Curtosy of YEE TREE RACING WEBSITE.
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This is my take on all 40 runners in this years
Grand National.
Cloudy Lane
Fancied for last seasons renewal when very well in after a progressive year, finished an honest 6th in the end. Much higher in the weights this term, but that didn’t stop him winning the Peter Marsh at Haydock. Suffered an uncharacteristic fall up at Kelso the last day, not an ideal prep but he is usually a safe jumper and should get around with a clear run. Yard need no introduction where this race is concerned, but this horses best chance of winning was last year and difficult to see him improving on last seasons 6th.
4/10
Chelsea Harbour
Fancied him for last seasons National and he did run very well for a long way last season, just did too much early and didn’t get home. Had a good season again, highlighted by a second in the Thyestes at Gowran Park. Still has a tendency to hit one every now and again and doesn’t look very well handicapped in this. However, should give young Emmet Mullins a great first ride and if settling and surviving the first circuit, he could give his connections something to cheer.
3/10
Snowy Morning
Another to run well in this race last term when finishing third behind, Comply Or Die. And although runner up in the Guinness Gold Cup afterwards at Punchestown, this season has been rather disappointing, he has been making plenty of mistakes and hasn’t been finishing his races. He was runner up in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse latest, a race he was placed in before this last season, a first time tongue tie clearly making a difference. He keeps it on again now, but is higher in the weights.
5/10
Knowhere
Won the Old Roan Chase here at the start of the season, but has produced little since, albeit yard did have a hard time in the middle of the season. The fact is he has had two goes in this and unseated both times. I’m sure connections will be happy to see him get around this time.
2/10
Comply Or Die
Last year’s winner. He was very well in this time last season after winning the Eider up at Newcastle once the weights had been published. Blinkers had made all the difference to him as his career was on the downgrade before they were applied. This season has been very disappointing really, despite his campaign being all about coming back here to defend his crown, he had the headgear back on at Cheltenham the last day and he did run better than in his previous two starts. He is 15lb higher the last seasons race and these fences would need to wake him up a little if he is to be successful again.
5/10
Ollie Magern
Enthusiastic little jumper who loves to front run, and he was recently fifth in the Racing Post Chase off this mark. But, he has plenty of weight for a little man and is tackling these fences for the first time. He will either relish the test or find them to big for him to cope with, the latter for me.
1/10
Stan
Has been a bit of a hit or miss performer this term, but did bolt up in a competitive handicap at HQ on new years day, and did go well at Newbury on penultimate start. He looks a definite non stayer for me and is 6lb wrong at these weights.
1/10
Black Apalachi
One of the most interesting in the line up, fell at the second last season but has improved with the aid of cheekpieces this season. He won the Becher here in November in very testing conditions, a performance he was raised 15lb for. He had a run over timber before winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse latest, a race that has produced a National winner in the past. So he is coming here in great form and he won’t be inconvenienced by better ground, he looks to have the stamina to last home and must have a massive chance.
7/10
Hear The Echo
Was victorious in last seasons Irish National and that alone entitles him to respect here, with that marathon usually being a solid guide to this event. Was kept to timber this season until the weights for this came out and had his prep at Gowran Park in february, was well held when unfortunately unseating his rider two out. That hardly gets you excited and it's well worth noting that he did take a couple of falls as a novice. Has been trained for this though and it all depends how he gets on other the first few fences, as if taking to it looks a certain stayer.
6/10
Preists Leap
Has some solid form to his name, including when beating Black Apalachi on testing ground last season and when winning the Thyestes on his penultimate start. Doesn't look to of been given too much help by thr british handicapper and I don't see him staying this extreme test, he'd also prefer it softer.
2/10
My Will
Has been a wonderful horse down the years and hard to believe he is still only a 9yo. Has run some very creditable races in his time and quite surprising he still only has the one handicap to his name, which was at Cheltenham just over two years ago. Had to miss the whole of last season, but has come back and run two very promising trials for this, 5th both times in the Hennessy and the Gold Cup. Stayed on both times and suggesting he would relish this kind of stamina test, the chosen mount of Ruby Walsh and is nicely weighted. As always with a horse having his first start over these fences, it's all about how he takes to it early on. If he does I'm positive there is a big run in him as long as he can stay out of trouble early.
7/10
Eurotrek
Has an excellent strike rate over fences and won the Becher Chase three years ago, but not seen since pulling up in this in 2007. Has very delicate legs and this world be the greatest training performance of all time should he take this.
