Much speculation surrounds the possible entrants for the 2010 Grand National and one of the horses that seems to have a bit of buzz about it on the ante-post odds is Gone to Lunch.

Foaled in April 2000, Gone to Lunch is the Irish nine year old who is trained by farmer turned trainer Jeremy Scott, who works out of Higher Holworthy Farm, in Exmoor. He is owned by Gary Lever, who owns and has shares in four or five of the horses at Holworthy Farm.

A former Point to Pointer who moved on to Novice Hurdles in 2007, Gone To Lunch is looking likely to run in the 2010 Grand National, with antepost odds of 38/1 on Betfair, having ended last season in great form, going down by just half a length in the Scottish National, to Hello Bud. He then capped off the season with an excellent performance at the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, but again he was caught out, this time by Dessie Hughes’ Rare Bob.

He had an exceptional period in 07/08 but recently has a dip in form going from three back-to-back wins at the end of 2008 to his current P2-285. I should point out that during his best periods he has been paired with A.P. McCoy but has recently been taken out by a number of different jockeys including Barry Geraghty and Nick Schofield.

If his trainer can get him back on form and help him shed a few excess pounds he could be favourably handicapped for the Grand National. His current handicap mark would have seen him race off a pound less mark than Comply or Die, the 2008 National winner, so he therefore needs to drop his weight to be competitive in the 2010 Grand National – which shouldn’t be difficult with his bottomless stamina!

State of Play, bred from Hernando and Caprice and foaled 12th February 2000, and owned by Mr and Mrs William Rucker, ran all guns blazing to come fourth in the 2009 Grand National at Aintree, where he challenged for the lead at the second last, and looked for a while like he might go on and win the race.

State of Play, trained by Evan Williams and ridden by Paul Moloney, was a 14/1 favourite, but surprise winner Mon Mome was just too good on the day. State of Play’s stamina gave out in the last furlong, and he came in eighteen lengths behind Mon Mome at the finish. Jockey Paul Moloney said of State of Plays performance at the National: ‘He ran a blinder. Jumped brilliant, travelled great. He made two little mistakes before Becher’s, then found a second wind past Valentine’s and away I went again and thought I might win two out. He just didn’t quite quicken with the winner.’

State of Play is a great horse, having won the 2006 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and the 2008 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, but unfortunately consistency is not his strong point. The conclusion has been drawn that he is best when fresh, as four out of his five wins over fences have occurred when he has returned after an extended break.

It was considered that the nine year old bay gelding would be entered for the Charlie Hall Chase again this year, but he has a little too much weight around the middle! He was raced only three times last year, including the National, and it is likely that trainer Williams, of Aberogwrn Farm, who has to date trained over 300 winners, will more than likely race State of Play lightly for the rest of the year and aim for Aintree in 2010, to see if he can improve on last year’s placing.

For all the ante-post odds available on State of Play just go to Paddy Power.