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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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National connections have their say
Katie Walsh (Baie Des Iles), Bryony Frost (Milansbar) and Rachael Blackmore (Alpha Des Obeaux)
© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of the 40 runners in the Randox Health Grand National assess their chances of Aintree glory:
1) THUNDER AND ROSES
Mouse Morris, trainer
"If you're not in, you can't win. I don't think the ground will be an inconvenience."
2) BLAKLION
Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer
"I know he has gone up 8lb, but with a bit more restraint hopefully he'll be there."
3) ANIBALE FLY
Frank Berry, racing manager
"He ran a great race at Cheltenham and Tony Martin is very happy with him."
4) THE LAST SAMURI
Kim Bailey, trainer
"I just think he's a phenomenal jumper. Soft ground helps him a little bit as it slows the others down a bit."
5) VALSEUR LIDO
Henry de Bromhead, trainer
"He probably got bogged down in the ground in his last couple of starts. He's in great form."
6) TOTAL RECALL
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer
"He has big-field handicap experience and a touch of class."
7) ALPHA DES OBEAUX
Rachael Blackmore, jockey
"I rode him in Leopardstown, but Aintree is very different. Hopefully he'll run a big race."
8) PERFECT CANDIDATE
Fergal O'Brien, trainer
"He didn't run too badly in it last year. With a better prep this year he should be a lot of fun if he gets round."
9) SHANTOU FLYER
Richard Hobson, trainer
"He's a much stronger horse this season. He got knocked sideways in the race last year and that's what made him pull up."
10) TENOR NIVERNAIS
Liam Treadwell, assistant trainer
"He got round last year and didn't do a lot wrong, so he deserves to take his chance."
11) CARLINGFORD LOUGH
Frank Berry, racing manager
"He's got some very good form in the book. He wouldn't want much more rain, though."
12) DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR
Sue Smith, trainer
"He ran very well at Haydock. I don't know if the ground is going against us a little bit but he has got no weight on."
13) TIGER ROLL
Gordon Elliott, trainer
"I think he's got a great profile. He's got 10st 12lb on his back, which is a lovely weight."
14) REGAL ENCORE
Anthony Honeyball, trainer
"It's just a case of having that same luck in running he had last year. He had a lovely run through last season."
15) VIEUX LION ROUGE
David Pipe, trainer
"He had a good National prep run at Ascot and the ground will be fine for him. He jumps well over those fences."
16) CHASE THE SPUD
Fergal O'Brien, trainer
"He's in great form and we are hoping the National will spark something in him."
17) WARRIORS TALE
Trevor Hemmings, owner
"He can run in all sorts of conditions. I'm hopeful."
18) SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT
Sandy Thomson, trainer
"Conditions shouldn't affect him, but it's the Grand National and anything can happen."
19) GAS LINE BOY
Ian Williams, trainer
"He has schooled over Grand National-type fences at home and his work has been good."
20) THE DUTCHMAN
Colin Tizzard, trainer
"He burst a blood vessel on his last run and came home all wrong. We've given him plenty of time to freshen up. He'll handle the ground well."
21) PLEASANT COMPANY
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer
"We're hoping he might rediscover his spark and if he does, he has to have an each-way chance."
22) UCELLO CONTI
Gordon Elliott, trainer
"Ucello Conti has been going very well at home and I think he'll run well."
23) SAINT ARE
Tom George, trainer
"His whole campaign has been geared around another shot at the National - he's in his element there."
24) WALK IN THE MILL
Robert Walford, trainer
"If he gets into a rhythm he's the sort of good jumper who could go well."
25) RAZ DE MAREE
Gavin Cromwell, trainer
"I think I'm the only person who wasn't upset with all the rain recently and long may it last."
26) I JUST KNOW
Sue Smith, trainer
"It wasn't the plan to run over hurdles last time, it was because of all the meetings we've lost. He was good at Catterick in the North Yorkshire National."
27) VIRGILIO
Dan Skelton, trainer
"He has a good record around the Mildmay course. He's a big price but anything could happen."
28) BAIE DES ILES
Katie Walsh, jockey
"We're hoping she will take to the fences. She's a really solid jumper. She's got an attractive profile."
29) MAGGIO
James Griffin, assistant trainer
"We're realistic about our chances, but a completion for a small yard like us would be fantastic."
30) PENDRA
Charlie Longsdon, trainer
"He has had a wind operation since his last run. The only thing he wouldn't want is bottomless ground."
31) BUYWISE
Evan Williams, trainer
"The old horse is in remarkable form. Everything is good."
32) CHILDRENS LIST
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer
"Childrens List beat Edwulf in his beginners' chase and if you take that form literally he's well handicapped."
33) LORD WINDERMERE
Jim Culloty, trainer
"He's in good form. He's fit. I'm happy with him."
34) CAPTAIN REDBEARD
Stuart Coltherd, trainer
"The horse has got the ability. I think he's proved that this season. He should handle the fences."
35) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX
Liam Treadwell, assistant trainer
"He ran with credit last year and he's in very good form."
36) BLESS THE WINGS
Gordon Elliott, trainer
"He is not getting any younger, but he's been second in the Irish National twice. A bit better ground would have suited him."
37) MILANSBAR
Neil King, trainer
"It's great to have Bryony (Frost) on board again. She schooled him over National-style fences the other day and all went well. He's in great form."
38) FINAL NUDGE
David Dennis, trainer
"It's a wet spring, which isn't a disadvantage. He's jumped much better this year than last season."
39) DOUBLE ROSS
Carl Llewellyn, assistant trainer
"He was running well in the 2016 National when the saddle slipped and looked to be taking to the track."
40) ROAD TO RICHES
Noel Meade, trainer
"He hasn't shown anything since he had that bad fall at Punchestown. We've done everything differently and he seems in great form - we've jumped him over some National fences."