The Grand National 2020 longlist of runners
The Grand National 2020 longlist of runners
The 2020 Grand National Festival at Aintree is less than one calendar month away, and preparations are really beginning to shape up for the elite runners and riders who are hoping to compete in that iconic and prestigious steeplechase.
It’s also been quite an eventful couple of months, with races at Warwick and Navan unveiling some surprise placements, as well as shock last minute withdrawals. In February, the full long list of Grand National entrants was released and it seemed like Irish trainer Gordon Elliott was putting forward an entire stable’s worth of horses, reigning and dual champion Tiger Roll being the stand out among them.
You can find the full Grand National 2020 longlist at the end of this article, but in the meantime here’s a recap of some of the most newsworthy National-related events to have happened over the past few weeks.
Grand National 2020 updates
2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River has unfortunately been withdrawn from both the National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year. Colin Tizzard’s capable veteran picked up a tendon injury during mid-February, and he decided to cut Native’s 2020 season short after several consultations with equine specialists.
The news was greeted by a number of unhappy punters tearing up their betting slips; According to betting odds specialists Oddschecker, the withdrawal of Native River has meant that total ante-post bets for the National are down by 7%.
On a slightly happier note, Tizzard and the team are optimistic for the ten year old’s future, even declaring that they’ll be aiming to take another shot at the National in 2021 when Native River is back to full health.
Following a health scare at the Grand National Trial at Haydock, 2017 National champ One For Arthur has been declared fit and healthy and is back on track to bid for a second win. After running an “uncharacteristically lifeless race” at Haydock, One For Arthur was suffering with arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. However, according to Lucinda Russell, the former winner’s trainer, by the next morning things were pretty much back to normal.
After a succession of tests he was found to be in good health - “everything is absolutely perfect with his heart...everything is great!” - and was cleared to commence Aintree preparations.
Another National veteran, Definitly Red had a fantastic time at Kelso - winning by a wide margin - and has since crept up to become one of the favourites for the main event on April 4th.
Brain Ellison’s game 11 year old was memorably knocked out of the race in 2017 after a collision at Beecher’s Brook unseated jockey Danny Cook. Returning this year, there’s clearly some unfinished business, and Ellison has total faith in his “proper stayer”, confirming that he has indeed “backed him for the National”, and that he’s in with a massive chance of being able to “spoil the Tiger Roll party”.
And speaking of Gordon Elliott’s remarkable little horse, things were a bit hit and miss back there in February for the two-time National champion. After the reigning champ was handed top weight by the BHA handicapper - a total of 11 stone 10 pounds - Tiger Roll’s owners told the Racing Post that it was 50-50 whether he’d actually be running on April 4th, or if the Betway Bowl would be a better choice.
After a comfortable run in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, where the sparky 10 year old finished in fifth place, Elliott confirmed that his star would indeed be running and he was “thrilled” with his progress so far.
Of course, this year Tiger Roll is attempting to go for the hat trick - three Grand National wins in three successive years. No horse in the history of the festival has ever pulled off a triple consecutive win, the closest being the mighty Red Rum, who memorably won in 1973, 74, and 77.
Grand National 2020 long list
The following is the full long list of runners for the National this year. In the days before the Festival, this list will be whittled down to a total of 40 runners, so stay up to date with the latest Grand National news to ensure your picks are still in the running.
The odds shown for each horse are correct at the time of writing
1. Tiger Roll (5/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
Current odds: 5/1
2. Bristol De Mai (20/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
3. Aso 10 (66/1)
Trained by: Venetia Williams
4. Elegant Escape (20/1)
Trained by: Colin Tizzard
5. Anibale Fly (20/1)
Trainer: Tony Martin
6. Top Ville Ben (33/1)
Trained by: Philip Kirby
7. Beware The Bear (33/1)
Trained by: Nicky Henderson
8. