The Crabbie's Grand National Grade 3 handicap chase, £1,000,000 total prize fund. 5.15pm, Saturday, April 9, 2016, four miles, two and a half furlongs (4m 2f 74yds). For seven-year-olds and upwards which, up to and including March 21, have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase with an official distance description of 'about three miles' or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 14. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 14 would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 14. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. Entries closed, February 2, entries revealed February 3 (126 entries ).Weights revealed February 16. First scratchings deadline March 1, second scratchings deadline March 22. Five-day confirmation stage April 4, final declarations 10am, April 7. Maximum field 40 runners.
Horse Age/Wgt Rating Owner Trainer 1) MANY CLOUDS (IRE) 9-11-10 165 Trevor Hemmings Oliver Sherwood 2) DON POLI (IRE) 7-11-09 164 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE 3) SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 10-11-08 163 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls 4) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 10-11-07 162 J P McManus John Kiely IRE 5) VALSEUR LIDO (FR) 7-11-06 161 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE 6) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 9-11-05 160 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams 7) FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 11-11-04 159 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE 8) FOXROCK (IRE) 8-11-03 158 Barry Connell Ted Walsh IRE 9) WONDERFUL CHARM (FR) 8-11-03 158 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls 10) BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 10-11-02 157 Allan Stennett David Pipe
11) THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 9-11-02 157 Robert and Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard 12) GILGAMBOA (IRE) 8-11-01 156 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE 13) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 10-11-01 156 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE 14) O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE) 9-11-01 156 Trembath, Hyde, Outhart & Hill Rebecca Curtis 15) ON HIS OWN (IRE) 12-11-01 156 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE 16) SAM WINNER (FR) 9-11-01 156 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls 17) THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) 9-11-00 155 The Stonehenge Druids Neil Mulholland 18) TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 9-11-00 155 Sandy & Caroline Orr Nicky Henderson 19) WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) 7-11-00 155 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 20) ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 10-10-13 154 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
21) ROI DU MEE (FR) 11-10-13 154 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 22) SIR DES CHAMPS (FR) 10-10-13 154 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE 23) HOLYWELL (IRE) 9-10-12 153 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill 24) SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 9-10-11 152 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 25) SOLL 11-10-11 152 Derrick Mossop David Pipe 26) AACHEN 12-10-10 151 Tony Bloom Venetia Williams 27) BOSTON BOB (IRE) 11-10-10 151 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE 28) BUYWISE (IRE) 9-10-10 151 T Hywel Jones Evan Williams 29) TURBAN (FR) 9-10-10 151 Edward O'Connell Willie Mullins IRE 30) DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) 10-10-09 150 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies
