Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4m 2f 74y

4.00pm, Saturday 5th April

177th Running

1 I Am Maximus (FR) 9 11 12 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend

2 Royale Pagaille (FR) 11 11 9 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

3 Nick Rockett (IRE) 8 11 8 Stewart & Sadie Andrew W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr P. W. Mullins

4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 9 11 8 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes

5 Hewick (IRE) bl 10 11 7 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland Gavin Sheehan

6 Minella Indo (IRE) 12 11 3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore

7 Appreciate It (IRE) ts 11 11 2 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins Ireland Sean O'Keeffe

8 Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9 11 2 Mr David Bobbett W. P. Mullins Ireland Jonathan Burke

9 Conflated (IRE) p 11 11 2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

10 Stumptown (IRE) bl 8 11 2 Furze Bush Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland Keith Donoghue

11 Hitman (FR) ts, p 9 11 1 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell

12 Beauport (IRE) 9 11 1 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

13 Bravemansgame (FR) ts 10 11 0 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls James Reveley

14 Chantry House (IRE) bl 11 10 13 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson James Bowen

15 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) ts, p 10 10 12 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls Harry Skelton

16 Perceval Legallois (FR) 8 10 12 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mark Walsh

17 Kandoo Kid (FR) ts 9 10 11 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

18 Iroko (FR) ts 7 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

19 Intense Raffles (FR) 7 10 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede T. Gibney Ireland J. J. Slevin

20 Senior Chief p 8 10 10 Lucky In Life Syndicate Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe

21 Idas Boy (IRE) ts, p 11 10 10 Dozen Dreamers Richard Phillips Harry Bannister

22 Fil Dor (FR) ts, p 7 10 9 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing

23 Broadway Boy (IRE) p 7 10 9 Mr D. M. Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Bellamy

24 Coko Beach (FR) p 10 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

25 Stay Away Fay (IRE) ts 8 10 9 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls Paul O'Brien

26 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) h 8 10 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Danny Mullins

27 Monbeg Genius (IRE) ts, p 9 10 6 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Nick Scholfield

28 Vanillier (FR) bl,ts 10 10 6 Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell Ireland Sean Flanagan

29 Horantzau d'Airy (FR) ts 8 10 6 Mr Jim Gill Michael Keady Ciaran Gethings

30 Hyland (FR) 8 10 6 The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

31 Celebre d'Allen (FR) p 13 10 6 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan

32 Three Card Brag (IRE) p 8 10 5 Patrick & Scott Bryceland,McNeill Family Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Bowen

33 Twig 10 10 5 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling Beau Morgan

34 Duffle Coat (IRE) p 8 10 4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott Ireland

Reserves

R35 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) ts 11 10 4 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling Ben Jones

R36 Roi Mage (FR) 13 10 4 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin Ireland M. M. McDonagh

R37 Favori de Champdou (FR) p 10 10 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

R38 Fantastic Lady (FR) p 10 10 3 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson

Eliminated

Yeah Man (IRE), Mr Vango (IRE), Macdermott (FR), Mister Coffey (FR), Chemical Energy (IRE), Desertmore House (IRE), Malina Girl (IRE), Richmond Lake (IRE), Stuzzikini (IRE), King Turgeon (FR), Surrey Quest (IRE), Cruz Control (FR), Apple Away (IRE), Busselton (FR), Spanish Harlem (FR), Famous Bridge (IRE), Escaria Ten (FR), Where It All Began (IRE), Pats Fancy (IRE)

Defending champion I Am Maximus heads the 34 declarations for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was a seven-and-a-half-length winner last year and while he is off an 8lb higher mark this term, he is again among the leading lights with Paul Townend keeping faith despite two lacklustre runs this year.

Mullins runs six in total, including Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West and Meetingofthewaters, with fellow Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell also holding a strong hand with ante-post favourite Stumptown joined by Vanillier and Perceval Legallois.

The Shark Hanlon-trained Hewick is another popular pick while Iroko is the leading British hope for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero having been aimed at the race all season.

Strong hand

Paul Nicholls fields a five-strong team headed by Kandoo Kid and with no withdrawals from the top 34 horses confirmed on Monday, it is Gordon Elliott’s Duffle Coat who makes the cut as the final runner.

Shakem Up’Arry, Roi Mage, Favori de Champdou and Fantastic Lady are the four reserve runners waiting in the wings should any of the field be declared a non-runner before 1pm on Friday.

Irish handlers are responsible for half of the field, with their 17 contenders also including one-time ante-post favourite Intense Raffles.

Formerly trained in France, Intense Raffles was switched to Tom Gibney in the autumn of 2023 and following successive novice wins at Fairyhouse, the seven-year-old returned to the County Meath track to provide his trainer with a second Irish National success in April last year. Just over 12 months on from his finest hour, a long-held plan could be about to come together.

