Grand National Runners 2013

The final declared Grand National runners and riders will be confirmed on Thursday for Saturday’s John Smiths Grand National at Aintree. Check the form and odds of the list of horses in the grand national 2013.  Bet on the Grand National favourite, On Your Own or use Free Grand National Bets

The runners guide has been prepared with professional horse racing tipster John McWhinnie and @ProlificRUK, writer for the racinguk blog.

No.	Form	Colours	Grand National Horses	Odds	Bet	Age	Weight	Trainers	Jockey	Rating
15	B1F-1		On His Own	9/1		9	11-0	W P Mullins	Ruby Walsh	148
Currently at the head of most bookmakers lists at around 6/1. I would be surprised if he is favourite on the day as prices tend to drift as all the off course money filters to the market on the day. 6/1 is not the sort of price you want to be taking in a race like this. It will be the one the bookies want to get beat the most. Yes he has a low weight of just 11 stone but it doesn’t matter how much weight you are carrying if you don’t get around and as he tends to hit a couple of fences every now and then I think he is a false favourite. All his wins have been with a soft or heavy surface underfoot and I will be looking to take this horse on come Saturday. Especially if it ends up anywhere near the 6/1 price. Ruby Walsh has confirmed he will take the ride.  ** 2 stars
6	113-23		Seabass WIN TIP	9/1		10	11-6	T M Walsh	Ms Katie Walsh	154
This was my big tip for last years race and the combination of Ted training and daughter Katie riding caught the public’s eye for a nice story. Added to the decent pre-race form and a nationwide gamble the horse was backed down to 8-1. Everything was in the horses favour last year and the horse has been aimed at this race since he finished third. Three furlongs out there was no horse travelling better but I just get the feeling that his chance has gone and a similar position in this year’s renewal will be the most the Walsh’s can hope for. Jockey bookings have know been confirmed and I can see a similar gamble on Katie again this time around. **** 4 stars
13	1209379		Colbert Station	12/1		9	11-1	T M Walsh	AP McCoy	149
Tony McCoy spoke very highly of this horse after his last win at Punchestown. A definite improver and gets in here with a decent weight. Should handle any ground and is likely to be near the head of the market come Saturday, he currently sits at around 12/1 in with most firms. I would imagine this horse to be a single figure price come the weekend and if he gets a clear round I can’t see him being out of the frame. AP McCoy takes the ride and the price will compress, imagine Ruby Walsh face if his pal rides the winner of the National for his Dad, Ted. ***** 5 stars
18	334-22		Cappa Bleu	12/1		11	10-11	Evan Williams	Paul Maloney	145
A cracking run from the Welsh trainers stable star last year saw Cappa Bleu run on to finish 4th so we know he will enjoy the fences and the distance. Since then he has finished second when he got bogged down in the very deep ground at Carlisle and then second again to Vino Griego who franked the form next time out. I would expect another solid run again this time around. But remember it is over 100 years since a Welsh trained horse won the National. *** 3 stars
1	1U1P/2		Imperial Commander	16/1		12	11-10	Nigel Twiston-Davies	Sam Twiston-Davies	158
You are allocated top weight for good reason and this ex-Gold Cup winner defiantly has the class to go close. A fantastic return to the track at Cheltenham last time following injury shows that Mr Twiston-Davies has done a fantastic job just getting the horse back to the track although I do feel that with top weight to carry and 36 furlongs over which to carry it may just be a step too far. The trainers on Sam takes the ride.** 2 stars
8	912-5P		Sunnyhillboy	16/1		10	11-4	Jonjo O´Neill	Richie McLernon	152
Top owner JP McManus could not have had many worse days than the same day last year, with Gold Cup Winner Synchronised being fatally injured in the race he was then touched off in a photo finish with Sunnyhillboy. It must be horrible to lose a horse in such a way and it would take a huge slice of ‘Karma’ for this to be rectified in this year’s renewal. I will guarantee there will not be a dry eye to be seen if the famous green and gold silks come home in first place on Saturday. The horse has another ten pounds to carry this year and he is not the biggest animal and may struggle to finish so close this year. AP McCoy has discussed his options with connections and has decided to ride Cobert Station so Richie McLernon will hope to go one better than last year. **2 stars
26	0F631		Chicago Grey	12/1		10	10-7	Gordon Elliott	Paul Carberry	141
Chicago Grey only got to the 5th fence last year before he was brought down through no fault of  his own and connections will be looking for a little more luck this time around. A recent breathing operation brought an improved performance from him last time out when he scooted up at Navan in ground that does not suit him as most of his wins have come on a decent surface. Hi young trainer continues to impress and Chicago Grey may be another for the shortlist. *** 3 stars
