THE FIRST 10 JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL FACTFILES FROM AINTREE SATURDAY APRIL 10th 2010

BIG FELLA THANKS (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Primitive Rising (USA) - Nunsdream (Derrylin)
8-10-12 Form: 112/322U136-2U1 Owner: Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: R J Wilding
Big Fella Thanks
Big Fella Thanks was named by part-owner Harry Findlay after his favourite greyhound, who won the National Coursing Derby at Clonmel in 1999. The
Primitive Rising gelding made two appearances in Irish point-to-points for Liam Burke, beating stablemate Herecomesthetruth in a Carrigtwohill maiden
in February, 2007, and coming a neck second in a winner of one at Ballyragget the following month. He joined the Ditcheat yard of Paul Nicholls soon after
and made his UK debut in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in January, 2008, when he beat Buck The Legend by 10 lengths. He followed up with another
convincing success under a penalty later the same month, taking a novices’ hurdle at Taunton by nine lengths, despite idling in front, and finished his first
campaign with a good second in an Ayr handicap hurdle in mid-April. Big Fella Thanks began the 2008/09 season in a beginners’ chase at Chepstow in
October, making most of the running prior to being headed near the line by Wichita Lineman and West End Rocker. He also tired in the closing stages on
his next appearance at Cheltenham in November, when coming home second to Ballyfitz, and the application of blinkers appeared not to have the desired
effect in a beginners’ chase at Taunton on his next appearance the following month, when Big Fella Thanks was collared near the line by Itsa Legend.
Further disappointment followed in a handicap chase at Kempton’s Christmas meeting, as he unseated Christian Williams at the third last. Big Fella Thanks
finally opened his account over fences in the Listed Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January, 2009, when he produced a far more confident round of jumping
to take the lead three fences out before staying on well to win by 11 lengths. Following such an impressive display, Big Fella Thanks was sent off a warm
7/2 favourite for the Grade Three Racing Post Chase at Kempton the following month but could not catch the front-running Nacarat and eventually stayed
on to take third behind the Tom George-trained chaser and Possol. He then lined up in the John Smith’s Grand National and ran a good race to finish sixth,
beaten 23 lengths, behind Mon Mome. The current season began with a second behind Carruthers in a graduation chase at Newbury in December, while
he unseated Ruby Walsh two out in a similar event at Kempton in February. He regained the winning thread last time out when landing the Grade Three
Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury on March 6.
Race Record: Starts: 13; Wins: 5; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £122,327
Paul Barber and Margaret Findlay
Paul Barber’s family have farmed near Ditcheat since the 1830s and he oversees a 2,000-strong dairy herd on 3,000 acres, having started with 150 cows
on 150 acres that now produce 45 tonnes of cheese daily for Barbers and Maryland Farmhouse Cheese, run by Paul’s brother Nicholas. Paul - who has
been allergic to cheese since the age of five - was born on December 31, 1942, on the kitchen table in the house where he still lives, stating “I’ve never
thought about living elsewhere” and despite no family involvement with racing, has been an owner since his purchase in 1958 of a horse that cost £450 and
had to be paid for in instalments. He has never owned a Flat horse and his first winner was Crazy Slave, who scored in 1963. The best horse he has been
involved with is the 2008 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman, who also finished runner-up in the same race in 2009 and 2010. Other top-class
horses he has owned include the 1999 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business. He paid £82,000 for Denman and refuses to pay over
the odds for a horse after being stung when making a couple of expensive purchases following See More Business’s success. “Back then I bought a couple
of horses which to my mind cost too much money. One thing all horses have in common are that they are bloody expensive,” he said . Others who have
carried his colours include See More Indians, who won eight races out of 14, and the John Thorne-trained Artifice. Barber owns Nicholls’s Manor Farm
Stables, initially converted from a cow shed, and his house overlooks Denman’s stable. Many of his best performers have had an initial grounding in
point-to-points, either with Liam Burke in Ireland or Barber’s brother Richard at Seaborough in Dorset. Barber’s partner in many of his horses is professional
gambler Harry Findlay. Denman, like many of Findlay’s horses, runs in the name of his mother Margaret, like his late father a former nurse from Glasgow.
The London-born Findlay, who lives near Bath, is a one-time greyhound trainer who is now best known as a fearless high-stakes punter on sports and racing.
He is a regular winner of the Tote’s Scoop 6 bet and specialises in long odds-on bets on Betfair but met his biggest reverse when losing £2.7 million after
backing New Zealand to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He met Paul Barber at Doncaster sales and the duo have teamed up to own a number of jump
horses who - apart from Denman - include Racing Post Chase winner Gungadu, Desert Quest, who landed the 2006 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap
Hurdle and Big Fella Thanks, named after his best greyhound.