“The plan was pretty much hatched the day after he won the Irish National and he didn’t run again over fences until after the weights (for Aintree) had come out (in February),” said Anthony Bromley, who is racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“There was some talk of going for the novice chase at the Punchestown Festival (last year), but a good showing there would have affected our handicap mark, so we decided to set our stall out and target Aintree early.”

Intense pressure

Intense Raffles was well beaten on his first two starts of this season over hurdles at Navan, but a return to the larger obstacles saw a significant upturn in form as he pushed Nick Rockett all the way in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

The Irish National has a good record of producing subsequent Aintree heroes, with Bobbyjo himself, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus all doing the double in the last 30 years – and leading bloodstock agent Bromley is hoping Intense Raffles can add his name to the list.

He added: “It might not work and it could all be in vain, but if the handicapper had to reassess him today and after his run in the Bobbyjo, he would be a good 6lb or 7lb higher, so we’ve done something right!

“Unfortunately, there’s four and a quarter miles, 30 fences and 33 other rivals before we find out how right, so we’ll have to wait and see. We’ve done our job, it’s now down to J J (Slevin, jockey) and the horse to do it on the track on the day.”

1:20pm William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m 149y

1 Maximilian (GER) 9 12 0 Owners Group 099 Donald McCain Brian Hughes

2 Jeriko du Reponet (FR) p 6 11 13 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

3 Rushmount (IRE) 8 11 13 Apex Flight Syndicate Jonathan Sweeney Ireland Brian Hayes

4 Act of Authority (FR) 7 11 12 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Lewis Saunders (7)

5 Kamsinas (FR) ts 8 11 11 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Kamsinas Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke

6 Whatcouldhavebeen (IRE) p 7 11 10 Mrs Suzanne Fahey Jarlath Fahey Ireland Aidan Kelly (3)

7 Dartan bl,ts 8 11 10 Mr Killian McDonnell Matthew J. Smith Ireland James Smith (5)

8 Barry Lyndon (IRE) ts, p 7 11 10 Mrs Fidelma Toole Dermot Anthony McLoughlin Ireland Liam McKenna (5)

9 Bo Zenith (FR) p 6 11 9 Mr O. S. Harris Nicky Henderson James Bowen

10 Bill Joyce (IRE) ts 6 11 9 Dan Walker Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

11 Push The Button (IRE) p 6 11 8 Jimmy & Susie Wenman Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

12 Timmy Tuesday (IRE) 7 11 8 David Barnard/Nick Courtney/C. Moran Gordon Elliott Ireland Danny Gilligan

13 Building Bridges p 9 11 7 Taphouse Syndicate Gary McGill Ireland Mr Oran McGill (5)

14 Park of Kings (IRE) ts 7 11 5 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nolan Ireland Mark Walsh

15 Dinons (FR) p 12 11 5 Mr Joseph Bell & The Gilberts Brian Ellison Craig Nichol

16 Nurse Susan (FR) p 8 11 5 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell (3)

17 Double Powerful (IRE) h 6 11 4 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland Conor O'Farrell

18 Jipcot (FR) ts 6 11 4 The Megsons Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Kielan Woods

19 Catch Him Derry (IRE) 7 11 4 Jolly Boys Outing Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

20 Deep Cave (IRE) 7 11 2 Mr Caolan Brendan Woods Christian Williams Jack Tudor

21 Shanagh Bob (IRE) p 7 11 2 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Paul O'Brien

22 Navajo Indy 6 11 2 M Baker, K Ibberson and H Pearman Tom Symonds Gavin Sheehan

1:55pm Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

1 Castle Carrock (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr J. Law Alan King Tom Cannon

2 Fingle Bridge (IRE) 7 11 7 McNeill Family & Stone Family Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

3 Funiculi Funicula (FR) 5 11 7 Michael A.O'Riordan/Seamus Hennessy W. P. Mullins Ireland

4 Good And Clever (IRE) 6 11 7 Bryce & Greatrex Warren Greatrex James Bowen

5 Honesty Policy (IRE) 5 11 7 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland Mark Walsh

6 Horaces Pearl (FR) 7 11 7 Matt & Sally Burford Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace

7 Kappa Jy Pyke (FR) 5 11 7 Stennett & Varmen Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland

8 Koktail Divin (FR) 5 11 7 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore

9 Miami Magic (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr D. Hague Stuart Edmunds Brian Hughes

10 Moon Phases (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Gerry McGladery & Mr Fraser McClung Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge

11 Regent's Stroll (IRE) h 6 11 7 Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Hogarth & Smith Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

12 Lulamba (FR) 4 10 11 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

2:30pm William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 210y

1 Sam Brown bl,ts 13 12 0 The Exors of Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball Chad Bament (7)

2 Imperial Saint (FR) 7 11 2 Richard Johnson Racing Imperial Saint Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan

3 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) ts, p 11 11 1 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling Ben Jones

4 Myretown (IRE) 8 11 0 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge

5 Le Milos p 10 11 0 The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

6 Richmond Lake (IRE) 9 10 12 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain Brian Hughes

7 Peaky Boy (IRE) 7 10 11 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Nick Scholfield

8 Happygolucky (IRE) 11 10 11 Lady Dulverton Mel Rowley Jonathan Burke

9 Cruz Control (FR) ts 8 10 11 Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

10 Doctor Ken (FR) 9 10 7 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

11 Weveallbeencaught (IRE) v,ts 8 10 7 Jimmy & Susie Wenman Edward & Jane James Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

12 Heltenham (FR) ts 8 10 6 Exors of the late Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton Ciaran Gethings

13 Docpickedme (IRE) ts, p 9 10 5 Mr R. Key Richard Hobson Charlie Maggs (5)

14 Frero Banbou (FR) 10 10 4 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

15 Erne River (IRE) bl 10 10 2 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent Adam Wedge

16 Charlie Uberalles 9 10 2 Mr G. Critchley Dianne Sayer Danny McMenamin

3:05pm Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y

1 Altobelli (IRE) ts, p 7 11 10 Charlie Walker and Jonny Craib Harry Fry Bryan Carver

2 Buddy One (IRE) ts 8 11 10 E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Paul John Gilligan Ireland Jack G. Gilligan

3 Dashel Drasher 12 11 10 Mrs B Tully and Mr R Lock Jeremy Scott Rex Dingle

4 Gwennie May Boy (IRE) 7 11 10 Ms Gwendoline M Clarke Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

5 Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE) 8 11 10 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe

6 Home By The Lee (IRE) bl 10 11 10 Mr Sean O'Driscoll Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland J. J. Slevin

7 Kitzbuhel (FR) 5 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend

8 Monmiral (FR) bl,ts 8 11 10 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

9 Sounds Russian (IRE) 10 11 10 Claxby & Co Ruth Jefferson Brian Hughes

10 Strong Leader 8 11 10 Welfordgolf syndicate Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

11 Teahupoo (FR) 8 11 10 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing

12 The Wallpark (IRE) 7 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland Mark Walsh

13 Jetara (IRE) p 7 11 3 Mr G. McGrath Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Nico de Boinville

5:00pm Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 176y

1 Brookie (IRE) ts 8 11 7 Miss A F Rugg Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

2 Kalif du Berlais (FR) 5 11 7 Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

3 L'Eau du Sud (FR) ts, p 7 11 7 GMasonJHalesLHalesPHogarthSirAFerguson Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

4 Special Cadeau 7 11 7 Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe

5 Touch Me Not (IRE) 6 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing

6 Only By Night (IRE) 7 11 0 Mrs J. M. Russell Gavin Cromwell Ireland Keith Donoghue

5:35pm Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y

1 Blofeld (IRE) 6 11 4 Miss Maria D. Myco Rebecca Menzies Brian Hughes

2 Camberwell (IRE) 5 11 4 Stone Family/McNeill Family John McConnell Ireland

3 Crackerjacque 5 11 4 Frost, Palmer and Wakely Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

4 Destination Dubai (IRE) ts 6 11 4 The Reserved Judgment Partnership David Killahena & Graeme McPherson Kielan Woods

5 Edward Sexton (IRE) 5 11 4 Coldunell Limited Gary & Josh Moore Mr David Dunsdon

6 El Cairos (FR) 5 11 4 Mr David Maxwell Gary & Josh Moore Mr David Maxwell

7 Fountains Blenhein 6 11 4 The Fountains Partnership Anthony Honeyball Sean Bowen

8 Gaelic Pride (SPA) 5 11 4 Franklin & Gurney Warren Greatrex James Bowen

9 Green Splendour 5 11 4 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

10 Kilwaughter (IRE) 5 11 4 House Family Partnership Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan

11 Koktail Brut (FR) 5 11 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr Harry Swan

12 Le Labo (IRE) 5 11 4 Mrs Claire Gleeson Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr J. L. Gleeson

13 Mossy Fen Road (IRE) 5 11 4 Barratt Racing Harry Derham Paul O'Brien

14 Quaviste (FR) 5 11 4 Mr Robert Kirkland Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

15 Scope To Improve 5 11 4 Paul Hale/Patrick Hale Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore

16 Storming George (IRE) 5 11 4 Peter Beadles Neil King Jack Quinlan

17 Swingin Safari (IRE) 5 11 4 Bell, Lyons & James Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

18 Frontier Prince 4 10 10 Mr J. N. Greenley Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke

19 Our Boy Stan 4 10 10 Forty Winks Racing Ben Pauling Ben Jones

20 Unjeu Royal (FR) 4 10 10 Plumbing World Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard