002 campaign had been relatively quiet by Twiston-Davies' high standards before Bindaree provided him with his second John Smith's Grand National success. Afterwards he revealed that he had been intending to give up training, but despite "having a bigger debt than Argentina" after buying out Scudamore, the Aintree victory made him have a change of heart. Twiston-Davies has had 13 successes at the Cheltenham Festival, gaining three victories on the final day of the 2010 Festival, with Imperial Commander showing his best form to win the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Baby Run capturing the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase under 17-year-old son Sam and Pigeon Island taking the last race, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. This followed a double with Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase and Tricky Trickster in the National Hunt Chase in 2009. Imperial Commander went on to win the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, 2010, but was pulled up in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Other big-race successes include the bet365 Gold Cup with Beau, the Hennessy Gold Cup with King's Road, the Scottish Grand National with Captain Dibble (1992), Earth Summit (1994) and Hello Bud (2009), and the Welsh Grand National with Earth Summit (1997) and Bindaree (2003). His best season numerically was last season when he saddled 97 winners. His teenage sons Sam and Willy are both jump jockeys. John Smith's Grand National Record: 1994 Young Hustler (BD 11th); 1995 Camelot Knight (Fell 21st), Dakyns Boy (UR 10th), Young Hustler (UR 3rd); 1996 Young Hustler (5th), Captain Dibble (11th); 1997 Camelot Knight (3rd), Dakyns Boy (8th), Grange Brake (Refused 27th); 1998 EARTH SUMMIT (WON); 1999 Earth Summit (8th), Camelot Knight (BD 22nd); 2000 Camelot Knight (15th); 2001 Beau (UR 20th), Spanish Main (Fell 1st); 2002 BINDAREE (WON), Frantic Tan (UR 5th), Beau (UR 14th); 2003 Bindaree (6th); 2004 Shardam (UR 3rd), Bindaree (UR 6th); 2005 Bindaree (11th), 2006 Baron Windrush (UR 3rd); 2007 Knowhere (UR 8th); Naunton Brook (PU bef 23rd), 2008 Fundamentalist (Fell 3rd), Ardaghey (Fell 4th), Naunton Brook (PU 19th), Knowhere (UR 25th); 2009 Battlecry (16th), Ollie Magern (Fell 2nd), Fundamentalist (PU 21st), Knowhere (PU 25th); 2010 Hello Bud (5th), Beat The Boys (PU 19th), Ballyfitz (Fell 22nd), Ollie Magern (PU 28 th); 2011 Hello Bud (PU 29th), Grand Slam Hero (Fell 13th)

Brian Hughes

Brian Hughes was born on June 27, 1985, and raised in South Armagh. He started out in his native Ireland riding as a Flat apprentice. Having graduated from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education in Kildare in 2002, he rode for trainer Kevin Prendergast who provided him with his first winner when Perugino Lady won an apprentice handicap at Downpatrick on October 9, 1992. After three seasons and 19 wins on the Flat, rising weight prompted a full-time switch to jump racing. He was connected to the James Lambe stable for the 2004/05 season but relocated to Britain and the County Durham yard of Howard Johnson for the 2005/06 campaign. His career flourished after becoming stable jockey at Alan Swinbank’s North Yorkshire yard, a move that saw him crowned champion conditional at the end of the 2007/08 season with 39 wins on the board, most of them for Swinbank and County Durham permit holder John Wade. He partnered 65 winners last season, a career best. He has a good record over the Grand National fences, having partnered Always Waining to success in the 2010 John Smith’s Topham Trophy and Frankie Figg to victory in the Grand Sefton Chase in November. He rode for the now warned-off Howard Johnson, for whom he won the 2010 Cleeve Hurdle aboard Tidal Bay. He won an award for leading jump jockey in Yorkshire last season. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2010 Beat The Boys (PU 19th); 2011 Tidal Bay (UR 10th).