John Smith’s Grand National Record (Paul Barber): 1996 Deep Bramble (PU bef 29th); 1998 General Crack (PU bef 11th), 2009 Big Fella Thanks
(6th) (for Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay)
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, 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. He 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 Far, initially with just eight horses. 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, being responsible for 148
winners and gaining over £2.4 million in prize money. He retained the title the next season with 124 successes and nearly £2,950,000 in prize money. The
hugely talented Kauto Star was the stable's flag-bearer, with victories in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, Sandown's
Tingle Creek Chase, the King George VI Chase at Kempton, Newbury's AON Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star thus became the
first horse to land the Betfair Million, the huge bonus then put up by the leading betting exchange for success in the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase
and totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the 2007/08 season, Kauto Star was runner-up in the Gold Cup but Nicholls also trained his conqueror, the mighty
Denman, and ended up champion trainer again with 151 winners and over £3.6 million in prize money. In the 2008/09 season, Nicholls was champion again
with his best tally yet of 155 winners and just under £3.5 million in prize money. That season, Kauto Star landed a third King George VI Chase and became
the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup when defeating Denman by 13 lengths. Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three
seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card,
at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another 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 in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother
Champion Chase and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained 27 Cheltenham Festival winners in
total, making him the fifth most successful trainer at The Festival of all time, and he was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006,
2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2009, as well as Kauto Star’s triumph, he saddled Master Minded to a second win in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother
Champion Chase, while Big Buck’s captured the staying hurdlers’ crown when winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Other highlights at The Festival so
far include Azertyuiop’s victories in The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase. His feat in 2009 of
saddling the winners of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup had
only been achieved once before (by Jim Dreaper in 1975). This season Denman landed a second Hennessy Gold Cup under top-weight, while Kauto Star
became the first horse to win the King George VI Chase for a fourth consecutive year. However, the trainer was unable to land the totesport Cheltenham
Gold Cup this year, with Kauto Star falling four out and Denman finishing second to Imperial Commander. Master Minded was also unable to retain his
Champion Chase crown, finishing only fourth, but Big Buck’s did win a second consecutive Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
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)


BLACK APALACHI (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Old Vic - Hatton’s Dream (IRE) (Be My Native (USA))
11-11-06 Form: 1/20136100/4131660/0P050/564420F2/P151U-02 Owner: Gerard Burke
Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Breeder: Thomas Hatton
Black Apalachi
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 he 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 failed to 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 behind 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 last
year’s John Smith’s Grand National he was still leading the field when unseating Denis O’Regan at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit.
He has been given a quiet preparation ahead of this year’s John Smith’s Grand National. After finishing unplaced in a handicap hurdle
at Leopardstown in January, he chased home his stablemate and fellow John Smith’s Grand National aspirant Vic Venturi in the Grade
Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 20.
Race Record: Starts: 36; Wins: 7; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £256,472
Gerard Burke
Gerard Burke, from Oranmore, 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 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. Since getting out of the farming business, Gerard has been
speculating in property.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd)
Dessie Hughes IRE
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 the diminutive Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. 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 Dessie enduring several years of poor form, but the yard
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 to win the Smurfit Kappa 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 win
in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House became
another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown.
More recently, Schindlers Hunt has emerged as another superstar, 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. Dessie also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner
on nine consecutive racing days over the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd)


COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Old Vic - Madam Madcap (Furry Glen)
11-11-05 Form: 11214/1211F2P6/4P//0P211/P002-00 Owner: David Johnson
Trainer: David Pipe Breeder: Martin Dibbs
Comply Or Die
Originally trained by David’s father Martin, Comply Or Die posted an easy victory on his racecourse debut in a novices’ hurdle at Chepstow in October, 2003.