2/10
State Of Play
He is probably the most interesting runner in the race, certainly one of the classiest looking ones. He is a former Hennessy winner and also claimed the Charlie Hall back in the autumn at Wetherby, where he returned at christmas when below his best in the Rowland Meyrick. The plus points with him is his proven record on this type of ground and his record in handicaps, You wouldn't think he was a guarenteed stayer on paper, but shapes like a test might suit him. Needs to be fresh so 99 day absence isn't a worry and could go well if liking the fences, certainly looks nicely weighted.
6/10
Big Fella Thanks
Has come a long way in such a short space of time, it wasn't long ago he was struggling to win a novice chase, but he has raised his game since being sent handicapping. He was unlucky to unseat rider when staying on at Kempton over christmas and then went up north to Doncaster to claim the Sky Bet Chase, jumping much better than he had up to that point and looking ready to fulfill his true potential. Ran a blinder in the Racing Post Chase, just found himself struggling to keep up at halfway before staying on strongly. A stamina test will be right up his street, but he is only a novice and inexperience is a slight worry.
7/10
Mon Mome
Went well for a long way in last years National after having a troubled season, but has returned as good as ever this term. Went down to a progressive type, who has since confirmed the form at Haydock on return and then went one better at Cheltenham in december when staying on bravely to beat Star De Mohaison, his first victory in over two years. Was very unfortunate in the Welsh National as he made a mistake early on which lost him all chance and to be fair he did well to get as close as he did in the end. Has been disappointing his last two runs, but this has always been the plan for this relentless galloper who really took to these fences last term and with a full season under his belt this time around, he looks all set to run the race of his life.
9/10
Silver Birch
Won the Welsh National and a Becher Chase when with Paul Nicholls, but finest hour came two years ago when winning the Grand National for his then rookie trainer. He has been very difficult to train since and his prep races just don't inspire confidence, can't see it.
1/10
Butler's Cabin
Former winner of the 4m race at the Festival and the Irish National, proving that stamina is definately his main attribute, but has a tendency to look very lethargic at times. Was still in with a shout when coming down at Bechers second time last year, although it was still to early to say he would of won. Early season form was hardly encouraging but went well for a long way in the Kim Muir at the Festival and ended up not being beaten far, the choice of the champ, who is still to win this great race, and although I think this lad has a chance, I don't think he is good enough to win.
6/10
Offshore Account
Highly progressive novice two seasons ago, who was very fortunate to win a Grade 1 at Punchestown. Only had the two runs last term, unseating in his only one over fences and has again been restricted to the one outing this term, which was again over hurdles last month. Hasn’t jumped a fence in public for well over a year and although he has plenty of stamina in his veins, others look far more solid.
2/10
Parsons Legacy
Has been a very consistent handicapper down the years and has proven stamina on his side. Third in the Scottish National two seasons ago on very similar ground is encouraging, but he was pulled up when last seen in December, now obvious he’s wellbeing has to be taken on trust after that. But there is every reason to believe yard will of done enough with him at home, usually a very sound jumper and conditions should prove ideal for him, Will be up there from the outset and if taking to it, has a good chance of making the frame.
8/10
Reveillez
Has won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals in the past, as well as a second in the Betfred at Sandown all for, James Fanshawe. Returned from a two year break this season and hasn’t set the world alight but, no doubt he’d of needed both outings and is now back on favored ground, no forlorn hope in first time cheekpieces.
3/10
Fundamentalist
Looked a potential superstar in both novice careers but that hasn’t materialized since. Got no further than the third last season and even if he does got over it this time, he simply won’t stay 4m4f. Very strong traveler who will have you excited before the petrol runs out.
1/10
Golden Flight
Former prolific winner in native France, who has only had the one outing for powerful Lambourn yard in two years. Well beaten in the William Hill at Cheltenham and very hard to know how much ability remains. Looks a thorough stayer, but hard to fancy.
1/10
L’Ami
Former class act on his day, although his winning record his shockingly bad for a horse with the ability he possess. Has been transferred in Cross Country races since joining Enda Bolger and has twice been second in those events at Cheltenham. Record in this race is poor and even if he is a rejuvenated character this season, I just don’t think he likes the place.
2/10
Battlecry
Felt he was in for a good year after his solid novice campaign last season, but that hasn’t been the case. Has struggled in both handicap starts this side of Christmas and although having the scope to see out the trip, I think he’ll be doing it in his own time.
3/10
Cornish Sett
I doubt there is another horse in the line up that can boast to having two National winners in their family, unlike this guy. Has looked back to something like his best this term, battling bravely to win the Badger Ales at Wincanton and then ran on from the clouds to grab second in the Welsh National in December. Has to put a poor run at Haydock in February behind him but, went well for a long way in this twelve months ago without usual blinkers on, has the help fitted this time around and if in the mood, don’t rule out another good run.