10	2454431		Teaforthree	16/1		9	11-3	Rebecca Curtis	Nick Scholfield	151
Stamina is proven for this 9 year having already won over four miles at Cheltenham. A solid jumper and in good form if you ignore his last run which now just looks like a pipe opener for the big day. Regular jockey booking for Teaforthree is AP who will be riding one of the McManus horses so there could be a nice spare ride for someone and Teaforthree has to go on the shortlist. Now, finally Nick Scholfield has been confirmed as the jockey to ride, which is great news, I received a Tweet from him last night and I have asked a Michael Barzalona style salute as he crosses the line. Connections will be hoping Teaforthree can come home in front and give a big boost to the Mcnamara family who are coming to terms with J.T recent injury. J.T rode Teaforthree to victory for Rebecaa Curtis at Cheltenham in 2012.  *****5 stars
12	P3-72P		Join Together	20/1		8	11-2	Paul Nicholls	Daryl Jacob	150
Join Together ran really well over the big Aintree fences recently when running second in the Becher Chase in heavy ground and you can ignore his last run when he was hampered early in the race and was pulled up. On a purely handicapping basis he is plenty high enough in the weights for me and if you look deeper into the Becher chase run he was beaten by Hello Bud who is now 14 years old and in a race that was run 44 minutes over standard. Daryl Jacobs in the plate * 1 star
9	46-P73		Ballabriggs	14/1		12	11-4	Donald McCain	Jason Maguire	152
Not many horses win the National more than once but Donald and his team certainly have the credentials to join this elite club. Ballabriggs is only a couple of pounds higher in the weights than when he won in 2011 but he is now 12 years old and the form of the trainer is enough to make me think that owner Trevor Hemmings will not be adding to his fortune with the big prize pot this time around. Stable jockey Jason MacGuire knows how to win a National, he has two Scottish and one English victory to his name **2 stars
17	0O1-12		Balthazar King	20/1		9	10-12	Philip Hobbs	Richard Johnson	146
Philip Hobb’s nine year old has been in sparkling form over marathon distances in the latter part of last year, racking up two wins and a decent second place all at Cheltenham. He has not been seen since and is really more of a cross country specialist these days. He should have no problem with the distance or the fences but I get the feeling the best he can hope for is a top ten finish and I will be looking elsewhere for the winner. ** 2 stars
28	B8-643		Rare Bob	16/1		11	10-6	D T Hughes	Brian Cooper	140
A 5th fence faller last year and would need very soft conditions underfoot to be considered for this year’s race. The trainer has a decent record at the track and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if he was to show an improved performance but I believe the ground will be an issue. ** 2 stars
5	7/U312		Big Fella Thanks	40/1		11	11-6	Tom George	Denis O’Regan	154
Big Fella Thanks is probably the most experienced horse over the National fences, he has finished 4th, 6th and 7th in recent years. He is n good form at the moment and will more than likely run his race again this time although 11 years old now he may have missed his chance, I can see him running another good race but not quiet being good enough to trouble the judge. Denis O’Regan takes the ride. **2 stars
7	1U355		Roberto Goldback	20/1		11	11-6	Nicky Henderson	Barry Geraghty	154
Top trainer but not a top horse, I have my reservations about Roberto’s love of the game and he is another horse who’s recent form is more than enough to put me off. Apparently bought and sent to Nicky Henderson with this race in mind I think it will just prove a nice day out for the owners rather than a trip to the winner’s enclosure. Can stable jockey Barry Geraghty continue his good run of form from the Festival? **2stars
11	11271		Across The Bay	40/1		9	11-2	Donald McCain	Henry Brooke	150
Decent hurdler and a steady horse over fences, an easy win over three miles in heavy ground at Carlisle put him into many notebooks but this is going to be a completely different test on better ground against better horse and trainer form aside I don’t think he will be good enough. **2 stars
22	23F-71		Treacle	33/1		12	10-9	T J Taaffe	Andrew Lynch	143
Treacle was well back in the field when falling in last year’s race but he did bounce back to form last time in heavy ground at Down Royal over 3 miles and 2 furlongs. He is twelve now so we are not going to see any sudden leaps in form but his popular Irish trainer has had the National as his target for some time now and he may be a lively outsider at odds of around 40/1 especially if the ground comes up on the heavy side. ***3 stars
2	33F7-8		What A Friend	66/1		10	11-9	Paul Nicholls	Sam Thomas	157
After the top trainers rather un-expected victory with Neptune Collonges last year you must take a second look at all his runners. What A Friend is a solid jumper who has only fallen once in his career, he should enjoy the ground and may well be a decent each way selection at a big price, remember last year the Starting Price of two of the finishers in the first five where 33/1 and 100/1. And if you shop around you will find a bookmaker paying down to five places. Sam Thomas is the more than able rider who is in the plate. Part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson **** 4 stars
