This Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr might not have the prestige, prize money or quite the class of Aintree’s John Smith’s Grand National, but it nevertheless looks a fascinating contest, and one in which Sue Smith’s Himalayan Trail could go well at a decent price, writes Elliot Slater.

Now that connections of the mighty Denman have resisted the temptation to run, nearly all the other runners in the race would have been some way out of the handicap had he taken his chance, Himalayan Trail gets to run off an attractive weight of just 10st 5lbs and looks primed to give a good account of himself.

The winner of the 2008 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter subsequently endured a pretty lean time of things and rather lost his form until bouncing back off a reduced handicap mark to win well at Haydock in February. A subsequent 12lb rise in the weights after that victory proved no barrier to success as the 11-year-old stayed on bravely to win a good prize at Carlisle last time out. Now back to something close to his best form, Himalayan Trail could yet defy a further hike up the weights and with no doubts about stamina and his will to win clearly intact, he could represent excellent horse racing bet at 33/1.

Jimmy Moffatt’s Chief Dan George, who was balloted out of the big race at Aintree last week, is also set to miss the Ayr event, while last year’s runner-up Gone To Lunch, trained in Ireland by Homer Scott, will surely be on the premises having been trained specifically for this race since his fine effort 12 months ago.

As a jockey, Irishman Dessie Hughes scaled the heights, winning the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Davy Lad and the Champion Hurdle two years later when partnering Monksfield to a famous success over Sea Pigeon. Now, more than 30 years on, Hughes has his best chance of winning the John Smith’s Grand National as the trainer of both Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi, writes Elliot Slater.

Already seen as serious contenders for honours at Aintree this year, Hughes did nothing to lessen the excitement emanating from his yard when sending out Vic Venturi to win the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last month, with Black Apalachi also running a cracker to come second.

Vic Venturi, a best priced 20/1, has already proven his ability to handle the daunting Aintree fences in winning the Becher Chase over one circuit of the National course back in November. He stays well and handles the soft ground that is now anticipated for the world’s greatest steeplechase, although the final going will depend on the Grand National weather.

For his part, Black Apalachi has also won the Becher Chase but is probably best known to the betting public for his heroics in last year’s Grand National where he put up a tremendous display of bold front-running and was still going strongly in the lead when blundering and unseating Denis O’Regan at Becher’s on the second circuit. It was still too early to be sure, but there is no doubt that Hughes’ charge was revelling in the experience and might well have finished in the first four had he put in a clean round.

Bookmakers are taking few chances this time around and Black Apalachi who is currently quoted at a best priced 14/1. It would be no surprise to see those odds shorten considerably in the 48 hours before the race as the betting public are shown video reminders of his big run 12 months ago. Those who want to place a Grand National bet on the 11-year-old might be best advised to take a price sooner rather than later.

In 171 years of Grand National history only one horse has managed to win the toughest steeple chase three times ~ the legendary, famed and infamous Red Rum. This remarkable jumper became an instant celebrity in horse racing circles after winning the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The 2010 Aintree Grand National might just lay the foundation for a second triple winner, considering that the field will include three previous Grand National champions.

Silver Birch (2007 winner), Comply Or Die (2008 winner) and Mon Mome (2009 winner) are all planning to return to the site of their former glory on April 19th in an attempt to claim the second victory that would set them on the path to share Red Rum’s thus untouched achievement.

As the Aintree Festival and with it the anticipated Grand National draws nearer, it may be a good idea to take a closer look at these three interesting contenders.

Silver Birch – Foaled April 6th 1997 Silver Birch is by far the oldest of the three contenders for the coveted dual win. However, age does not need to be a drawback; after all Peter Simple, the oldest horse to win the Grand National, was 15 years old when he was the first across the line. Out of his 28 career starts the gelding has won seven races, placed second five times and recorded two third places; leaving him at a 25% winning rate. However, since his win in the 2007 Grand National, Silver Birch has not recorded a win. Nonetheless, the Elliott trained contender placed an impressive second place in the Glenfarclas P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase at Punchestown on January 31st this year. This hints that the thirteen-year-old is in better shape than he has been in years; which is necessary as Silver Birch is unlikely to have many more active seasons left to race. If Elliott couples his charge once more with regular jockey Robbie Power, who rode Silver Birch to his previous Grand National victory, the veteran will be an interesting candidate to watch over the next weeks.