After another comfortable win in a similar event, Comply Or Die stepped up to Graded company and followed a good second in the Grade Two Persian War
Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow with a convincing three-length victory in the Grade Two Tripleprint Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, 2003. A good
first season finished with a sound fourth behind Fundamentalist in the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March,
2004. Having started his chasing career with a victory at Bangor and a second behind Ollie Magern at Cheltenham, Comply Or Die took the spoils in the
Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in November, 2004. He returned to the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2005, finishing second to
Trabolgan in the Grade One RSA Chase, before being pulled up in the Scottish Grand National the following month. He finished the 2004/05 season with
a creditable sixth in the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown. He began his second season chasing with a good fourth, again behind Trabolgan, in the Grade Three
Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Comply Or Die’s season was cut short after suffering a setback in the Coral Welsh National, and it was nearly two years
before he saw a racecourse again. Lining up in a handicap chase at Cheltenham in October, 2007, Comply Or Die lacked race sharpness and finished a
weary 16th. The gelding also disappointed on his next run when pulled up in the Grade Three Servo Computers Services Trophy Handicap Chase at
Cheltenham the following month. The application of blinkers produced a better display in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock in December,
and Comply Or Die ran his best race for some time when finishing second behind Cloudy Lane. Racing over a marathon extended four miles in the totesport
Eider Chase at Newcastle in February, Comply Or Die showed that he would have the stamina necessary for the John Smith’s Grand National with a brilliant
eight-length victory, despite being burdened with top-weight. Then sent off 7/1 joint favourite for the world’s greatest chase at Aintree, Comply Or Die
produced a near faultless display of jumping under regular pilot Timmy Murphy, taking the lead at the penultimate fence before staying on after the elbow
to record a four-length victory over Irish raider King Johns Castle. The 2008/09 season began with another crack at the Servo Computers Services Trophy
Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November but he produced a lacklustre display without the blinkers and was pulled up. Comply Or Die returned to the
Cotswold course the following month for the Listed Boylepoker.com Handicap Chase but, racing again without headgear, he finished a distant 11th behind
subsequent National winner Mon Mome. The blinkers returned for Comply Or Die’s final run prior to last year’s John Smith’s Grand National at the
Cheltenham Festival on March 10, when he produced his best performance of the campaign to be seventh behind Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Trophy
Chase. The return to Aintree duly transformed Comply Or Die as he beat all bar Mon Mome, going down by 12 lengths. This season he has run twice,
finishing down the field in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November and 13th in the William Hill Handicap Chase at the same course on March 16.
Race Record: Starts: 26; Wins: 8; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: £798,005
David Johnson
David Johnson’s is a self-made entrepreneur. 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 business. In 2001 he sold his company J & J Securities, which employed 1,000 people,
for £216 million and is now CEO of Commercial First, which he set up in the autumn of 2002. 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 Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham. In latter years he has bought 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 when collecting over £725,000 in prize money, in
2002/3 with over £917,000, in 2003/4 when his earnings topped £924,000 and in 2004/5 with over £1.77 million. 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, including a brace in this year - Great Endeavour and
Poker De Sivola. 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)
David Pipe
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 Sunderlands 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. Further big-race successes in the 2007/08 season came courtesy of Tamarinbleu who
gained both the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December and Ascot's Victor Chandler Chase the following month. David completed a brace
of wins at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008 with An Accordion prevailing in the William Hill Trophy alongside Our Vic's Ryanair Chase triumph, while
Ashkazar captured the Imperial Cup at Sandown and old favourite Lough Derg carried off the Grade One BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. The trainer ended
his second season with 100 winners and almost £2.5 million in prize money to his name, placing him second behind Paul Nicholls in the trainers'
championship. Last season, David consolidated his position as one of the country's leading trainers, with Madison Du Berlais' victories in the Hennessy
Cognac Gold Cup and the Levy Board Chase at Kempton being the highlights, while the current season has seen further success at the Cheltenham
Festival, with two winners (Buena Vista & Great Endeavour) plus the Grade Two victories of Our Vic, Seven Is My Number and Mamlook.
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)



MON MOME (FR) FACTFILE
Passing Sale (FR) - Etoile Du Lion (FR) (New Target)
10-11-07 Form: 7U36245/U2121121U/422434/P3609/2182781-P3463 Owner: Vida Bingham
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Aidan Coleman Breeder: Alexandre Deschere
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 tremendous folklore. Mon Mome, whose
name means ‘My Kid', had just one run in his native France, finishing second in a Flat race at Pontivy. Bought by Vida Bingham, the horse'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 2004/05
season, all novices’ or maiden hurdles, without breaking his duck. Mon Mome unseated his rider at the third fence on his chase debut at Cheltenham in
October, 2005, but with that aberration behind him, he set about compiling an impressive sequence of results. In his next seven races, Mon Mome registered
four wins and three seconds. The wins - at Uttoxeter, Plumpton, Fontwell and Aintree - came on ground that was easy or softer. The last of those wins was
at the 2006 John Smith's Grand National meeting in the John Smith’s Novices' Handicap Chase, under amateur Will Biddick. Mon Mome unseated his jockey
in the four mile one furlong Scottish National at Ayr on his final start of that season. Consistency was the name of the game in 2006-2007, with the horse
placing 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 finishing 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 William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival and again the horse acquitted
himself well, finishing fourth, eight lengths behind the winner. In the 2007/08 season he did not reappear until February, when he was pulled up in the Country
Gentlemen's Association Chase at Wincanton. Ten days later, he contested a hurdle at Folkestone and, 36lb lower than his chase rating, was made
favourite. He was tapped for toe and could only finish third. On the agenda for the second successive year was the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham
Festival, but he did not match the fourth place of a year earlier, plugging on for sixth, over 20 lengths behind the winner An Accordion. 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. He ended the campaign
at Ayr in the Scottish Grand National, coming home ninth. 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 at Cheltenham in December, when he was successful in the lucrative Boylepoker.com
Handicap Chase by half a length from Star De Mohaison. 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 the Blue Square Gold Cup 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. His next start came in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham on December
12. Sent off a 20/1 shot, he stayed on nicely to take third, just over 10 lengths behind Tell Massini. Both of Mon Mome’s next two outings came at Haydock
Park - on January 23 he was a staying on fourth to Our Vic in the Peter Marsh Chase and followed up that effort on February 20 with a sixth place in the
valuable Blue Square Handicap Chase. He warmed up perfectly for a second attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National when staying on to be an excellent
third in the Grade One totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 19, coming from way off the pace finish 30 lengths behind Imperial Commander.