31) MORNING ASSEMBLY (IRE) 9-10-09 150 Clipper Logistics Group Ltd Pat Fahy IRE 32) GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) 10-10-08 149 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE 33) GOONYELLA (IRE) 9-10-08 149 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE 34) LE REVE (IRE) 8-10-08 149 Pat Betts Lucy Wadham 35) LONG RUN (FR) 11-10-08 149 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen 36) ONENIGHTINVIENNA (IRE) 7-10-08 149 Judith Luff Philip Hobbs 37) THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 8-10-08 149 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey 38) UCELLO CONTI (FR) 8-10-08 149 Simon Munir Gordon Elliott IRE 39) UNIONISTE (FR) 8-10-08 149 John Hales Paul Nicholls 40) BEAR'S AFFAIR (IRE) 10-10-07 148 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson
41) KRUZHLININ (GER) 9-10-07 148 Paul & Clare Rooney Philip Hobbs 42) RULE THE WORLD 9-10-07 148 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE 43) BALLYCASEY (IRE) 9-10-06 147 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 44) BLACK THUNDER (FR) 9-10-06 147 Donlon, MacDonald, Fulton & Webb Paul Nicholls 45) HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 9-10-06 147 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson 46) JUST A PAR (IRE) 9-10-06 147 Graham Roach & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls 47) KATENKO (FR) 10-10-06 147 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams 48) LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE) 10-10-06 147 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE 49) THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) 8-10-06 147 Gigginstown House Stud Sandra Hughes IRE 50) VICS CANVAS (IRE) 13-10-06 147 Bodeen Bandits Partnership Dermot McLoughlin IRE
51) KATKEAU (FR) 9-10-05 146 Prof Caroline Tisdall, J A Gent, R C Wilkin David Pipe 52) MENDIP EXPRESS (IRE) 10-10-05 146 David Maxwell Racing Limited Philip Hobbs 53) PENDRA (IRE) 8-10-05 146 J P McManus Charlie Longsdon 54) SAINT ARE (FR) 10-10-05 146 David Fox Tom George 55) SPRING HEELED (IRE) 9-10-05 146 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE 56) VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 7-10-05 146 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe 57) HOME FARM (IRE) 9-10-04 145 Chris Jones Henry de Bromhead IRE 58) MON PARRAIN (FR) 10-10-04 145 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls 59) THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 9-10-04 145 Trembath & Outhart Rebecca Curtis 60) BISHOPS ROAD (IRE) 8-10-03 144 Alan Halsall Kerry Lee
61) KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 7-10-03 144 Tim Radford Mick Channon 62) OPEN HEARTED 9-10-03 144 Craig Buckingham Dan Skelton 63) SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) 9-10-03 144 Axom (XXXVI) Emma Lavelle 64) ALVARADO (IRE) 11-10-02 143 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O'Brien 65) HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) 10-10-02 143 Bowes Lodge Stables James Moffatt 66) MAGGIO (FR) 11-10-02 143 Douglas Pryde/James Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE 67) PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) 9-10-02 143 ISL Recruitment Fergal O'Brien 68) PINEAU DE RE (FR) 13-10-02 143 John Provan Dr Richard Newland 69) PRESENT VIEW 8-10-02 143 Sir Chips Keswick Jamie Snowden 70) BALLY BEAUFORT (IRE) 8-10-01 142 Rob Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies
71) BENBENS (IRE) 11-10-01 142 Sarah Such & C G Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies 72) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 8-10-01 142 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE 73) DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) 10-10-01 142 J P McManus Martin Brassil 74) MIDNIGHT PRAYER 11-10-01 142 The Legends Partnership Alan King 75) MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) 11-10-01 142 Hartley Phillips Roseff Shields Kerry Lee 76) ROYALE KNIGHT 10-10-01 142 Chris Stedman & R J Corsan Dr Richard Newland 77) BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 11-10-00 141 Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE 78) BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) 8-10-00 141 Jo Tracey David Pipe 79) CORRIN WOOD (IRE) 9-10-00 141 Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield Donald McCain 80) DARE TO ENDEAVOUR 9-10-00 141 Aidan Ryan Eric McNamara IRE
81) EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE) 9-10-00 141 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams 82) SPLASH OF GINGE 9-10-00 141 John Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies 83) ZIGA BOY (FR) 7-10-00 141 Axom LI Alan King 84) GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 10-9-13 140 The Three Graces Jim Best 85) GRAY HESSION (IRE) 9-9-13 140 Alan Gray Jonjo O'Neill 86) MILBOROUGH (IRE) 10-9-13 140 Helen Cross Ian Duncan 87) BOB FORD (IRE) 9-9-12 139 The JJ Partnership Rebecca Curtis 88) NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) 10-9-12 139 Richard Collins Keith Reveley 89) OUR FATHER (IRE) 10-9-12 139 The Ives & Johnson Families Gordon Elliott IRE 90) ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) 8-9-12 139 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
91) RUSSE BLANC (FR) 9-9-12 139 Mark Jackson Kerry Lee 92) SEABASS (IRE) 13-9-12 139 Gunners Syndicate Ted Walsh IRE 93) FIREBIRD FLYER (IRE) 9-9-11 138 R E R Williams Evan Williams 94) MR MOONSHINE (IRE) 12-9-11 138 D Pryde, J Beaumont, D van der Hoeven 1 Sue Smith 95) OPERATING (IRE) 9-9-11 138 Paul & Clare Rooney Gordon Elliott IRE 96) PAINT THE CLOUDS 11-9-11 138 Peter Deal & Jill & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex 97) BIG WATER (IRE) 8-9-10 137 Elm Row Racing Syndicate Alan Swinbank 98) BENVOLIO (IRE) 9-9-09 136 Patricia Thompson Paul Nicholls 99) COGRY 7-9-09 136 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies 100) NO SECRETS (IRE) 12-9-09 136 Malcolm Denmark Tony Martin IRE
101) SUMMERY JUSTICE (IRE) 12-9-09 136 Mrs H Brown Venetia Williams 102) AMIGO (FR) 9-9-08 135 A L Cohen & Willsford Racing David Pipe 103) COMPETITIVE EDGE (IRE) 9-9-08 135 J P McManus Conor O'Dwyer IRE 104) GOLDEN CHIEFTAIN (IRE) 11-9-08 135 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard 105) DOING FINE (IRE) 8-9-07 134 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis 106) DROMNEA (IRE) 9-9-07 134 Ann Daly Mouse Morris IRE 107) GOLDEN WONDER (IRE) 10-9-07 134 P M Cooney Sandra Hughes IRE 108) INDIAN CASTLE (IRE) 8-9-07 134 Askew Dick Hernon Reynard Ian Williams 109) RIVAGE D'OR (FR) 11-9-07 134 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE 110) STANDING OVATION (IRE) 9-9-07 134 The Bravo Partnership David Pipe
111) IKORODU ROAD 13-9-06 133 W J Odell Graeme McPherson 112) NED STARK (IRE) 8-9-06 133 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King 113) RATHLIN 11-9-06 133 Masters Of The Hall 2 Micky Hammond 114) RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 11-9-06 133 Andrew Wiles Venetia Williams 115) WYCK HILL (IRE) 12-9-06 133 J P McManus David Bridgwater 116) PORTRAIT KING (IRE) 11-9-04 131 James Beaumont & Douglas Pryde Patrick Griffin IRE 117) WOODFORD COUNTY 9-9-04 131 The Englands and Heywoods Philip Hobbs 118) ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 13-9-03 130 Cash Is King Martin Keighley 119) DARK LOVER (GER) 11-9-03 130 The Dark Lovers Jamie Snowden 120) SEEBRIGHT 9-9-03 130 Mrs D J Fleming Victor Dartnall
121) GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) 10-9-02 129 Favourites Racing Ltd David Dennis 122) SAROQUE (IRE) 9-9-02 129 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams 123) TOUR DES CHAMPS (FR) 9-9-02 129 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies 124) AERLITE SUPREME (IRE) 9-9-01 128 M J Haines Evan Williams 125) FINANCIAL CLIMATE (IRE) 9-9-01 128 Sara Fillery & Friends Oliver Sherwood 126) HARRY THE VIKING 11-9-01 128 Jim Beaumont & Quona Thomson Sandy Thomson
I think the current 10-02s or 10-01s will be where it stops and as there's a few of them the handicap marks at the time (which decide the order) will be crucial imo.
I think the current 10-02s or 10-01s will be where it stops and as there's a few of them the handicap marks at the time (which decide the order) will be crucial imo.
G1. Why do you think the number will be as high on the list as 56 that misses out?
That would be a massive turnaround from previous years.... 68 on the list is the highest up there not to get in in the last 15 years.
G1. Why do you think the number will be as high on the list as 56 that misses out?That would be a massive turnaround from previous years.... 68 on the list is the highest up there not to get in in the last 15 years.