8/10
Fleet Street
Hasn’t been easy to train down the years, but is more than useful when sound. Won from the front over 3m at Christmas at Kempton but beaten in better race there in February. Has plenty to prove, especially over this trip.
1/10
Musica Bella
I’d be lying if I said I had any idea about this lads form in his native France. What I can say is he has never won over what you’d call a trip and I reckon their clutching at straws in this.
1/10
Can’t Buy Time
Has looked highly progressive since winning a shocking novice handicap at Southwell in October, highlighted by his effortlessly victory at Sandown in january. Went up 13lb for latter win and went to Cheltenham well fancied for the 4m, traveled beautifully all the way before failing to get up the hill. Stamina is again the worry over this marathon trip but, quicker ground might just help him a tad and no surprise if he was to finish in the first half dozen.
6/10
Darkness
Hasn’t always been the most convincing of jumpers, but has never hit the deck and to be fair has never looked like taking a fall either. Very good novice back in the day, winning the Feltham at Sandown when it looked a most unlikely outcome. Had to have two years off after suffering an injury in the Scottish National in that year, but has looked good since returning. Ran a brave race at Haydock on return and can be excused poor effort in the Welsh National, before being handed the race at Newbury latest. Yard had old Mely Moss second in this a few years ago and has cheekpieces fitted today. Will be up there from the off and should stay on paper, big chance.
8/10
Irish Invader
Has progressed throughout the year, but his last five wins have all been over 2m (or slightly further) on bad ground. This looks too big an ask for him and Paul Townend, who is having his first ride in the race.
1/10
Rambling Minster
Has always been a good horse, but has looked to improve again this season and comes in to the race in the form of his life. Has gradually progressed from race to race and has won his last two, at Cheltenham on new years day and again in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock in February. Jumping is the name of the game and none jump better than this guy, he stays well and is likely to see out the trip on this ground. His not getting any younger, but has a handy weight and can’t be ruled out.
7/10
Southern Vic
Was a Graded winner over trips between 2m to 3m as a novice, but seems happier over further these days. Unseated rider at the Canal Turn in the Becher Chase (second time) in November, jumped well in first time blinkers at Naas the last day, but just ran too free in them and they are sensibly left off today. Has the 2006 winning jockey, Slippers Madden in the plate but still has a bit to find for me.
3/10
Kilbeggan Blade
A thorough stayer from a yard that have had a fantastic season whatever happens here. This lad has been mostly campaigned over hurdles this term to protect his handicap mark, infact the only time he has run over fences was to defend his Marathon Chase crown at Sandown in December. Has won on all types of ground conditions and will be up in the mix from the outset, man on his back knows his way around here and will definitely make the first dozen home.
6/10
Brooklyn Brownie
Northern based handicapper who had his first taste of these fences behind the ill-fated Endless Power in the Grand Sefton in November, staying on from out the back. Was kept off the track until the Saturday after Cheltenham and winning up at Wetherby on good ground. He is 6lb higher than last November, but with the longer trip likely to bring out further improvement, that won’t be enough to stop him running a sound race here. Might not be good enough to win, but he is fresh and ticks plenty of boxes and I'm sure he is capable of running a fine race.
8/10
Himalayan Trail
Very lightly raced for his age, but that didn’t stop him winning the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last spring when in the care of, Sue Smith. Picked up by new connections for a tidy sum, but yet to prove worth and has a few questions to answer. On the plus side, yard won the race back in 2003 and he has his ground for the first time since Uttoxeter.
3/10
Arteea
Formerly a few nice horse in Ireland for Michael Hourigan. Showed nothing on first start for new connections/in thirteen months in the Kim Muir last month.
1/10
Cerium
Former Arsenal star, Liam Brady owned part of him when trained at Ditcheat. Shown nothing this year and wouldn’t be staying the trip in a horsebox.
0/10
Idle Talk
Hasn't always been the most reliable when it comes to jumping, but to be honest I believe he is a very good jumper, just been unlucky a few times. This season he has been in great form and his latest effort up at Doncaster was solid enough. He is running off the same mark as last year when finishing 14th, I can see him getting around again, but I don't think it'll be at the business end.
2/10
Kelami
It was only fourteen months ago he was runner up in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton, form has dropped like a pebble through water since then, though. Has failed to get around in two tries and I doubt he'll be making it third time lucky here.
1/10
Zabenz
Has won on three different continents and used to love bowling along in front, but only been seen in points recently. Clearly been difficult to train and was pulled up in these on only try, hard to fancy now aged 12.
2/10
My Prediction
1st [iMon Mome[/i
2nd [iBrooklyn Brownie[/i
3rd [iDarkness[/i
4th [iParsons Legacy[/i
5th [iCornish Sett[/i
I hope you put a few quid on that James 