Race Record Starts: 39; 1st: 6; 2nd: 8; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £747,825
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 acquisition, a French-bred filly bought with her Grand National
winnings, is currently out of action. 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)
Venetia Williams
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. Her first Cheltenham
Festival win came courtesy of Samakaan in the 2000 Grand Annual Challenge Cup, while Idole First won the 2005 Coral Cup and the 2007 Racing Post
Plate. In 2009, Williams enjoyed a further two successes at the Cheltenham Festival, courtesy of Kayf Aramis in the Pertemps Final and Something Wells
in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate. She has also enjoyed success at Aintree with the likes of Edelweis Du Moulin (1999 totesport Handicap Chase),
Montalcino (2001 Citroen C4 Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Spring Margot (2002 John Smith's Novices' Handicap Chase), Limerick Boy (2003 John Smith's Top
Novices' Hurdle), His Nibs (2004 John Smith's Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle) and Mon Mome (2006 John Smith's Novices' Chase). The last named 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)
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 on October 17.
That victory put him on the fast track to success. Last season he partnered his first Cheltenham Festival winner when Kayf Aramis won the Pertemps Final,
while he has also enjoyed notable success on Stan, Chief Yeoman and Mon Mome. Stan also provided Coleman with his first Aintree Festival triumph when
winning the 2008 renewal of the Red Rum Handicap Chase. His first John Smith’s Grand National attempt saw him complete the course in 10th astride Mon
Mome in 2008. Last year he had the choice of Venetia Williams’ two runners and opted to ride 50/1 Stan, who fell at seventh, rather than his stablemate
Mon Mome who recorded a famous 100/1 triumph. He has partnered Mon Mome on all his five outings this year and will be in the saddle at Aintree.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Mon Mome (10th), 2009 Stan (Fell 7th)



NICHE MARKET (IRE)
9 b g Presenting - Juresse (IRE) (Jurado (USA))
9-11-04 Form: P/2P41dU44P/31481-83529 Trainer: Bob Buckler
Breeder: William Flood Owner: Graham Regan Jockey: Harry Skelton
Niche Market
Niche Market passed the post first on his debut in a maiden point-to-point at Garnons in South Herefordshire in March, 2006, but was
subsequently demoted to second after hanging in the closing stages. He also made an inauspicious racecourse debut for Karen Waldron
that October when being pulled up in a novices’ hurdle at Worcester. Returning to the pointing sphere, Niche Market comfortably landed
a maiden at Barbury Castle in January, 2007, before being bought for £20,000 by current trainer Bob Buckler at Brightwells Cheltenham
April Sale four months later. He made a pleasing start for new connections, taking second in an Exeter beginners’ chase in October, 2007,
but failed win any of his seven subsequent starts, including when being demoted to the runner-up spot for a second time in his career in
a novice chase at Exeter. The highlight of his first chasing season came with an excellent fourth behind Old Benny in the National Hunt
Chase at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival and he returned to Prestbury Park seventh months later for his first start of the 2008/09 campaign,
coming home third in a graduation chase in November, 2008. He built on that effort the following month, gamely holding off Monkerhostin
to triumph in a Listed handicap chase at Ascot but failed to live with Madison Du Berlais, Denman and Albertas Run when coming fourth
in the Grade Two Levy Board Chase in February, 2009. After taking eighth on his second successive appearance in the National Hunt
Chase at Cheltenham, Niche Market ended his season with the biggest success of his career so far when beating Church Island by two
lengths in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Niche Market once again showed the benefit of a run this season, coming eighth on his
seasonal return in a Listed handicap chase at Wincanton in November prior to posting a far better effort three weeks later to take third
behind Denman and What A Friend in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He returned to the Berkshire course for his next two starts with
two contrasting efforts, fading to come home last in a graduation chase in December before going down by a short-head to Tricky Trickster
in the Grade Two AON Chase in February. On his most recent start, Niche Market contested the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham
Festival on March 16, when he made much of the running before fading in the closing stages to finish ninth behind Chief Dan George.
