Bristol De Mai heads a maximum field of 40 in the Randox Grand National — but the strongly-fancied Secret Reprieve is only a second reserve at this stage.
Trained by Evan Williams, Secret Reprieve won the Welsh National in December and has been kept fresh in the hope of a crack at the world’s greatest steeplechase on Saturday.
However, it has been touch and go whether he would make the cut or not – and as only The Storyteller was not declared at the 48-hour stage, Secret Reprieve’s connections are still sweating.
Should there be any non-runners before 1pm on Friday, the reserve system will come into play.
Dan Skelton’s Blaklion was the beneficiary of of The Storyteller’s no-show and creeps in as number 40. The first reserve is John McConnell’s Some Neck, with Kauto Riko third reserve and Fagan the fourth and final one.
Ante-post favourite Cloth Cap will aim to give Trever Hemmings a record fourth win in the race following the successes of Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds – and his trainer Jonjo O’Neill is chasing his second National, having won with Don’t Push It.
After their domination at Cheltenham, the Irish battalion bring a strong team in which Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now is well touted.
Rachael Blackmore enjoyed a dream Festival and aims to top an incredible year on Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Times. The Gold Cup-winning stable is also responsible for Chris’s Dream and Balko Des Flos.
Willie Mullins is without the services of Paul Townend, who suffered an injury at Fairyhouse earlier this week. He is replaced on Burrows Saint by Patrick Mullins.
Danny Mullins rides Acapella Bourgeois, and Brian Hayes is on Class Conti – with Sean O’Keeffe on Cabaret Queen.
Denis O’Regan comes in for the ride on Tony Martin’s Anibale Fly, who has run well in the race twice before and has also twice been placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Leading amateur Jamie Codd rides Milan Native, with Sean Flanagan on Tout Est Permis
Grand National 2021 runners and weights
A maximum of 40 horses will line-up for the race. Here are the entries, allotted weights, owners and trainers.
- Bristol de Mai (FR) 10 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies
- Chris’s Dream (IRE) 9 11 7 Robcour Henry de Bromhead
- Yala Enki (FR) 11 11 3 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls
- Ballyoptic (IRE) 11 11 1 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
- Definitly Red (IRE) 12 11 1 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison
- Lake View Lad (IRE) 11 11 0 Mr Trevor Hemmings N. W. Alexander
- Burrows Saint (FR) 8 10 13 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins
- Magic of Light (IRE) 10 10 13 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington
- Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11 10 12 Slaneyville Syndicate W. P. Mullins
- Talkischeap (IRE) 9 10 12 Charles Dingwall Alan King
- Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 10 12 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade
- Anibale Fly (FR) 11 10 12 Mr John P. McManus A. J. Martin
- Mister Malarky (GB) 8 10 12 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard
- Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 9 10 10 Mr John P. McManus Tom Lacey
- Any Second Now (IRE) 9 10 9 Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh
- Balko des Flos (FR) 10 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead
- Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 11 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
- Ok Corral (IRE) 11 10 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
- Takingrisks (IRE) 12 10 7 Mr Frank Bird Nicky Richards
- Shattered Love (IRE) 10 10 7 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
- Jett (IRE) 10 10 7 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Mrs J. Harrington
- Lord du Mesnil (FR) 8 10 6 Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Richard Hobson
- Potters Corner (IRE) 11 10 6 All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Christian Williams
- Class Conti (FR) 9 10 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins
- Milan Native (IRE) 8 10 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
- Discorama (FR) 8 10 6 Thomas Friel/Andrew Gemmell Paul Nolan
- Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 12 10 5 Prof Caroline Tisdall & Mr John Gent David Pipe
- Cloth Cap (IRE) 9 10 5 Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O’Neill
- Cabaret Queen (GB) 9 10 5 Syndicates.Racing W. P. Mullins
- Minellacelebration (IRE) 11 10 5 Mr Nick Elliott Katy Price
- Canelo (IRE) 8 10 4 Mr John P. McManus Alan King
- The Long Mile (GB) 7 10 4 Mr John P. McManus J.P.Dempsey
- Give Me A Copper (IRE) 11 10 4 Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Paul Nicholls
- Farclas (FR) 7 10 3 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
- Minella Times (IRE) 8 10 3 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead
- Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 12 10 3 Ms G. Howell Georgie Howell
- Hogan’s Height (IRE) 10 10 3 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan’s Height Jamie Snowden
- Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 10 2 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George
- Ami Desbois (FR) 11 10 2 The Reserved Judgment Partnership Graeme McPherson
- Blaklion (GB) 12 10 2 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton
Top reserves
- Some Neck (FR) 10 10 1 Some Neck Partnership John McConnell
- Secret Reprieve (IRE) 7 10 1 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams
- Deise Aba (IRE) 8 9 13 Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs
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The 14 leading contenders assessed
Cloth Cap – Rampantly progressive this season, winning his last two starts in taking fashion. However, showed a tendency to jump left last time out and needs to iron that out in this big field; each-way chance.
Burrows Saint – Winner of the 2019 Irish Grand National who has been kept relatively lightly-raced since. Looks well in at the weights still; the one to beat.
Any Second Now – Steps up a full 18 furlongs in distance having won over 2 miles last time out. Previous smart winner over 3m2f. Chance at weights but will do well to win.
Minella Times – In the form of his life and has form figures of 1122 when teaming up with Rachael Blackmore (who rides again here). Stamina a small query; each-way chance nevertheless.
Kimberlite Candy – Runner-up on both starts over National fences. Stamina assured but surely needs a lot of rain to be considered a leading contender here. Place chance.
Discorama – Not sighted since November and has been the subject of a significant gamble over the last few days. Stamina assured and looks on a good weight; poised to go very close here.
Magic Of Light – 2nd to Tiger Roll in the 2019 renewal at a huge price. Been lightly campaigned over fences since and is respected to a degree off a 5lb higher mark.
Potters Corner – More than capable on his day, but arguably a much better horse on heavy ground, which he looks unlikely to get here. Looks a place chance at best unless there is heavy rainfall.
Bristol De Mai – 3-time winner of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. Goes best on soft ground. Class act who looks a place chance at the head of the weights.
Farclas – Consistent sort who has been in good form of late. However, yet to race beyond 3 miles and does have stamina to prove. If he stays, he can go very close indeed.
Mister Malarky – Has a bit to prove on the stamina front and is arguably better going right-handed. Ground in his favour but has a near career-high mark to defy. Place chance at best.
Anibale Fly – Grand old stayer whose four runs at 3m2f+ have been the four best performances of his career. Rating has tumbled over the last two years. Interesting contender.
Acapella Bourgeois – Gave Burrows Saint 6lb and a 4¾ length beating back in February. However, goes best on heavy ground and looks unlikely to confirm that form, even in receipt of weight here.
Milan Native – Been a touch hit-and-miss this season; ran okay at the Cheltenham Festival following surgery. Ground might not be ideal here; place chance at best.