WEIRD AL (IRE) FACTFILE

b g Accordion-Bucks Gift (Buckley)

9-11-08 Form: 2/1/111/10P-13P Owner: Andrew Brannon, Andrew Dick, Philip Holden

Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Timmy Murphy Breeder: C Ronaldson

Weird Al

A 60,000 euros purchase at the 2006 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, Weird Al’s racing career began with Herefordshire handler Venetia Williams. Having finished second on his debut in an Exeter bumper on January 1, 2008, he moved to Ian Williams and had only one start the following season, when winning a Warwick novices’ hurdle in November, 2008. He next appeared a year later when winning a novices’ chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting and scored at the same course the following month. After winning the Grade Two Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby in February, 2010, he was aimed at the following month’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham but had to miss the Grade One contest when suffering a fracture to a cannon bone just a couple of days before the race. He returned at Carlisle in October, 2010, when dead-heating for first place with Little Josh in an intermediate chase and went on to finish eight behind Diamond Harry in the following month’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury. Afterwards he had a wind operation and did not run again until the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup in which, after racing prominently early on, he was pulled up after breaking a blood vessel. He joined Donald McCain this season and made a winning start for his new trainer when partnered by Timmy Murphy to land the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October. He went on to finish 10-lengths third to Kauto Star in the following month’s Betfair Chase at Haydock and was then kept fresh for another tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. He never travelled well and was pulled up, having again broken a blood vessel.

Race Record: Starts: 11; 1st: 6; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1 Win & Place Prize Money: £133,600

Andrew Brannon, Andrew Dick and Philip Holden

Andrew Brannon was born in London and grew interested in racing when at school in Chester, watching the action at the local course from the city walls. He has owned horses for six or seven years and was involved in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing partnership that won the 2008 King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot with Colony. He and Weird Al’s co-owners could have an exciting day on Saturday as they are also set to be represented by the Donald McCain- trained Super Duty in the John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. Their other horses with McCain include this season’s Grade One Finale Juvenile Hurdle winner Hollow Tree while Brannon additionally has a half-share in a horse with Tim Easterby and plans to get another inmate with Newmarket handler John Berry, from whom his hurdler Dr Darcey was recently claimed. Brannon is a chartered accountant and licensed insolvency practitioner who co-founded the LCL Group, a specialist provider of insurance and reinsurance services. He started the company with one of Weird Al’s co-owners, Philip Holden, a lawyer now based in Manchester. The third partner is Andrew Dick, who is also based in Manchester and co-founded Begbies Taylor, Britain’s biggest independent corporate rescue and recovery specialists. They named their John Smith’s Grand National contender after Weird Al Yankovic, the American singer famous for parodying other people’s songs. The connection came from the fact that Yankovic is a good accordion player and Weird Al is by the stallion Accordion.

No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners

Donald McCain Jnr (Cholmondeley, Cheshire)

Born on June 13, 1970, Donald McCain Jnr is the son of the late Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Red Rum, the only horse to win the John Smith’s Grand National three times (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also Amberleigh House, the 2004 victor. Ginger McCain died at the age of 80 on September 19, 2011. Donald learnt to ride on his sister Joanne’s pony Gambol and rode in his first race on the Flat aged 15 (his father told a few white lies so he could ride) at Haydock Park. He subsequently became a jump jockey, firstly as an amateur and then a professional, partnering around 40 winners under Rules. He rode several times over the Grand National fences, finishing fifth aboard Harley in the 1992 Fox Hunters’ Chase and 17th on Sure Metal in the 1996 Grand National. He also spent time working for trainers Luca Cumani, Sir Michael Stoute and Oliver Sherwood. Donald subsequently became assistant trainer to his father at Bankhouse Stables at Cholmondeley in Cheshire and played a significant role in Amberleigh House’s Grand National victory in 2004. He was expected to take over the licence from his father at the start of the 2006/7 jump season, but had to wait until June, 2006, before he was able to train in his own name as he needed to complete the appropriate British Horseracing Authority courses. Donald’s first winner as a licensed trainer came with Bearaway in a handicap chase at Newton Abbot on June 8, 2006. He secured his first Cheltenham Festival triumph with Cloudy Lane in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase in 2007 and enjoyed 40 winners in his first campaign. In the 2007/08 season, he had 58 successes and a second Cheltenham Festival success with Whiteoak in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, while the 2008/09 haul of 62 winners included Cloudy Lane’s victory in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park. The 2009/10 season brought further success with a double at the Cheltenham Festival thanks to Peddlers Cross in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and Ballabriggs in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, and a career best 88 winners. Last season, when he reached 100 winners, Peddlers Cross landed the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle and was a gallant runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, while Overturn took the Northumberland Plate on the Flat in June and added the Galway Hurdle a month later. Overturn has been in even better form this season, winning the Grade Two Ascot Hurdle before gaining his first success at Grade One level in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and finishing second in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.. McCain is also the trainer of Smithy The Horse, owned by the John Smith’s Racing Partnership which offers John Smith’s drinkers the chance to own a share in a racehorse. He emulated his father by training a John Smith’s Grand National winner in 2011, with Ballabriggs taking the spoils in good style. The 2011/2012 season is going very well, with 136 (March 27) successes, which include two more Cheltenham Festival triumphs courtesy of Cinders And Ashes in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Son Of Flicka in the Coral Cup. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2007 Idle Talk (UR 19th); 2008 Cloudy Lane (6th), Idle Talk (14th); 2009 Idle Talk (12th), Cloudy Lane (UR 15th); 2010 Cloudy Lane (8th), 2011 BALLABRIGGS (WON)

Timmy Murphy

Timmy Murphy fulfilled a lifelong ambition at Aintree in 2008 when he partnered Comply Or Die to victory in the John Smith's Grand National. Born on August 20, 1974, in Co Kildare - where his father Jimmy managed Newberry Stud - Timmy Murphy rode as an amateur in Ireland for Mick Halford, Noel Chance and Michael Hourigan. His first winner came on Gayloire at Kilmuckridge point-to-point in County Wexford. Murphy opted to relocate to England upon turning professional and joined Kim Bailey's Upper Lambourn yard in 1996. He had earlier ridden his first winner under Rules in Britain on Quiet Amusement at Uttoxeter on August 29, 1995, and holds the distinction of riding the final jump winner at the now Flat-only Nottingham racecourse aboard Dominie on February 29, 1996. His first Cheltenham Festival success came on the Martin Pipe-trained Terao in the Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase in 1997. Murphy rode for Paul Nicholls, for whom he won the 1998 Pillar Property Chase and Rehearsal Chase on See More Business, but lost the ride to Mick Fitzgerald prior to the horse's Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George VI Chase triumphs and was overtaken in the pecking order at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat stable in November, 1998, when Joe Tizzard was appointed first jockey. He returned to Nicholls in May, 2001, this time overtaking Tizzard as the stable's main jockey. He had a great ride on the Mark Pitman-trained Smarty when second in the 2001 John Smith's Grand National, however, behind the scenes Murphy was battling with alcoholism and, in July, 2002, he was sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting an air stewardess. Released in October, 2002, he returned to the saddle and rode his first winner back on Santenay in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on November 9, of that year. Following the departure of Tony McCoy from Martin Pipe's stable, Murphy became the retained rider for the stable's leading owner David Johnson in the summer of 2004, and their successes have included Celestial Gold in the 2006 Betfred Bowl at Aintree. He won that race again in 2008 aboard Our Vic, famously defeating the great Kauto Star in the process. Murphy's other successes aboard Our Vic include the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase. He also partnered the Michael Ryan-owned Al Eile to victory in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Murphy, whose critically-acclaimed biography ‘Ride The Storm' was published in 2006, rode his 1,000th British winner at Taunton on January 21, 2010. He is married to Verity, daughter of owner Raymond Anderson Green, and he partnered his father-in-law’s Merigo to victory in the 2010 Scottish Grand National. The Murphys live at Cilldara Stud in Gloucestershire, where trainer Fergal O’Brien is based.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 1997 Dakyns Boy (8th); 1998 Court Melody (Fell 6th); 1999 Tamarindo (Fell 6th); 2000 Flaked Oats (Fell 20th); 2001 Smarty (2nd); 2002 Davids Lad (UR 20th); 2003 Torduff Express (UR 27th); 2004 Davids Lad (11th); 2005 It Takes Time (4th); 2006 It Takes Time (PU bef 29th); 2007 Celtic Son (PU bef 22nd); 2008 COMPLY OR DIE (WON), 2009 Comply Or Die (2nd); 2010 Comply Or Die (12th); 2011 Comply Or Die (PU bef 29th)