Race Record: Starts: 19; Wins: 2; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 2; Win and Place Prize Money: £227,846
Graham Regan
Born and bred in Blackrock, Co Dublin, Graham Regan grew up next to Leopardstown racecourse, which inspired his passion for racing.
He moved to London in 1989 to work in the City, making his fortune from derivatives, and now divides his time between the capital and
his family home in Burrow Bridge, Somerset. Regan made his first foray into racehorse ownership with trainer Paul Webber after a
colleague introduced the pair, but the partnership enjoyed a less than fruitful start as Battling Buster was tailed off on his racecourse debut
in a Sandown bumper in March, 2002. Regan preferred to have horses trained nearer to his Somerset base and he sent two horses to local
handler Simon Burrough, enjoying a first success when No Sam No, who triumphed in an amateur’s riders’ handicap at Worcester in
August, 2004. Regan switched his horses to Bob Buckler in 2005 and the pair have gone on to great success, primarily with the 2009 Irish
Grand National victor Niche Market. The nine-year-old is currently Regan’s only horse in training and he has reportedly turned down several
large offers for his chaser.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: No previous runners
Bob Buckler
Born on December 10, 1954, Robert Hamilton Buckler, more commonly known as Bob, moved to Dorset in 1984, becoming resident farmer
of 500-acre Melplash Court Farm near Bridport. Despite spending most of his time looking after his farm, Buckler started riding and training
on the local point-to-point circuit for himself and friends, including his neighbour, subsequent Tote chairman Peter Jones. In total he rode
37 winners, with the highlight being victory on Buckhorn in a Hunters’ Chase at Ascot in April, 1990. Buckler’s career under Rules began
with ex-pointers in 1991 and he celebrated his first winner when Aviation Support won a Newton Abbott handicap chase on August 3. He
saddled four winners in the 1991/92 season, but he shot to prominence with Carbonate, who landed a brace of handicap chases in
January, 1993. Buckler took out his full licence in 1994 and he continued to impress with his limited number of horses, enjoying his first
major success when See Enough landed the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle in February, 1996. Miss Diskin triumphed in a handicap chase
at the 1998 Punchestown Festival and took second in the Grade Two Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the same course just 48 hours later.
Although enjoying numerous big-race successes from his Melplash Court Farm, Buckler’s horses spent several years suffering form viruses
and in the summer of 2008 he moved his string to brand new facilities nearby at Higher Peckmoor, which he leases from Jeremy Barber
(son of leading point-to-point trainer Richard). Buckler is no stranger to success over Aintree’s Grand National fences, having sent out I
Hear Thunder to victory in the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase in November, 2006, while he has also been victorious in the Irish
Grand National with Niche Market, who took the spoils in the Fairyhouse feature in April, 2009. Apart from Niche Market, his most notable
performer this season has been The Sawyer, who won a valuable handicap chase at Ascot in January and followed up seven days later
with victory in the Grade Three Silver Trophy at Cheltenham. Buckler’s daughter Carey rides in point-to-points and she won the Princess
Royal Trophy, awarded to the top novice female rider, in May, 2006.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: No previous runners
Harry Skelton
Born on September 20, 1989, Harry Skelton is the son of legendary showjumper Nick, who himself 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 has already surpassed last season’s tally of 27 winners
this term and his biggest victory of the campaign so far has been on the Nicholls-trained Beshabar, who romped to an eight-length success
in the Grade Three Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in February.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: No previous rides



SNOWY MORNING (IRE) FACTFILE
b g Moscow Society (USA) - Miss Perky (IRE) (Creative Plan (USA))
10-10-13 Form: 121121124-F113332-56F20-61103223 Owner: Quayside Syndicate
Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Breeder: Philip Morrissey
Snowy Morning
A winner of nine of his 29 starts under Rules, Snowy Morning has rarely finished out of the frame. The son of Moscow Society - who also
won two of his six starts in point-to-points - was successful on his first racecourse appearance, winning a bumper at Ballinrobe by a shorthead
in May, 2006. Following a good second on his first start over hurdles at Navan later that month, Snowy Morning greeted the judge
in a competitive maiden hurdle at Punchestown in June, and followed up with an impressive 12-length victory on his chase debut at Navan
in December, 2006. After a good second and another victory in low-key chases at Naas and Gowran Park, Willie Mullins let Snowy Morning
take his chance in the Grade Two Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan in February, 2007, when the gelding produced a superb performance
to prevail by four lengths, despite blundering at the penultimate fence. He continued to improve, beating all bar the future Gold Cup winner
Denman in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival the following month. Perhaps feeling the effects of a
long season, Snowy Morning posted a rare under-par display in the Grade One Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival in
April, 2007, finishing a well-beaten fourth. He returned to England the following season and started his campaign as favourite for the
Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in December, but made a terrible error at the seventh fence, giving Tony McCoy no chance of
preventing a fall. Snowy Morning returned to hurdles later that month, winning at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, before producing a solid
display of jumping in the Grade One Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on December 31, finishing third, six lengths behind
the winner The Listener. However, concerns over his jumping resurfaced in the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February 23,
when Snowy Morning made several mistakes and could only finish third behind Afistfullofdollars and stablemate Hedgehunter. His jumping
held up at Aintree next time as he ran a fine race to take third in the John Smith’s Grand National and, on his final start before his summer
break, Snowy Morning filled the runner-up berth behind Neptune Collonges in the Grade One Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. The
gelding’s five outings last term were disappointing by his standards, although he once again negotiated his way around Aintree when ninth
in the John Smith’s Grand National. This season has been brighter, with victories over fences at Killarney and over hurdles at Limerick.