Comply Or Die – Out of the three returning champions Comply Or Die is the one who has already narrowly scraped by a second win, leaving him with business to settle with rival Mon Mome. After winning the Grand National in 2008, the David Pipe-trained gelding was beaten by 100-1 outsider Mon Mome. Since this defeat the eleven-year-old has not recorded any outstanding successes. His most recent race, the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival 2010, saw Comply Or Die starting out well but faltering to the point of reaching only a disappointing 13th place. However, it was the first race he had to face without regular jockey Tommy Murphy since December 2007. Although Comply Or Die seems to be in a slight funk, it is not out of the question that the experienced team of Pipe and Murphy will pull out enough stops to give their charge another shot at multiple Grand National Glory.

Mon Mome – When Mon Mome raced to victory in last year’s Grand National at Aintree, it was one of the rare triumphs of the underdog that make a race day truly memorable. Rated with 100-1 odds the French-trained gelding became the first French horse to win the Grand National in exactly one century; since the 1909 victory of Lutteur III. However, as it seems to be the curse of the recent Grand National champions since his success at Aintree Mom Mome has yet to record another win; although he has been racing consistently and never with truly shameful consequences. Out of his 38 career runs Mon Mome has won six races, and placed second and third eight and four times respectively; leaving him at a 15.7% winning rate. The ten-year-old is the youngest of the returning champions, which gives him the edge in this unusually tough and competitive race, although the experience of his rivals must not be underestimated.

The Aintree Grand National is always an occasion it is after all the craziest steeple chase staged all year whether or not it produces a double winner. Still, a double win would up the ante for the 2011 Grand National and the connections of the three candidates are working and planning around the clock in order to get their charges in the best possible shape for the looming event.

For more news about upcoming horse race meetings (including, obviously, the Grand National) check out Horse Racing UK for regular news, previews and reviews.

When multi-millionaire racehorse owner Graham Wylie paid 200,000 guineas for Abbeybraney at public auction in November 2008, he bought the horse specifically with the John Smith’s Grand National in mind, writes Elliot Slater.

A classy performer in his native Ireland, Abbeybraney had only narrowly failed to beat the smart Notre Pere in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown and made a good start this side of the Irish Sea when chasing home Barbers Shop in a listed contest at Sandown.

Johnston’s gelding was then installed as one of the market leaders for the Welsh Grand National, but sadly the 10-year-old suffered a setback the week before the contest and was out of action for 11 months until returning to run a good third to the useful Weapons Amnesty at Newcastle in November. His subsequent success at Hexham at least showed that he remains sound and could be on the way back to recovering his best form.

Although capable of handling very soft ground, Abbeybraney is probably one of the better Grand National Horses on a decent surface and the prospect of a dry spell leading up to the Aintree meeting in April must enhance his chances of getting involved. A bigger challenge will be to first make the cut for the marathon spectacular as off an allocated weight of 10st 5lbs he appears to be in some danger of being left on the sidelines, needing at least 20 horses above him in the list to be withdrawn before the final declaration stage.

A thorough stayer, Abbeybraney is reportedly pleasing connections in his build up towards a tilt at the Aintree showpiece and could well warm up with a crack at the marathon National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A good show at Prestbury Park could see his current Aintree Grand National Betting odds of 66/1 being slashed, but there will remain a doubt until only days before the event as to whether or not he will be granted a place in the Grand National starting line-up.

When the John Smith’s Grand National weights were made public in mid-February trainer Mouse Morris’s reaction was one of barely disguised disgust and he made it clear that the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was a very doubtful runner, writes Elliot Slater.

I’m sure we have all said things in the heat of the moment that we regret later, and it does appear that Morris is beginning to have second thoughts on the matter. The fact that the majority of firms have re-introduced the in-form veteran into their 2010 Grand National Prices lists at around 20/1, suggests that the vibes emanating from County Tipperary are growing more positive by the day.

It would be great for the Grand National itself if the former Gold Cup winner were to take his chance. Having been counted out as a light of former days, the 11-year-old has come back to form with a vengeance this term since being switched to hurdles, winning two Grade 2 events in recent starts and showing tremendous zest for a fight. A crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle could well be a warm-up for a tilt at the Aintree marathon, where even with 11st 1lbs, the gelding could be very competitive if he stays (despite his trainer’s protestations).

In 32 starts under rules War Of Attrition has never fallen, and as well as the Gold Cup, has won six other graded races, including the Grade 1 Swordlestown Novices Chase and the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. His career prize money already exceeds a superb £700,000.

Having spent much of the season running over timber to rekindle his enthusiasm, the unique challenge of the Grand National weather fences could easily spark a similarly successful reaction from a horse who has proven time and again that he really is a star performer.

Niche Market’s chances at the Grand National are progressively improving and according to trainer Bob Buckler, he is a ‘model’ horse for the race. His running in the Newbury Aon Chase where he came second to Tricky Trickster has encouraged bookmakers to make him the obvious second favourite for the Aintree race, and at 16/1, is succeeded only by Tricky Trickster himself.

