Countdown to Aintree Grand National 2010

It is under two weeks now to the greatest race in the world, the John Smith’s Grand National Steeplechase worth £925,000.00 run over 4 miles 4 furlongs at Aintree. Mon Mome (pictured) is the likely top weight and will carry 11 stone 12 lbs, 12 lbs more than he carried when winning last year by 12 lengths. The other placed horses last year, Comply or Die the 2008 winner, My Will and State of Play are all due to run again. Big Fella Thanks was sixth last year and will be ridden this year by Ruby Walsh for the owners of Denman. Ruby Walsh had the choice of Big Fella Thanks, Tricky Trickster or Snowy Morning. Snowy Morning was third in 2008 and ninth last year. He has been trained specifically for the race this year by Willie Mullins and will be on my short list. Tony McCoy will be riding Cant Buy Time for his boss J.P.McManus who will probably have four runners. Niche Market won the Irish Grand National last year and has shown good form this year. He was eliminated from the Grand National field last year as was Maljimar who could be another interesting runner this year and like Niche Market will also get in the final forty. There is another declaration stage next week.

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".