20	091-78		Always Waining	33/1		12	10-10	Peter Bowen	Tom O’Brien	144
This ex-flat horse who is out of the Derby winner Unfawain has managed at least one victory in each of his last seven seasons and he is the type of horse to pop up when least expected. That said he is certainly not a horse to rely on and rarely runs two races the same. I will be disappointed if at the age of 12 he proves me wrong again this time. *1 star
31	2P-P90		Harry The Viking	40/1		8	10-6	Paul Nicholls	Ryan Mahon	140
Recent form has hardly been inspiring from this part Alex Ferguson owned horse and let’s face it a winner for the Manchester United manager on Merseyside would not be a popular result. We have seen from last year’s result that Paul Nicholls has to be respected. He is held on recent form by Teaforthree and would need the ground to firm up to be considered,  He fell at the first last year but if he gets into a rhythm the distance should not be an issue. ** 2 stars
39	1B-891		Soll	33/1		8	9-12	Jo Hughes	Mark Grant	132
Ex Willie Mullins horse this 8 year old is now with Jo Hughes at Lambourn. He is another horse that will need the ground to be really soft to be at his best. He has been well held by Teaforthree on more than one occasion. *2 stars
3	PF-4PP		Weird Al	66/1		10	11-8	Donald McCain	Timmy Murphy	156
The McCain Clan and the Grand National have gone hand in hand for many a year and there would not be a more popular winner at their local track. The celebrations in the winner’s enclosure in 2011 when Ballabriggs romped home will be remembered for a long time to come. Unfortunately I do not think Weird Al will be adding his name to any history books on Saturday. The horse seems to be on a downward spiral and the trainer is woefully out of form and this is the first horse I will scratch off the list. Stable jockey Jason MacGuire will be on Ballabriggs so Timmy Murphy takes the ride. * 1 star
4	113-04		Quel Esprit	50/1		9	11-7	W P Mullins		155
The master Irish trainer had a fantastic Cheltenham Festival and continues to bang in winners with stunning consistency. Quel Esprit is however not as consistent or as accurate with his jumping. He also has his best form in bottomless ground and I doubt that top jockey Ruby Walsh will pick this horse as his ride on Saturday. ** 2 stars
16	35233		Joncol	40/1		10	10-13	Paul Nolan	Robbie Power	147
A smooth travelling individual who seems to be past his best. Has had back problems recently and I would be surprised if he takes his chance and would be even more surprised if he was to be good enough to win. Robbie Power is the jockey who will be hoping that Joncol can surprise at a huge price* 1 star
19	4-4U60		Oscar Time	50/1		12	10-11	M M Lynch	Sam Waley-Cohen	145
Oscar time was well back when he finished second to Ballabriggs in the National in 2011 since then he has been dogged by injury and has struggled to re-capture anything like for form he showed at Aintree. He is now 12 years old and I think his chance has gone and he seems to be going backwards. *1 star
23	11611		Lost Glory	40/1		8	10-8	Jonjo O´Neill	Mark Walsh	142
This New Zealand bred eight year old had a fantastic 2012 winning four times under Tony McCoy. He has not been seen out since last October but you can be assured that fitness will not be an issue. This is a major step up in class for the horse. Again jockey bookings have yet to be confirmed but it would not be the first time that a second or third string from this yard has popped up at a huge price. *** 3 stars
25	1-F430		Saint Are (E/W TIP)	66/1		7	10-8	Tim Vaughan	Dougie Costello	142
Not many seven year old win the Grand National but this horse has already won twice at Aintree and trends are there to be broken. Saint Are may not be the most consistent of performers but he gets into the race with a decent weight and will have more improvement in him than most. His last run was in the amateur riders race at the Festival and can be ignored. *** 3 stars
27	0F-685		Quiscover Fontaine	40/1		9	10-7	W P Mullins	David Casey	141
Another inmate for the master Irish Trainer, QF has been campaigned over both hurdles and fences in the last twelve month, that tactic is not unheard of with National winners as it keeps the horses ‘match fit’ whilst protecting the valuable handicap mark. He was 50/1 for last year’s race when falling at the 17th, I can see an improved performance this year under a decent weight and it would be no surprise to see a Mullins horse at the forefront of the finish after the excellent form his horses showed at Cheltenham. *** 3 stars
14	2P1536		Forpadydeplastere	66/1		11	11-0	Thomas Cooper	Andrew J McNamara	148
This 11 year old has seen better days and a clear round is probably the best connections can hope for. His wins have been nearer to two miles than four and although he may show up in the early part of the race I would doubt he will be involved at the end. *1 star
