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RUNNERS & RIDERS FOR THE 2004 AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL(The result will also appear here)
THE 2004 MARTELL COGNAC GRAND NATIONAL
Class A, Showcase Handicap, Total Prize Fund £600,000, Aintree, Saturday, April 3, 2004. Four Miles & Four Furlongs (Over the Grand National Course). latest betting>>
Racecard courtesy of BBC Sport
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Christy Roche IRE Conor O'Dwyer
Looks doubtful to stay the trip. Owned by racing tycoon JP McManus.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 40-1
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Jimmy Mangan IRE Barry Geraghty
Landed a £1m gamble by winning the 2003 race, but must shoulder a lot more weight this time.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 22-1
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Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
Gallant grey finished runner-up to Bindaree in 2002 when tiring under big weight. Injury problems since.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 25-1
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Willie Mullins IRE Shay Barry
Disappointing run in Gold Cup does not generate confidence. Would need shock return to form to challenge.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 66-1
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Martin Todhunter Mick Fitzgerald
Decent fourth in the 2002 National. Out of sorts this season, and needs soft ground.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 50-1
6 PU3/-1313 ARTIC JACK 8-11-07
Sue Smith Dominic Elswore
Outside chance on basis of early-season win at Haydock. Trained by Sue
Smith, wife of former showjumper Harvey Smith.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 40-1
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Christy Roche IRE Seamus Durack
Has fallen three times in his career, so could find the daunting National fences tricky.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 33-1
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Tony Martin IRE Timmy Murphy
Controversially banned from 2003 race. Won Irish National in 2001, and late casualty in 2002 Aintree version.
Rating: 8/10. Odds: 14-1
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Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn
Endured barren spell after landing the 2002 National until claiming the Welsh National in December 2003.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 11-1
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Mouse Morris Noel Fehily
Trainer believes the horse will love Aintree despite most of his runs being over half the distance of the National.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 66-1
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Martin Pipe Danny Howard
Difficult mount who does not look the pick of champion trainer's contingent.
Bad stat: No novice has won since 1958.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 25-1
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Henrietta Knight Joe Tizzard
Could only finish 14th at Aintree in 2003. Warwick win in January hinted at better.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 50-1
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Willie Mullins IRE David Casey
Fourth in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and third in the Welsh Grand National. Deserves consideration.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 10-1
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Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Scudamore
Trainer won race in 1998 and 2002. Shardam finished a good second in a Cheltenham race that has proved a pointer to the National.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 16-1
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Edward O'Grady IRE Davy Russell
Capable on his day, he returned to winning ways in Ireland in February when wearing blinkers for the first time.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 33-1
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Jonjo O'Neill Paul Carberry
Decent second in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Thrives on soft ground.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 16-1
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Ginger McCain Graham Lee
Fine third in 2003. Ginger McCain trained Red Rum, and is confident again.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 16-1
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Noel Meade IRE Ross Geraghty
Horse's name inspired by film Fatal Attraction. Has won Irish and Midlands Nationals. Out-of-form recently.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 66-1
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Richard Guest Henry Oliver
Considered a National type by trainer, who won the race as a jockey on Red Marauder in 2001. Needs soft ground.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 40-1
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Venetia Williams James Davies
Last-minute substitute for the withdrawn Red Striker. Fell at the second fence last year.
Rating: 4/10. Odds: 200-1
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Andrew Balding Tony Dobbin
Fourth in 2003 National. Trained by brother of BBC racing presenter Clare Balding.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 25-1
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Francois Doumen FR Thierry Doumen
Respected French trainer has triumphed in the Gold Cup, but best National finish is ninth.
Bad stat: No six-year-old has won the race for 79 years.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 50-1
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Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
Bags of stamina, may lack required pace. Trainer won race 10 years ago with Miinnehoma, owned by comic Freddie Starr.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 9-1
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Conrad Allen Paul Moloney
Owner Terry Ramsden, a renowned gambler, has pledged to give the prize money to under-privileged children in Liverpool if he wins. The kids shouldn't celebrate just yet.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 40-1
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Martin Todhunter Jim Culloty
Capable of running a decent race at good odds, although others have more obvious claims.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 50-1
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Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
Defeated 18 times since last victory back in March 2002.
Bad stat: Trainer's best National finish from 22 runners is fifth. Rating: 5/10. Odds: 50-1
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Jonjo O'Neill Liam Cooper
Owned by Irish tycoon JP McManus, Clan Royal has won twice over the big Aintree fences, and looks ready-made for the National.
Rating: 9/10. Odds: 10-1
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Martin Pipe Rodi Greene
Has fallen and pulled up on only two starts this season. Might have an outside chance on soft ground.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 40-1
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Enda Bolger IRE Richard McGrath
Ran well before falling late on two years ago. Not the likeliest winner.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 66-1
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Martin Pipe Andrew Thornton
Won Atthraces Gold Cup at Sandown in 2002. Has not progressed as expected since then.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 50-1
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Sue Smith Warren Marston
Enjoys the National fences - with a win, third and fourth in the Becher Chase. Age is against him
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 50-1
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Alan King Robert Thornton
In a good run of form this season, although whether his short odds are justified is another matter.
Rating: 6/10. Odds: 12-1
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Martin Pipe Mark Bradburne
Leading point-to-pointer. Looked an interesting contender before a shoddy run at Cheltenham.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 40-1
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Martin Pipe Ollie McPhail
Would be an emotional, if unlikely winner, for ex-Liverpool footballer Emlyn Hughes, who is recovering from brain cancer.
Rating: 3/10. Odds: 200-1
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Martin Pipe Jimmy McCarthy
Twice finished third in the National. A repeat is not on the cards.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 66-1
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Nick Gifford Leighton Aspell
Veteran chaser whose better days are behind him.
Rating: 3/10. Odds: 150-1
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Kim Bailey JP McNamara
Should stay the distance but may well be some way behind.
Rating: 4/10. Odds: 150-1
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Mark Pitman Andrew Tinkler
Appears to have missed his chance when second in 2001. Trainer's mother Jenny won the race twice.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 100-1
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Ferdy Murphy Brian Harding
Inconsistent but has got round in two previous National runs. Trainer's father responsible for Aldaniti's famous win.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 200-1
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Martin Pipe Joey Elliott
The last of champion trainer Martin Pipe's seven contenders. First ride in race for conditional jockey Elliott.
Rating: 4/10. Odds: 150-1