This has caught a few on the hop. Barring the obvious ones aren't we almost looking at decs already? Not going to go anywhere near as low as I and many others thought
Possible this will be the shape of things to come as a) the prize money is now monumentally attractive and b) because of that it costs a fair amount to enter and stay in through various stages
This has caught a few on the hop. Barring the obvious ones aren't we almost looking at decs already? Not going to go anywhere near as low as I and many others thought Possible this will be the shape of things to come as a) the prize money is now mon
I have backed Bishops Road . I am far from confident of getting a run . Everybody tells me that he must get in but I cannot see where the eight NRs are.
I have backed Bishops Road . I am far from confident of getting a run . Everybody tells me that he must get in but I cannot see where the eight NRs are.
Bishops Road will only be entered in the Topham just in case he doesn't get in national.
Possible non runners imo. Carlingford Lough. Not heard this is definitely the target, though would seem like a horse who would get the trip.Pulled out of race late last year.Mcmanus does like running horses in this though. Ballynagour. A fragile sort who has been out of form. Every chance he doesn't take up his entry. O'Faolains Boy. Think he will only run if the romford pele doesn't personally. Gilgamboa. Surely will have other options over shorter. Has not shown any sign of staying this trip so far.Caveat that owner loves having runners. Turban. If we are to believe the trainer!?! his target is the Topham. Unlikely to run i'd suggest. Living Next Door. Declared for Irish National.
From Turban down to Spring Heeled(excluding Living Next Door) it is hard to see any withdrawing out of choice.
However, you would expect 2 horses to get injured between now and the race. Hope its not one i've backed though.
My best guess is now that Bishops Road will be last one in.
Bishops Road will only be entered in the Topham just in case he doesn't get in national.Possible non runners imo.Carlingford Lough. Not heard this is definitely the target, though would seem like a horse who would get the trip.Pulled out of race late
Just can't see Highland Lodge getting in and he would have to draw lots with PDR.I think last year only 6 or 7 came out after Easter so Bishops Road-Knock House would be my guess.
Just can't see Highland Lodge getting in and he would have to draw lots with PDR.I think last year only 6 or 7 came out after Easter so Bishops Road-Knock House would be my guess.
Yes, I think it is looking bleak for him getting a run. Pity as he would have been a very lively outsider at 50s and ticked every stat going except for a recent run.
Yes, I think it is looking bleak for him getting a run. Pity as he would have been a very lively outsider at 50s and ticked every stat going except for a recent run.
On my knees for Bishops Road to get in too. Going to be really tight. Racing Post has him listed below Knock House but I reckon he's above him as they're on the same weight which should be ordered by current highest O/R.
On my knees for Bishops Road to get in too. Going to be really tight. Racing Post has him listed below Knock House but I reckon he's above him as they're on the same weight which should be ordered by current highest O/R.
Highland Lodge is not entered for The Topham . That would suggest to me that connections are confident of getting in as the horse would be 6 better off in the shorter race.
Highland Lodge is not entered for The Topham . That would suggest to me that connections are confident of getting in as the horse would be 6 better off in the shorter race.
Hard to know Tyson. Personally I havent seen anything to suggest he could stay the National trip, but they felt he was worth a go last year and he fell so early they might want to try again.
Hard to know Tyson. Personally I havent seen anything to suggest he could stay the National trip, but they felt he was worth a go last year and he fell so early they might want to try again.
I would be amazed if he got in since Perfect Candidate/ Maggio should leapfrog Pineau De Re, Alvorado and Highland Lodge. If I have interpreted the rules correctly.
I would be amazed if he got in since Perfect Candidate/ Maggio should leapfrog Pineau De Re, Alvorado and Highland Lodge.If I have interpreted the rules correctly.
Do I get my Pineau dosh back on here if it is a NR? Bit of a miscalculation by some trainers I think with loads you'd ordinarily expect to get in oot and no where to go. Still that's quality and compression and way of the world because Chelters in many respects exactly same. No room for error or chance.