He was unplaced behind Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury but has run with credit on his last four starts, most notably when
an eye-catching third to Tranquil Sea in the Grade Two Newlands Chase over just beyond two miles at Leopardstown on the last day of
February.
Race Record: Starts: 29; Wins: 9 ; 2nd: 8; 3rd: 5; Win & Place Prize Money: £309,369
Quayside Syndicate
The five-strong County Wexford-based Quayside Syndicate, made up of brothers Liam, Michael and Jim Mooney, along with their sister
Phyllis Geraghty and nephew Donal O'Gorman, are somewhat lucky to still own John Smith's Grand National hopeful Snowy Morning. After
selling him for 10,000 guineas at Doncaster in 2004, the Moscow Society gelding was returned to the syndicate. Donal originally bought
Snowy Morning as a three-year-old at the 2003 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale for 25,000 euros, but the other four soon joined him and
the horse won two of his six starts in Irish point-to-points for them. Being from one of the most successful hurling counties in Ireland, the
syndicate's colours were selected to match their respective local GAA clubs of Rathnure and Adamstown. Donal previously enjoyed
success as an owner, most notably when his Dabiroun landed the 2005 Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham for trainer Paul Nolan.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd), 2009 Snowy Morning(9th)
Willie Mullins IRE Born 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, before taking out a training licence in 1988. He hails from one of
Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of Paddy Mullins, the now retired outstanding all-round trainer, whose most famous star
was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither
Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Cheltenham Festival race in which he has saddled six winners (also Florida
Pearl 1997, Alexander Banquet 1998, Joe Cullen 2000, Missed That 2005 and Cousin Vinny 2008). Mullins saddled Rule Supreme to win
the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival and sent out the same horse to win the Irish Hennessy in 2005. His best
horse to date has been Florida Pearl, who was placed in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the 1998 Royal & SunAlliance 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 totesport Bowl
at Aintree. Mullins, who began training in 1988, has over 100 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, while, as a jockey, his rides included The Ladys
Master, who ran out in 1983, and Hazy Dawn, who fell at the sixth the following year. 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. Mullins 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.
Mullins has trained 17 Cheltenham Festival winners. 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)



STATE OF PLAY (GB) FACTFILE
b g Hernando (FR) - Kaprice (GER) (Windwurf (GER)
10-10-11 Form: 81/5742/411151/164/2560/144-P
Owner: William & Angela Rucker Trainer: Evan Williams Breeder: Roland Lerner
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 at Sandown on December
26, but he 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, 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. 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 on November 1.
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 sound race to take fourth behind Mon
Mome. He has made just one appearance subsequently, pulling up behind Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November
and has been kept fresh for a second attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National.
Race Record: Starts: 23; Wins: 7; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: £277,686
William & Angela Rucker
William Rucker 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.
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 five occasions. Angela herself is also
a talented rider and trains pointers. The Ruckers are based at Himbleton in Worcestershire and 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 2008 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 October, while High Chimes landed the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the
2008 Cheltenham Festival.
John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th)
Evan Williams
Unrelated to the winning jockey of the 1937 Grand National who bears the same name, 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 on the family farm 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. 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
Canon Bridge, who chalked up nine wins in a single campaign. Cath and Evan have three children William, Isabel and Ellie. Williams has
a team of 102 in training this year.