21	5U-676		Tatenen	66/1		9	10-10	Richard Rowe	Andrew Thornton	144
Tatenen hails from the same ownership as Big Bucks but that’s where the similarity ends. He managed to get to the 8th fence in last year’s race where he unseated his rider at the Canal Turn. He has never won over three miles never mind four and it will be a major surprise if he turns a corner this weekend. * 1 star
24	P1440		Swing Bill	80/1		12	10-8	David Pipe	Conor O’Farrell	142
Swing Bill finished 10th in last year’s race and at the age of twelve he is not getting any younger. That said he is a solid jumper and has proved himself over the fences and over extended distances. We waited over fifty years for a grey winner of the National with Neptune Collonges last year but I don’t think this Grey will make it two years in a row. Conor O’Farrell rides* 1 star
29	311P4		The Rainbow Hunter	80/1		9	10-6	Kim Bailey	Aidan Coleman	140
The Rainbow Hunter is not the biggest individual and may struggle with some of the larger obstacles. Kim Bailey is a quality trainer but will need more ammunition than this horse to take the top prize. * 1 star
32	236026		Mr Moonshine	66/1		9	10-5	Sue Smith	Peter Buchanan	139
Distance has to be the major question mark for this gelding and you have to stay, stay and stay some more to win a National. You also have to go back as far as 2011 to find his last victory and this is one contender I think I can pass over pretty quickly. * 1 star
34	3F6042		Ninetieth Minute	66/1		10	10-3	T J Taaffe	Niall P Madden	137
With just one win since March 2009 it is easy to pass this horse by plus being out of Old Vic soft ground will be a must and distance will also be an issue. * 1star
35	0P45F5		Auroras Encore	80/1		11	10-3	Sue Smith	Ryan Mania	137
Another sketchy jumper from the Sue Smith yard and another horse that at the age of eleven has seen better days. He did run a cracker to finish second in the 2012 Scottish National but more often than not his questionable jumping record will ensure his jockey will be focussing on getting around in one piece rather than winning this great race. * 1 star
37	614U49		Any Currency	66/1		10	10-0	Martin Keighley	Ian Popham	134
A solid jumper and stamina should not be an issue for this ten year old. His best run was a fourteen length defeat by Monbeg Dude at Cheltenham and his recent run at the festival was only a moderate effort. If he does get in the race he will only have 10 stone to carry but I think that this will still be to much to ask** 2 stars
40	023P25		Viking Blond	80/1		8	9-11	Nigel Twiston-Davies	Adam Wedge	131
The third runner in the line up for the popular trainer, only three wins in this 8 year olds career and none of them over more than three miles. His last win was a couple of years ago and he only got as far as the first fence in last years race. Adam Wedge takes the ride but he will be happy simply to improve on last years run, when he has got around at Aintree he has been beaten on average over 70 lengths. * 1star
30	63PP45		Becauseicouldntsee	80/1		10	10-6	N F Glynn	Martin Ferris	140
I certainly can’t see this horse making the frame, the ten year old has not won since 2010 and he won’t be breaking that trend any time soon. He has twice failed to cope with the Aintree fences and it would take a leap of faith to think things are going to change this time around. * 1 star
33	1133FP		Mumbles Head	150/1		12	10-4	Peter Bowen	Jamie Moore	138
Recent form can be ignore as Mumbles Head’s last to appearances have been in heavy ground. He has won five times over three miles so the distance should not be an issue. Age has to be the major concern as Mumbles Head is now twelve and I am happy to look elsewhere. * 1 star
36	P11420		Tarquinius	80/1		10	10-2	Gordon Elliott	Wilson Renwick	136
The ten year old was favourite to win over 3 miles at Naas last time out but ran to too badly  to be true and you would be better taking note of his 10-length defeat of Jolily the time before. Gordon Elliott paid just over £3000 for this horse so he owes his connections nothing. He would prefer some cut underfoot to see his best but may be a decent long shot if he gets into the race at around 50/1. ** 2stars
38	P-265P		Major Malarkey	100/1		10	9-13	Nigel Twiston-Davies	Tom Scudamore	133
You have to question the resolution of a horse hat has pulled up as many times as Major Malarkey has, you can’t sulk your way around Aintree and expect to win, He has not really put a decent performance in for some time now and can be passed over quiet easily. In fact if you pull out this horse in the work sweep stake, ask to pick again. * 1 star
So that completes my Grand National preview for 2013 and barring a massive change in ground conditions I am happy with my final three selections. Whatever you do decide to bet on this week always ensure you obtain value, prices tend to drift out a little on the day and there will be many bookmakers paying down to five or even six places if you decide to go each-way. Many bookmakers will also be offering you free bets, so shop around. You can follow me on Twitter @ProlificRUK for regular updates and additional selections.

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