Do I get my Pineau dosh back on here if it is a NR? Bit of a miscalculation by some trainers I think with loads you'd ordinarily expect to get in oot and no where to go. Still that's quality and compression and way of the world because Chelters in ma
all this about horses not getting in, if owners or trainers allowed them to run more frequently and achieve a higher rating then it wouldn't be a problem. People must know the game by now if your going to be 60/70 in the list you are unlikely to figure, as such you need to run the horse in the hope of getting its rating up rather than play cat and mouse and hope to sneak in number 40. Personally i could only see a max 10 coming out which would take us down to whatever is currently 50.
all this about horses not getting in, if owners or trainers allowed them to run more frequently and achieve a higher rating then it wouldn't be a problem. People must know the game by now if your going to be 60/70 in the list you are unlikely to figu
It would be nice if the race had a 4 or 5lb OPTIONAL penalty system. That way the Silvianacos and Many Clouds of this world can be campaigned freely as they would decline the kind offer of a penalty should they win, while yer Bishops Roads and Cause Of Causes would say thanks very much and move up the order, allowing in-form horses to leapfrog their possibly out-of-form, stale and stagnant contemporaries.
It would be nice if the race had a 4 or 5lb OPTIONAL penalty system. That way the Silvianacos and Many Clouds of this world can be campaigned freely as they would decline the kind offer of a penalty should they win, while yer Bishops Roads and Cause
My thoughts on what the actual order is outside the top 40. Why the RP and others can't get this sorted I don't know, it's clearly going to play a big part:
41st Saint Are 42nd Ballot between Pendra and Spring Heeled 44th Vieux Lion Rouge 45th Katkeau 46th Ballot between Home Farm and The Romford Pele 48th Bishops Road 49th Knock House 50th Present View 51st Perfect Candidate 52nd Maggio 53rd Ballot between Pineau De Re and Highland Lodge 55th Alvarado
My thoughts on what the actual order is outside the top 40. Why the RP and others can't get this sorted I don't know, it's clearly going to play a big part:41st Saint Are42nd Ballot between Pendra and Spring Heeled44th Vieux Lion Rouge45th Katkeau46
Headmaster - I like the idea of the weights being movable. The sheer size of the national's prize pot distorts the whole season for these horses and some flexibility (maybe option of Feb weight or current weight?) would help a lot.
Headmaster - I like the idea of the weights being movable. The sheer size of the national's prize pot distorts the whole season for these horses and some flexibility (maybe option of Feb weight or current weight?) would help a lot.
Interesting thoughts My take on the National now is that with the prize money so high and the course being made 'easier' more and more quality horses will be aimed for the race. I believe the days of laying one out for the race could be numbered, trying to sneak one in at the bottom of the handicap could work against the trainers now because there are more higher rated horses being entered. I will use one of my fancies for the race Home Farm as a perfect example. HF ran a mighty race as a 6yo in the Irish Grand National and I'm pretty sure the plan was hatched to have a crack at the National back then. History says the best chance of winning is being a 9 or 10yo. 2015 he was entered and was allocated 11-02, connections probably thought that was too high, HF did run in Coneygree's Gold Cup after the weights were published and even though he Pulled up connections obviously thought it was worth a shot. Come 2016 and after only one run over hurdles this season HF gets allocated 10-04, now I presume connections were very happy with this mark, another run since over hurdles to sharpen him up and hes ready to go to Aintree, but hang on will he get in (hopefully he will) A lot of horses have been trained this way over the years but like I said earlier things could be about to change.
As I go through the runners it seems a shame that the race could be missing a previous winner in Pineau De Re and placed horses like Alvarado (twice) and Double Seven, last years Second is still only 41 on the list !!!!! On top of that we have improving horses such as Bishops Road, This seasons Becher and Welsh National winners and recent Cheltenham winner Cause of Causes looking likely to miss the race when others above them are making up the numbers.
How can that be ?
