LONDON, England (Reuters) – Being champion trainer and champion jockey counts for nothing when it comes to the Grand National. Just ask Paul Nicholls and Tony McCoy. Nicholls has fielded 44 runners over 18 years, all without success. McCoy has had 14 attempts and has never finished better than third.
Both try once again to end their barren run when the world-famous steeplechase is held at Aintree racecourse today.
Nicholls saddles the 7-1 favourite Big Fella Thanks, one of four entries from his powerful Somerset stable. McCoy will ride Don’t Push It (20-1) for trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
Last year’s shock 100-1 winner Mon Mome lines up again and bids to become the first horse to win successive Nationals since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974.
Mon Mome finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, a performance trainer Venetia Williams described as “tremendous” and “not a bad prep race for the National”.
“His preparation has gone better this year than last. We have got nothing to change as there is a blueprint to follow,” she said.
“All you want is to make sure that he will be there to do himself justice — but there are 40 runners in the race and they will all be desperate to run well.”
Mon Mome will have to shoulder the welter weight of 11st 7lb in the four miles and four furlongs handicap. Only Hedgehunter has carried more than 11st to victory since Corbiere in 1983.
Gold Cup winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies will try to become the first handler for 34 years to win the Cheltenham and Aintree showpiece in the same season. The feat was last achieved by Fred Rimell in 1976.
Twiston-Davies, who saddled Imperial Commander to win the Gold Cup last month, has five runners as he bids to win a third National following Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002.
He thinks Irish Raptor is his best chance of another victory.
“He’s won round Aintree and is really my idea of a likely winner. He’s fresh and jumps well.” Twiston-Davies said.
Comply Or Die (20-1) gave trainer David Pipe the biggest success of his career when winning the Aintree showpiece in 2008. He was runner-up to Mon Mome 12 months ago and takes his chance again.
“He has got the track record and is proven round there and jumps the fences well,” Pipe said.
Grand National betting (leading contenders only): 7-1 Big Fella Thanks, 10-1 Mon Mome, 14-1 Black Apalachi, Arbor Supreme, The Package, 16-1 Snowy Morning, Tricky Trickster, Niche Market, Vic Venturi, 20-1 Don’t Push It, State of Play, 25-1 Backstage.