WEST END ROCKER (IRE) FACTFILE

b/br g Grand Plaisir (IRE) - Slyguff Lord (IRE) (Lord Americo)

10-10-12 Form: 320212/23212P/00-11PB-P1 Owner: Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater

Trainer: Alan King Breeder: Ms P Kidd Jockey: Wayne Hutchinson

West End Rocker

The lightly-raced West End Rocker emerged as a strong candidate for John Smith’s Grand National honours when victorious in the Grade Three totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick in January last season. The now 10-year-old sold for 2,000 euros as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland in November, 2002, and then in 2006 Michael Green paid 3,600 guineas for him at Brightwells Ascot July Sale. The gelding won one of four starts in point-to-points before making his debut under Rules for trainer Alan King and owners Barry Winfield and Andrew Longman (who paid £10,000 for him) in a Chepstow novice hurdle on November 28, 2007, in which he finished a promising third. He opened his account at the same course, on his fifth start, when defeating Gentle Ranger over three miles on soft ground in March, 2008. The 2008/09 season saw West End Rocker move to novice chasing and he made a good start when runner-up to Wichita Lineman, again at Chepstow, on one of three placed efforts before he broke his duck at the fourth attempt over fences in a three-mile Doncaster beginners’ chase on February 28, 2009. After finishing second to Shining Gale at Warwick in March, he was offered for sale at the 2009 Brightwells Cheltenham April Sale, with Highflyer Bloodstock securing him for £100,000. He reappeared three days later, on April 18, in the Scottish Grand National, sporting the same colours as previously but with Tim Leadbeater replacing Andrew Longman in the partnership alongside Barry Winfield. West End Rocker was pulled up in the race, which was won by Hello Bud. The 2009/10 season was restricted to two starts as he ran below par at Wincanton in November and at Kempton in December. After a 12-month lay-off, West End Rocker returned to the track at Newbury on December 15, 2010 and won an extended three and a quarter-mile handicap chase by a length and a quarter from Cornish Sett. He then went to Warwick, where he held off Minella Boys in heavy ground, but he was pulled up behind Silver By Nature in a testing renewal fo the Grade Three totesport.com Grand National Trial at Haydock in February last year. Despite that disappointing effort he lined up in the Aintree showpiece and appeared to be in good rhythm before being brought down at Becher’s Brook. The 10-year-old made his seasonal return at Cheltenham in November, but put in a very disappointing display resulting in him being pulled up. However, he stormed back into form over the John Smith’s Grand National fences in the Betfred Becher Chase in early December with a 22-length victory that has put him firmly in line for a tilt at the Grand National itself.

Race Record: Starts: 20; Wins: 5; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £113,362

Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater

Barry Winfield, born on December 21, 1940, built Stoke-based pump engineering firm Barry Winfield & Sons from scratch and headed the firm for about 40 years. He lives in retirement near Uttoxeter, having left his son Andrew to run the family business. He had horses with the late David Nicholson and when “The Duke” retired, he kept his horses with Nicholson’s former assistant, Alan King. Winfield first met the young King at Nottingham racecourse and has established a warm friendship with the trainer over the years. Winfield’s colours of red, with red spots on white sleeves and brown cap are most famously associated with My Way De Solzen, whom he bought and owned in partnership with Jerry Wright, Andrew Longman and Clive Fenton. The gelding landed the 2006 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the 2007 Grade One Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Ascot’s Grade One Long Walk Hurdle in 2005. The useful handicap hurdler Mughas is another that sported Winfield’s colours. He initially owned West End Rocker in partnership with Andrew Longman but after Longman decided he wanted to sell the gelding at Brightwells Cheltenham Sale in April, 2009, Winfield reinvested along with long-time friend Tim Leadbeater, the new partnership paying £100,000 at the auction for West End Rocker. Tim Leadbeater, 67, is a director of JCB and has owned horses for many years, notably in the care of trainer Jim Wilson. Leadbeater and Wilson’s biggest successes came when Taberna Lord landed the Coral Golden Hurdle Final at the 1987 Cheltenham Festival and when Glenbrook D’Or won the 1994 Midlands National. His pink colours with purple checks and black cap have also been successful on the Flat, mainly with trainer Reg Hollinshead. John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2011 West End Rocker (BD 6th)