At eleven stone four, Niche Market also caused a huge commotion when having been one of four reserves for the 2009 Grand National he was denied a run when there were no non-runners. He then went on to win in the Irish National in April as a 33-1 shot, chased home by two horses that had started at 50-1. He was the third English-trained victor of the Irish National in the previous six years, and gave trainer Buckler a very welcome and very new taste of fame. He first took out a training licence fifteen years ago, and the reward money of €141,500 for the Irish National was more than he had won in the whole of the previous season. Buckler admitted that not getting to race in the Grand National may have been a ‘blessing in disguise’, as the Irish National was ‘much more suitable for him.’

Both owner and trainer have always been particularly optimistic about Niche Market’s chances, knowing what he is capable of from the offset – he had been entered in huge races early on including the Cheltenham National Hunt Chase, in which he came fourth in 2008 and eighth in 2009. He was already proving what he was made of when he won the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot from Monkerhostin in December 2008. However it wasn’t until he came third to the impressive Denman in the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup that the steeple chase world really began to sit up and pay attention.

Regan, being an Irishman, would prefer if Niche Market was a Cheltenham Gold Cup than an Aintree horse, but that is not the way things have worked out for the horse, which at the end of the day may work out in his favour if he wins in April. The nine year old he has been steadily improving over the past few years and owner Regan expects his weight to go up 2lb or a bit more, which would take his official mark from 148 to 150 nearly for the 2010 National. As Regan says: ‘Niche Market jumps, he gallops and he stays, so in my view, he’s a model for the National.’

Mouse Morris is not a happy camper these days especially as his main contender for the Grand National 2010, War of Attrition, was given a particularly high weighting of 11st 1lb on Tuesday by the official handicapper.

Morris has advised that he is “more than a bit baffled and very disappointed” with the allotted weight which may even rule War of Attrition out of the great race on Saturday April 10th and has, instead, decided to focus on the Ladbrokes World Hurdle next month at Cheltenham. In fact, most bookmakers have even scratched the horse from their official Grand National listings and odds.

Mouse Morris’s frustration is understandable when you consider that War of Attrition hasn’t won a chase since November 2008 and the handicapper appears to have worked off a rating of 158 as opposed to 163 which means that he should, by rights, have been included in the lower weights, which of course would give him a better shot at winning on the day.

War of Attrition was the only entry for Mouse Morris in this year’s Grand National so it looks like it’s going to be a quiet day for him!

The day we’ve all been waiting for since the entries were announced is finally here and yes, the weights have now been declared giving us all a better picture of the potential line up for the Grand National 2010 on April 10th.

There were some surprises, not least of which is the fact that three horses tie for top weight, and even more surprising is the horses themselves – Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais and Notre Pere are all on 11st 10lbs. I’m not suggesting that these horses don’t have what it takes to win the Grand National but let’s be fair, there are definitely horses in contention who are more likely to give a better run on the day so handicapping these three at the highest level seems a little unusual…

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t even consider backing a horse that weighted more than 11st 3lbs, at the absolute most, but this year that would rule out Tricky Trickster (11st 4lbs), Niche Market (11st 4lbs) and Black Apalachi (11lbs 6lbs) who are all worth serious look.

The Top 50 list of weights is available below and odds on all of the horses are available from Paddy Power Bookmakers.

1) 03-P136 ALBERTAS RUN (IRE) 9-11-10 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O’Neill

2) 101-324 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 9-11-10 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe

3) 12-1F544 NOTRE PERE (FR) 9-11-10 Tilly Conway Jim Dreaper IRE

4) 12/14P/-1 TARANIS (FR) 9-11-09 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls

5) 4-61r01 OUR VIC (IRE) 12-11-08 David Johnson David Pipe

6) 001-P34 MON MOME (FR) 10-11-07 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

7) P151U-0 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 11-11-06 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE

8 ) 15-5003 JOE LIVELY (IRE) 11-11-06 Richard Dimond Colin Tizzard

9) 0-21150 VIC VENTURI (IRE) 10-11-06 James Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE

10) 1/P002-0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 11-11-05 David Johnson David Pipe

11) 201-423 DON’T PUSH IT (IRE) 10-11-05 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill

12) 231110- IRISH INVADER (IRE) 9-11-05 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

13) 43-3U240 MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE) 8-11-04 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE

14) 401-0352 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 9-11-04 Graham Regan Bob Buckler

15) 22121-21 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 7-11-04 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

16) P15P-14 CASEY JONES (IRE) 9-11-03 Gillian Burke Noel Meade IRE

17) 31FU-36 CLOUDY LANE 10-11-03 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr

18) PUPP/-21 DREAM ALLIANCE 9-11-03 The Alliance Partnership Philip Hobbs

19) 1P00-60 NOZIC (FR) 9-11-03 Sam Mcvie Paul Nicholls

20) 3201-11 POSSOL (FR) 7-11-03 Neville Statham Henry Daly

21) F3-13233 SIEGEMASTER (IRE) 9-11-03 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE

22) 553-205 MY WILL (FR) 10-11-02 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

23) 3606-4F PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 9-11-02 Joe Moran David Pipe

24) r-04205 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 9-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

25) P230411 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 11-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

26) 0112313 BACKSTAGE (FR) 8-11-00 MPR & Capranny Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE

27) P6-5111 BALLYHOLLAND (IRE) 9-11-00 Cathal McGovern Colin McBratney IRE

28) FP-1P1P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 9-11-00 New Club Ladies Nigel Twiston-Davies

29) 100-000 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 10-11-00 John O’Donohue/Tom O’Leary Tom O’Leary IRE

30) 212//U1-2(1)(1) ROULEZ COOL 7-11-00 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen

31) 5-31110 BERONI (IRE) 8-10-13 Margaret O’Rourke Willie Mullins IRE

32) 314F-01 CAN’T BUY TIME (IRE) 8-10-13 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill

33) 1P1-0131 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 7-10-13 Glass Half Full Richard Lee

34) 11411P SEVEN IS MY NUMBER (IRE) 8-10-13 David Johnson David Pipe

35) 110322 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 10-10-13 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

36) 22506-P3 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 8-10-12 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann

37) 2U136-2U BIG FELLA THANKS 8-10-12 Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls

38) 3P///3P10- DARKNESS 11-10-12 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton

39) 113-412 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 7-10-12 Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins IRE

40) 4/2D133- LOUPING D’AINAY (FR) 11-10-12 Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR

41) 143301-0 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 10-10-11 Mrs E Wright John Quinn

42) F0-5260 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 10-10-11 Frances Duffin/Sean Corby Tom Mullins IRE

43) 02U-301 DOONEYS GATE (IRE) 9-10-11 Thomas Gilligan Willie Mullins IRE

44) P2-205P0 GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 10-10-11 Gary Lever Jeremy Scott

45) 4116-6P KORNATI KID 8-10-11 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs

46) 60/144-P STATE OF PLAY 10-10-11 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams

47) 00-1210 ELLERSLIE GEORGE (IRE) 10-10-10 Guy Henderson Nick Mitchell

48) 112130- FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) 7-10-10 Cavan Developments Bloodstock Oliver McKiernan IRE

49) 45-1552 JAYO (FR) 7-10-10 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE

50) 11U36U ROYAL COUNTY STAR (IRE) 11-10-10 Dunsany Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

With the closing date for Grand National 2010 entries fast approaching, trainers are now having to make the tough decisions as to whether or not they plan to enter their horses into the big race which takes place on April 10th 2010 at Aintree.

Trainer Charlie Longsdon has already decided that Palypso De Creek will be given an entry in a bid for the biggest success of his career. The seven-year-old is already familiar with the Grand National course at Aintree from his participation in the Totesport Becher Chase in November when he finished in fourth place.

More recently he finished second at Haydock on Jan 23rd from a field of 12 when he was paired with Tom Siddall so overall things are looking pretty promising for the young horse.

Longsdon said “We are very pleased with his Haydock run at the weekend…We will enter him in races like the William Hill Chase and the Kim Muir, but it is too early to say for certain where he will run.”

Ante-post odds are available with Betfair but just bare in mind that the Grand National is still a long way away in terms of horse racing and the entry date hasn’t even closed yet so you may lose your stake if you bet on a horse that ultimately does not run on the day.

Air Force One hasn’t raced competitively since April 2009, when he ran at Punchestown but trainer Charlie Mann has decided to take a chance on him for the 2010 Grand National following a positive and pleasing workout for Noel Fehily at Kempton.

The injury prone German eight year old has had several ups and downs in his career but Charlie Mann told racingpost.com on Tuesday: “Air Force One has endured all sorts of problems, including with a hock, but he worked like a dream over a mile and a half at Kempton. There is no doubt he’s on the way back.”

Part of his rehabilitation to get him back on form included time at the Equine Service Centre at Inglesham in Wiltshire, where he was exercised regularly on a water treadmill, that coupled with his steady performance for Noel Fehily and Mann said “He is ready for a run, but having got this far I’m not going to risk him on very soft ground. He may start off in the Aon Chase at Newbury because he needs a small field to boost his confidence.

He was initially listed for the Grand National last year but ultimately didn’t make the final cut of forty starters. This year he has been registered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he has ante post odds of 66/1 with Paddy Power and Mann hopes that he will then go on and compete in the 2010 Grand National.