Definitly Red handed top weight for Randox Health Grand National

The world’s greatest and richest chase is the highlight of Aintree’s three-day Randox Health Grand National Festival and takes places with a maximum of 40 runners at 5.15pm on Saturday April 14.

Definitly Red was one of the leading contenders for the 2017 renewal but pulled up on the first circuit with a tack problem when rated 149.

The nine-year-old has improved again this season, with Grade Two triumphs in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December and the Cotswold, in which he defeated American (11st 2lb) by eight lengths.

Blaklion has been allotted 11st 6lb following his 12-length victory in the Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree in December. His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who is the only current handler to have won the Grand National more than once, also has Betfair Chase hero Bristol De Mai (11st 9lb) and Aintree Grade One scorer Flying Angel (10st 7lb) among his five contenders, though he reported Bristol De Mai was likely to be aimed at the Grade One Bowl instead.

Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins lifted the spoils in 2005 with favourite Hedgehunter and has the leading Irish-trained contender this year in Total Recall (11st 1lb). He stayed on strongly to defeat Whisper by a neck in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in December and took advantage of a lower handicap mark over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival earlier this month.

Mullins’ 10 entries also include promising novice Rathvinden (10st 9lb), Pleasant Company (10st 7lb) and Polidam (10st 5lb).

Multiple Grade One scorer Outlander (Gordon Elliott, 11st 8lb) has the most weight of the 11 Gigginstown House Stud-owned contenders. Others to note for Michael O'Leary’s operation include Valseur Lido (Henry de Bromhead, 11st 5lb) and National Hunt Chase hero Tiger Roll (Elliott, 10st 9lb).

Last year’s runner-up Cause Of Causes (10st 12lb), also trained by Elliott, is one of seven entries for owner J P McManus, who also feature recent Grade One Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf (Joseph O’Brien, 11st 9lb), last year's Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup second Minella Rocco (Jonjo O'Neill, 11st 7lb) and Anibale Fly (Tony Martin, 11st 4lb).

Elliott's 10 entries also include the Chris Jones-owned pair of Mala Beach (11st 3lb), winner of the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November, and Noble Endeavor (10st 13lb, 33/1).

Gold Present (11st), successful in competitive handicaps at Newbury and Ascot this season,headlines three contenders for Britain’s champion Jump handler Nicky Henderson. The Lambourn trainer could also run O O Seven (10st 11lb) and Vyta Du Roc (10st 6lb).

Paul Nicholls triumphed with Neptune Collonges in 2012 and his six entries are led by dual Scottish Grand National winner Vicente (10st 10lb), more likely to head back to Ayr, course scorer As De Mee (10st 8lb, 50/1) and Warriors Tale (10st 8lb), beaten narrowly on both his starts this season.

Irish handler Mouse Morris saddled the 2016 winner Rule The World. His three entries, all owned by Gigginstown House Stud, include Alpha Des Obeux (11st) and 2015 Irish Grand National scorer Thunder And Roses (10st 1lb).

Further down the weights, Welsh Grand National hero Raz De Maree (Gavin Cromwell), who at the age of 13 is the oldest winner of the Chepstow showpiece, has been handed 10st 5lb, while impressive Classic Handicap Chase victor Milansbar (Neil King1) is 69th on the list on 10st 2lb. One For Arthur took the Classic Handicap Chase prior to this Randox Health Grand National success last season.

Trainer Dr Richard Newland and owner John Provan combined with 2014 winner Pineau de Re. They have another interesting contender in Abolitionist (10st 4lb), who finished third in last season's Irish Grand National.

Randox Health Grand National – Sky Bet prices (Non-Runner No Bet and Best Odds Guaranteed): 10 Blaklion 12 Total Recall 16 Definitely Red 20 Cause Of Causes, Gold Present, Minella Rocco, The Last Samuri, Vincente 25 Bristol De Mai, Gas Line Boy, Noble Endeavour, Vyta Du Roc, Wild West Wind (EW ¼ 1-2-3-4-5)

Randox Health Grand National weights

Horse Age Wgt Rating Owner Trainer

1) DEFINITLY RED (IRE) 9 11-10 165 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison

2) BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) 7 11-09 164 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies

3) EDWULF 9 11-09 164 J P McManus Joseph O'Brien IRE

4) OUTLANDER (IRE) 10 11-08 163 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

5) MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) 8 11-07 162 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

6) BLAKLION 9 11-06 161 Simon Such & Gino Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies

7) SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE) 9 11-05 160 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

8) ANIBALE FLY (FR) 8 11-04 159 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE

9) THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 10 11-04 159 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey

10) MALA BEACH (IRE) 10 11-03 158 Chris Jones Gordon Elliott IRE

11) VALSEUR LIDO (FR) 9 11-03 158 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

12) AMERICAN (FR) 8 11-02 157 The Jago Family Partnership Harry Fry

13) TOTAL RECALL (IRE) 9 11-01 156 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

14) ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) 8 11-00 155 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

15) GOLD PRESENT (IRE) 8 11-00 155 John & Barbara Cotton Nicky Henderson

16) NOBLE ENDEAVOR (IRE) 9 10-13 154 Chris Jones Gordon Elliott IRE

17) PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) 11 10-13 154 ISL Recruitment Fergal O'Brien

18) SIZING CODELCO (IRE) 9 10-13 154 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Colin Tizzard

19) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 10 10-12 153 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE

20) SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) 8 10-12 153 Carl Hinchy Richard Hobson

21) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 12 10-11 152 J P McManus John Kiely IRE

22) O O SEVEN (IRE) 8 10-11 152 Christopher Hanbury Nicky Henderson

23) TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 11 10-11 152 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams

24) GO CONQUER (IRE) 9 10-10 151 Paul & Clare Rooney Jonjo O'Neill

25) TRAFFIC FLUIDE (FR) 8 10-10 151 Galloping On The South Downs Partnership Gary Moore

26) VICENTE (FR) 9 10-10 151 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls

27) ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS (FR) 8 10-09 150 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

28) RATHVINDEN (IRE) 10 10-09 150 Ronnie Bartlett Willie Mullins IRE

29) REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 10 10-09 150 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball

30) TIGER ROLL (IRE) 8 10-09 150 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

31) VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 9 10-09 150 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe

32) A GENIE IN ABOTTLE (IRE) 7 10-08 149 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

33) AS DE MEE (FR) 8 10-08 149 The Stewart Family & Judi Dench Paul Nicholls

34) CHASE THE SPUD 10 10-08 149 Christine Banks Fergal O'Brien

35) ROCK THE KASBAH (IRE) 8 10-08 149 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs

36) SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT 10 10-08 149 Quona Thomson Sandy Thomson

37) WARRIORS TALE 9 10-08 149 Michelle & Dan Macdonald Paul Nicholls

38) BELLSHILL (IRE) 8 10-07 148 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

39) FLYING ANGEL (IRE) 7 10-07 148 Rob Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies

40) GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 12 10-07 148 The Three Graces Ian Williams

41) PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) 10 10-07 148 Malcolm C Denmark Willie Mullins IRE

42) THE DUTCHMAN (IRE) 8 10-07 148 SprayClad UK Colin Tizzard

43) BEEVES (IRE) 11 10-06 147 Paul & Clare Rooney Jennie Candlish

44) SAINT ARE (FR) 12 10-06 147 David Fox Tom George

45) UCELLO CONTI (FR) 10 10-06 147 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott IRE

46) VYTA DU ROC (FR) 9 10-06 147 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

47) CAROLE'S DESTRIER 10 10-05 146 Carole Skipworth Neil Mulholland

48) LONG HOUSE HALL (IRE) 10 10-05 146 Carl Hinchy Dan Skelton

49) POLIDAM (FR) 9 10-05 146 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE

50) RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 13 10-05 146 James Swan Gavin Cromwell IRE

51) ABOLITIONIST (IRE) 10 10-04 145 Mark Albon, John Provan & Chris Stedman Dr Richard Newland

52) BAIE DES ILES (FR) 7 10-04 145 Zorka Wentworth Ross O'Sullivan IRE

53) BUYWISE (IRE) 11 10-04 145 T Hywel Jones Evan Williams

54) CHILDRENS LIST (IRE) 8 10-04 145 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

55) I JUST KNOW (IRE) 8 10-04 145 M B Scholey & the late R H Scholey Sue Smith

56) MAGGIO (FR) 13 10-04 145 Douglas Pryde/James Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE

57) PENDRA (IRE) 10 10-04 145 J P McManus Charlie Longsdon

58) VIRGILIO (FR) 9 10-04 145 C J Edwards, D Futter, A H Rushworth Dan Skelton

59) CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE) 9 10-03 144 Stuart Coltherd Stuart Coltherd

60) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 11 10-03 144 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams

61) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 12 10-03 144 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

62) SILSOL (GER) 9 10-03 144 Michelle & Dan Macdonald Paul Nicholls

63) THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 11 10-03 144 Robert & Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard

64) THREE FACES WEST (IRE) 10 10-03 144 Paul & Clare Rooney Philip Hobbs

65) WILD WEST WIND (IRE) 9 10-03 144 Simon Clarke Tom George

66) BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 13 10-02 143 Adrian Butler & S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE

67) DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) 12 10-02 143 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies

68) FINAL NUDGE (IRE) 9 10-02 143 Corbett Stud David Dennis

69) MILANSBAR (IRE) 11 10-02 143 Robert Bothway Neil King

70) MORNING ASSEMBLY (IRE) 11 10-02 143 Clipper Logistics Group Ltd Pat Fahy IRE

71) DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (IRE) 8 10-01 142 McGoldrick Racing 3 Sue Smith

72) ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) 11 10-01 142 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

73) THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) 10 10-01 142 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

74) SAMETEGAL (FR) 9 10-00 141 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls

75) VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) 8 10-00 141 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith

76) WALK IN THE MILL (FR) 8 10-00 141 Baroness Harding Robert Walford

77) GENERAL PRINCIPLE (IRE) 9 9-12 139 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

78) VIC DE TOUZAINE (FR) 9 9-12 139 Andrew Brooks & G Moore Venetia Williams

79) VIEUX MORVAN (FR) 9 9-12 139 M L Bloodstock Joseph O'Brien IRE

80) WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) 9 9-12 139 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

81) ARBRE DE VIE (FR) 8 9-11 138 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

82) BALLYALTON (IRE) 11 9-11 138 John Westwood Ian Williams

83) BONNY KATE (IRE) 8 9-11 138 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE

84) COGRY 9 9-11 138 Graham & Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

85) MISSED APPROACH (IRE) 8 9-11 138 Alan & Andrew Turner Warren Greatrex

86) MYSTEREE (IRE) 10 9-11 138 Mrs Lynne Maclennan Michael Scudamore

87) SIR MANGAN (IRE) 10 9-11 138 Frank McAleavy Dan Skelton

88) SPLASH OF GINGE 10 9-11 138 John Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

89) BRAQUEUR D'OR (FR) 7 9-10 137 Corsellis & Seyfried Paul Nicholls

90) MINELLA DADDY (IRE) 8 9-10 137 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen

91) PAIROFBROWNEYES (IRE) 9 9-10 137 Fibbage Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

92) RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE) 9 9-10 137 Nigel Morris Rebecca Curtis

93) KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 9 9-09 136 Tim Leslie Donald McCain

94) THE YOUNG MASTER 9 9-08 135 Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters Neil Mulholland

95) ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) 13 9-06 133 Alan Beard & Brian Beard Kerry Lee

96) HENRI PARRY MORGAN 10 9-06 133 Ednyfed & Elizabeth Morgan Peter Bowen

97) PHIL'S MAGIC (IRE) 8 9-06 133 Lyreen Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

98) BRAVISSIMO (FR) 7 9-05 132 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

99) DANCING SHADOW (IRE) 9 9-05 132 The Dancing Shadows Victor Dartnall

100) ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) 10 9-05 132 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

101) THEBARROWMAN (IRE) 8 9-04 131 D Keys Adrian Keatley IRE

102) OUT SAM 9 9-03 130 D Charlesworth Gordon Elliott IRE

103) KRACKATOA KING 10 9-00 127 JC Harrison Lee & T Howard Partnership Kerry Lee

104) GOODTOKNOW 10 8-13 126 Burling Lee MacEchern Nolan Potter Kerry Lee

105) POORMANS HILL (IRE) 7 NQ 120 V Caldwell/Mrs K Caldwell Gordon Elliott IRE

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