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grand national 2011 /

Smith Pleased With Weights Response But Neptune Defection Disappoints 02/03/11

It is a little over two weeks since Phil Smith, the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping, released the eagerly anticipated weights for the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National.

Tidal Bay
racing-images.co.uk

Plenty of flak can fly in the aftermath of the annual release of the weights for the world’s most famous chase, with some owners and trainers brusquely venting their consternation at Smith’s weighting of a particular horse but, so far, the handicapper’s tin hat and Kevlar vest have been left to gather dust.

Smith revealed today: “The main news is that there is no news. No one has said that they are not happy, which, from a handicapper’s point of view is relieving, but I’m also surprised because you normally get someone who is not happy.”

This year, Smith compressed the top 14 horses in the handicap, allotting horses such as Tidal Bay and Neptune Collonges a rating lower than they would carry in a regular handicap, the theory being that the John Smith’s Grand National, with it’s marathon four and a half-mile distance and unique fences, requires a slightly different approach to its assessment.

Having compressed the weights at the top to encourage a high-class field, Smith is disappointed with the scratching of the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges - t top-weight with 11st 10lb - winner of the Grade Two CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 11-10-04 Patricia Thompson John Quinn

47) 1215/1P/-5 ORNAIS (FR) 9-10-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

48) 00P-234P PIRAYA (FR) 8-10-04 Terry Neill David Pipe

49) PP2/111/- SURFACE TO AIR 10-10-04 Tim Urry Chris Bealby

50) 301050 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR) 11-10-04 Don't Tell Henry Martin Todhunter

51) 0U2F-0P2 ARBOR SUPREME (IRE) 9-10-03 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE

52) 1F3U-P1U FRANKIE FIGG (IRE) 9-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

53) 1P0-053U ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 10-10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

54) 013111- OUR MONTY (IRE) 8-10-03 Colland Sand & Gravel Ltd Willie Mullins IRE

55) P5U-42P ROYAL ROSA (FR) 12-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

56) 0P1-0060 ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 10-10-02 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen

57) 421001 GOLDEN KITE (IRE) 9-10-02 Dr Anthony Calnan Adrian Maguire IRE

58) P1P-41U MEANUS DANDY (IRE) 8-10-02 Mark & Tessa Woodhouse & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls

59) 41/313-01 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE) 10-10-02 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards

60) 1F4/22-1P BELON GALE (IRE) 8-10-01 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

61) 3/402P-0 FAASEL (IRE) 10-10-01 Hush Hush Partnership David Pipe

62) 3P-02043 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 8-10-01 Glass Half Full Richard Lee

63) 0D61-0F MERIGO (FR) 10-10-01 Raymond & Anita Anderson Green Andrew Parker

64) 321112 PUTNEY BRIDGE 9-10-01 Louise Goldsworthy Keith Goldsworthy

65) 256-0216 ASKTHEMASTER (IRE) 11-10-00 Carrolle Wall Robert Tyner IRE

66) 363221- DEV (IRE) 11-10-00 Liam Mulryan Gordon Elliott IRE

67) F123-P22 GILES CROSS (IRE) 9-10-00 KCMS Partnership Victor Dartnall

68) 111U0-66 SADDLERS STORM (IRE) 9-10-00 Billy Moffett/R T & J McLoughlin Tony Martin IRE

69) 11P61/0/- STARZAAN (IRE) 12-10-00 Ben Arbib Hughie Morrison

70) 60U0-60 AMBOBO (USA) 11-9-13 Deirdre Brassil Martin Brassil IRE

71) 05241P DUERS (IRE) 9-9-13 Kate Kelly/Kate Ronan Paul Magnier IRE

72) 31-PP11P SAGALYRIQUE (FR) 7-9-13 Sir Robert Ogden Donald McCain

73) 311120- TOBY JUG 10-9-13 Paul & Caron Chapman & Sarah Humphrey Sarah Humphrey

74) 5/2613-P GALANT NUIT (FR) 7-9-12 David Parry Ferdy Murphy

75) 3131-32 JUNIOR 8-9-12 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe

76) 00-50642 THE SAWYER (BEL) 11-9-12 David Fear Bob Buckler

77) 40F-04452 BALLYFITZ 11-9-09 Fred & Wayne Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies

78) P0-24U344 I'MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) 8-9-09 Fred Matthews Neil Mulholland

79) PF4-536 POMME TIEPY (FR) 8-9-09 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

80) 204/12-PP THE SLIOTAR (IRE) 10-9-08 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs

81) F/116PP- TREACLE (IRE) 10-9-04 Bjorn Nielsen Tom Taaffe IRE

82) 560-P2322 REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 10-9-02 Janet Heler Tom George

82 entries remain after March 1 scratchings deadline

27 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING ENTRIRD HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: APT APPROACH (IRE), CANE BRAKE (IRE), CARRONHILLS (IRE), FAIR ALONG (GER), FROM DAWN TO DUSK, GLENCOVE MARINA (IRE), I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES (IRE), JUST AMAZING (IRE), KHACHATURIAN (IRE), LITTLE JOSH (IRE), MOBAASHER (USA), NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR), NICTO DE BEAUCHENE (FR), NOBLE CONCORDE, QUEZAC DE LA ROQUE (FR), QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR), TARANIS (FR), TINAKELLYLAD (IRE), TRANQUIL SEA (IRE)