Record number in Grand National
A record total of 92 horses are on 10st or above in the weights published today for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9.
The previous highest number of horses in the handicap proper was 67 two years ago.
Howard Johnson’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Grey Abbey has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb with Sir Rembrandt, runner-up to Best Mate in last year’s blue riband, next on 11st 10lb.
Johnson has not totally ruled out running Grey Abbey.
He said: “If Grey Abbey doesn’t run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup he might go. It just depends on the ground with Grey Abbey – the softer the better.”
He could run Valley Henry (11st 4lb), who is due to make his belated reappearance soon.
“He’s ready for a run and in good order,” Johnson added.
“I always thought he’d be a National horse because he’s really a two-and-a-half-mile horse – that’s his best trip – and if you drop him in and if the top comes off them (fences) it might make him more enthusiastic.
“Once you got the first circuit out of the way and he got into a rhythm I think it might rekindle a horse like him.”
Last year’s winner Amberleigh House is on 11st while the horses that followed him home Clan Royal, Lord Atterbury and Monty’s Pass, who took the great race in 2003, are on 10st 8lb, 10st 3lb and 11st 3lb.
Leading fancy Silver Birch has been given 10st 9lb.