John Smith's Grand National Record: 2009 State Of Play (4th)



THE PACKAGE (GB) FACTFILE
7 br g Kayf Tara - Ardent Bride (Ardross)
7-10-07 Form: 1/2192P/362203-92312 Owner: David Johnson
Trainer: David Pipe Breeder: Barkfold Manor Stud
The Package
Out of a half-sister to the smart two-mile chaser Shamana, The Package was bred in Sussex at Barkfold Manor Stud and purchased for
10,000 euros as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland in November, 2003. Put into training with David Pipe, the gelding made a successful career
debut in a Towcester bumper on April 24, 2007. He kicked off the 2007/2008 season in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow that November,
coming home second to Planet Of Sound. Victory followed before the month was out, in a similar contest over an extended two miles at
Newbury. A disappointing effort on soft ground at Towcester in December preceded a good runner-up finish behind Punchestowns in a
novice hurdle at Sandown in February, 2008, but he was pulled up when tailed off in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival the following
month. The Package was sent novice chasing at the start of the 2008/09 campaign and made a promising debut in that sphere when third
to Poquelin over two miles at Cheltenham in October. Defeats in beginners’ chases followed at Ludlow and Plumpton before a step up
to two and a half miles in the Grade Three totesport.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury in February brought about a marked
improvement. The novice performed admirably against more experienced rivals to finish second behind New Little Bric. He rounded off
that campaign with a pair of defeats in handicap hurdles at Aintree and Cheltenham in April. In the latter, his first attempt at three miles,
brought a close third place finish behind Made In Japan. The 2009/10 season commenced soon after as The Package travelled to Uttoxeter
on May 2, for an extended two and a half-mile handicap hurdle, in which he was ninth. After a summer’s rest, he went to Ludlow on October
15 for a beginners’ chase over two and a half miles but, despite odds of 4/7, he again failed to break his duck over fences. He was then
pitched into the Listed Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton on November 7 and was less than five lengths third to Ellerslie
George in the extended three mile, one furlong contest. Sent to Cheltenham on December 11, The Package scored in fine style, staying
on up the hill to defeat The Tother One by a length in the Listed Neptune Investment Management Chase. The Package’s latest outing
came at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16 when he failed by a head to overhaul Chief Dan George in the Grade Three William Hill
Trophy over an extended three miles.
Race Record: Starts: 17; Wins: 3; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £81,661
David Johnson
David Johnson’s is a self-made entrepreneur. 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 business. In 2001 he sold his company J & J Securities,
which employed 1,000 people, for £216 million and is now CEO of Commercial First, which he set up in the autumn of 2002. 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 Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham. In latter years he has bought 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 when
collecting over £725,000 in prize money, in 2002/3 with over £917,000, in 2003/4 when his earnings topped £924,000 and in 2004/5 with
over £1.77 million. 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, including a brace in this year - Great Endeavour and Poker De Sivola. 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)
David Pipe
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 Sunderlands 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. Further big-race successes
in the 2007/08 season came courtesy of Tamarinbleu who gained both the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December and
Ascot's Victor Chandler Chase the following month. David completed a brace of wins at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008 with An Accordion
prevailing in the William Hill Trophy alongside Our Vic's Ryanair Chase triumph, while Ashkazar captured the Imperial Cup at Sandown
and old favourite Lough Derg carried off the Grade One BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. The trainer ended his second season with 100
winners and almost £2.5 million in prize money to his name, placing him second behind Paul Nicholls in the trainers' championship. Last
season, David consolidated his position as one of the country's leading trainers, with Madison Du Berlais' victories in the Hennessy Cognac
Gold Cup and the Levy Board Chase at Kempton being the highlights while the current season has seen further success at the Cheltenham
Festival, with two winners (Buena Vista & Great Endeavour) plus the Grade Two victories of Our Vic, Seven Is My Number and Mamlook.
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)



TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) FACTFILE
7-11-04 Form: 422121-219 Owner: Chris Giles
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: Donie O’Brien
Tricky Trickster
An 8,500 euros purchase from Fairyhouse as a four-year-old, Tricky Trickster easily won his only point-to-point start for County Wexford
trainer Denis Murphy at Dromahane in County Cork on April 5, 2008. Just 11 days later he was bought by the Million In Mind Partnership
for £40,000 at a Brightwells sale at Cheltenham racecourse, joining Nigel Twiston-Davies. After finishing fourth and second on two novice
hurdle starts, he finished runner-up on his fencing debut in a novices’ handicap chase at Newbury in November, 2008. He returned to the
Berkshire course the following month to win a similar event over three miles before having to settle for second again at Cheltenham on
January 24 last year. He was put away until the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, when he relished a step up in trip for the four miles of the
National Hunt Chase, which he won by 10 lengths under amateur Sam Waley-Cohen. The rider’s father Robert was one of those who tried
to buy Tricky Trickster when offered in Million In Mind’s dispersal at Doncaster in May but it was Paul Nicholls, acting for owner Chris Giles,
who had the successful bid of £320,000. The John Smith’s Grand National has been the aim ever since and the seven-year-old finished
second when reappearing over hurdles at Fontwell on January 24 before - possibly benefiting from stablemate Denman’s fall - winning
the Grade Two AON Chase at Newbury on February 13. He contested the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out but was a wellbeaten
ninth behind Imperial Commander.