Alan King (Barbury Castle, Wiltshire)

Born into a farming family in Lanarkshire on December 13, 1966, King was a member of a local pony club and also competed on the show jumping circuit before joining David Nicholson in Gloucestershire as an amateur jockey in 1985, having previously worked for John Wilson in his native Scotland. He finished third in a couple of hunter chases and served as assistant for 15 years to Nicholson, from whom he took over the licence at Jackdaws Castle stables near Temple Guiting on December 3, 1999. The following day, Mini Moo Min gave him a first success at Towcester. In that rookie season, King also saddled Relkeel to take a third Bula Hurdle (now the StanJames.com International) at Cheltenham and won the totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot with Anzum. He also sent out Go Ballistic to finish second behind See More Business in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. He was based at Jackdaws Castle, then owned by Colin Smith, until the end of that 1999/2000 season, when he moved (June 1, 2000) to the Barbury Castle estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire, owned by one of his principal patrons, Nigel Bunter. King's first win at the Cheltenham Festival came in 2004, when Fork Lightning won the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase. Among the best horses King has trained are Katchit (2007 Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle, 2007 JCB Triumph Hurdle, 2008 Champion Hurdle), Voy Por Ustedes (2008 & 2009 John Smith’s Melling Chase, 2006 Arkle Trophy, 2007 Queen Mother Champion Chase), My Way De Solzen (2006 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, 2007 Arkle Trophy, 2005 Long Walk Hurdle), Blazing Bailey (2008 Liverpool Hurdle, 2008 Punchestown Champion Stayers’ Hurdle, 2007 Cleeve Hurdle), Penzance (2005 JCB Triumph Hurdle), Stromness (2002 Sefton Novices' Hurdle), Spendid (2002 Long Distance Hurdle), Crystal D'Ainay (2004 Cleeve Hurdle), Walkon (2009 Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle), Nenuphar Collonges (2008 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle) and Medermit (2011 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase). When Katchit won the 2008 Stan James Champion Hurdle, he was the first five-year-old to triumph in the championship race for 23 years. After a couple of quiet seasons King has had his string in very good form this season, bagging a number of black type successes with likes of Grumeti, Invictus, Smad Place, Batonnier, Raya Star, Medermit and Secret Edge. King and his wife Rachel were married in Antigua in 1998. They have a son, Henry, and a daughter, Georgia.

John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2000 Call It A Day (6th), Listen Timmy (PU 17th); 2001 Listen Timmy (PU 16th); 2004 Bear On Board (8th); 2007 Kandjar D’Allier (Fell 8th); 2007 Tikram (UR 1st); 2008 D’Argent (UR 27 th); 2011 West End Rocker (BD 6th)

Wayne Hutchinson

The son of a postman, Wayne Hutchinson was born on February 25, 1981, and rode his first winner on the Flat at Salisbury aboard Whatevers Right on October 7, 1998. He originally planned to ride as a Flat jockey and spent 18 months with Mark Usher before deciding to trying his hand over jumps and took guidance from Stan Mellor and Jeff King. He joined Alan King’s stable in 2002 and partnered Halcon Generlardais to success in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow in 2006. Hutchinson had his first success at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009 on Oh Crick in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase and also has also ridden a winner over the National fences, having partnered West End Rocker to victory in the Betfred Becher Chase art Aintree in December, 2011.

John Smith's Grand National Record: 2007 Tikram (UR 1st); 2009 Darkness (13th); 2010 Eric’s Charm (Fell 1st)