I don't know what others reckon but I think it would be a good idea to have win and your in races (like the all weather champs day recently)
I would give all winners of previous Aintree Nationals a free pass that seasons Hennessy, Becher, Welsh National and any Cheltenham Festival 3 mile+ Chase winner an automatic entry
Phil Smith and the gang could think of something along these lines to get the best horses in the National come raceday
Interesting thoughtsMy take on the National now is that with the prize money so high and the course being made 'easier' more and more quality horses will be aimed for the race.I believe the days of laying one out for the race could be numbered, tryin
Win and you're in or free passes look dangerous to me. You'll end up letting washed up has beens into the race for the latter and horses that could be a stone out the weights for the former.
Optional penalties surely the way to go?
Win and you're in or free passes look dangerous to me. You'll end up letting washed up has beens into the race for the latter and horses that could be a stone out the weights for the former. Optional penalties surely the way to go?
Yes the race has changed totally in recent years, in an effort to entice the better horses the top weight is now 11-10 why? what was wrong with 12-00 Red Rum carried it in 1974 the 11-10 ceiling obviously favours those at the top end of the weights with the compression of the weights, with the modified fences surely the class horses find it just as easy as running around a park course also the great prizemoney on offer encourages the classier types to run it wont be too many years down the line that the number of horses is decreased to possibly 30 runners and a weight range of no more than 10lbs, yes it had to change to suit the politically correct brigade but it isn't the grand national I grew up with, as long as every horse returns safe we can breathe a sigh of relief for another 12 months
Yes the race has changed totally in recent years, in an effort to entice the better horses the top weight is now 11-10 why? what was wrong with 12-00 Red Rum carried it in 1974 the 11-10 ceiling obviously favours those at the top end of the weights w
Could be a mix of both our thoughts 'The Headmaster' They obviously read this Forum ;)
RP story today
AINTREE will hold wide-ranging discussions on the conditions for the first Randox Health Grand National in 2017 after qualification issues were brought to a head by the likelihood that former winner Pineau De Re and Aintree specialists Alvarado and Highland Lodge will miss the cut for Saturday's race.
After BHA head of handicapping Phil Smith on Tuesday reordered runners below the 40-horse cut-off point who were on the same weight, Haydock Grand National Trial winner Bishops Road moved up a place to 41 and needs only one above him to come out, but Pineau De Re has dropped to 46, Highland Lodge to 47 and Alvarado to 48.
Aintree boss John Baker said: "The Grand National is evolving and has taken a different form over the last few years. The quality of the race improves all the time, which we wanted, but that has consequences.
"In the old days you could not have envisaged horses like Pineau De Re and Alvarado missing out, but having so many good horses looking to get into the race is a nice problem to have."
'Win and you're in' a possibility
So-called 'win and you're in' races will be high on the list when the Aintree team have their annual wash-up.
Baker said: "We want the Becher Chase to be a proper Grand National Trial and to connect the two races. Highland Lodge, this season's winner, might not get in, so that could possibly be a ‘win and you are in' race, and similarly the Haydock Grand National Trial, because although Bishops Road may well get in now, there was a danger he wouldn't."
The Grand National is traditionally free of penalties, but Baker said Aintree might look into "something a little quirky like optional penalties", which connections might accept with a runner who looked borderline to make the cut but decline if guaranteed a run.
Automatic qualification for previous winners or placed horses is less likely, however.
Baker said: "You could win a National at eight and still be racing five years later when rated down in the 120s. Would you really want one like that in?"
BHA open to discussions
Any proposals from Aintree's side will need approval from the BHA, but the authority is increasingly open to innovative race conditions.
Spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "We would never rule any suggestions out before we have had a chance to consider any proposals fully.
"The current entry and handicapping approach seems to be working well, with the race going from strength to strength and arguably in 2016 producing the strongest ever running of the race.
"We would, however, be happy to discuss any proposals with Aintree or other stakeholders after this year's meeting has concluded."
Could be a mix of both our thoughts 'The Headmaster'They obviously read this Forum ;)RP story todayAINTREE will hold wide-ranging discussions on the conditions for the first Randox Health Grand National in 2017 after qualification issues were brought