Race Record: Starts: 9; 1st: 3; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: £89,884
Chris Giles
Although he’d had horses with Paul Nicholls for a year beforehand, it was at Doncaster’s Spring Sale in May last year that owner Chris
Giles shot to prominence when paying £320,000 for Tricky Trickster from the annual Million In Mind Partnership dispersal. Although now
based at Cobham in Surrey, Giles hails from Scotland where his father Michael founded Giles Insurance Brokers in 1967. Chris Giles, with
his brother Nick, helped grow the company which now employs 1,000 people and places in excess of £300 million in premiums annually.
Although the company was sold for £185 million in February, 2008, Chris Giles is still CEO of its parent company, the Giles Group. Among
the other horses owned by Giles, who was valued at £42 million in the 2009 Sunday Times Rich List, are Red Harbour, winner of the EBF
Novices’ Hurdle Final at Sandown on March 13, and novice chaser Tchicos Polos, who completed a double for the owner at his local track
the same afternoon.
No previous John Smith’s Grand National runners
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, 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. He 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 started out at Paul Barber's Manor Farm with eight horses. 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, being responsible for 148 winners and gaining over
£2.4 million in prize money. He retained the title the next season with 124 successes and nearly £2,950,000 in prize money. The hugely
talented Kauto Star was the stable's flag-bearer, with victories in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park,
Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase, the King George VI Chase at Kempton, Newbury's AON Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Kauto Star thus became the first horse to land the Betfair Million, the huge bonus put up by the leading betting exchange for success in
the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the 2007/08 season, Kauto Star was runner-up in the
Gold Cup but Nicholls also trained his conqueror, the mighty Denman, and ended up champion trainer again with 151 winners and over
£3.6 million in prize money. In the 2008/09 season, Nicholls was champion again with his best tally yet of 155 winners and just under £3.5
million in prize money. That season, Kauto Star landed a third King George VI Chase and became the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup
when defeating Denman by 13 lengths. Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10
runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at
Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another 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 in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname
in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained
27 Cheltenham Festival winners in total, and was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
In 2009, as well as Kauto Star’s triumph, he saddled Master Minded to a second win in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion
Chase, while Big Buck’s captured the staying hurdlers’ crown when winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Other highlights at The Festival
so far include Azertyuiop’s victories in The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
His feat in 2009 of saddling the winners of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the
totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup had only been achieved once before (by Jim Dreaper in 1975). This season Denman landed a second
Hennessy Gold Cup under top-weight, while Kauto Star became the first horse to win the King George VI Chase for a fourth consecutive
year. However, he was unable to land the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup this year, with Kauto Star falling four out and Denman finishing
second to Imperial Commander. Master Minded was also unable to retain his Champion Chase crown, finishing only fourth, although Big
Buck’s did land a second consecutive Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
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)



VIC VENTURI (IRE) FACTFILE
10 ch g Old Vic - Carmen Lady (Torus)
10-11-06 Form: 2/131213/12625P/7205982/5424458-211501 Owner: Seamus Dunne
Trainer: Dessie Hughes IRE Breeder: Mrs P & C Brabazon
Vic Venturi
Vic Venturi emerged as a serious John Smith’s Grand National contender when winning the totesport.com Becher Chase over three and
a quarter miles of the famous Aintree course on November 22. The Old Vic gelding, 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 duly 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 on October 29, 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 on his next outing, the gelding saw off Keenan’s Future by five
lengths. Vic Venturi contested the Grade Two woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle over three miles at Leopardstown on December 28 and
finished a fair fifth to Powerstation. He was then 15th of 19 in a handicap hurdle over the same course and distance on January 23. Vic
Venturi returned to fences for his John Smith’s Grand National preparatory race, the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on February
20. Ridden by Paddy Flood, the 10-year-old won comfortably on the soft ground by eight lengths from stablemate and fellow John Smith’s
Grand National hope Black Apalachi.
Race Record: Starts: 33; Wins: 7; 2nd: 8; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £259,770
Seamus Dunne
Based in Kilkenny, Seamus Dunne owns Kilkenny Electrical Wholesale Limited, the company he established 35 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 his
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 in 2004 he invested in keeping gun dogs. Vic Venturi is the first horse he purchased. He now
has about 10 horses in training including five new recruits on the Flat and three trained in France. He has enjoyed 21 victories as an owner
at a strike-rate of around 20 per cent. 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. The Jessica Harrington-trained 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.
John Smith’s Grand National record: No previous runners
Dessie Hughes IRE
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 the diminutive Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. 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 Dessie enduring several years of poor form, but the yard
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 to win the Smurfit Kappa 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 win
in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House became
another outstanding performer for Hughes, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown.
More recently, Schindlers Hunt has emerged as another superstar, 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. Dessie also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner
on nine consecutive racing days over the 2006 Christmas period. His son Richard is a leading Flat jockey.
John Smith’s Grand National Record: 2008 Black Apalachi (Fell 2nd), 2009 Black Apalachi (UR 22nd)



ENDS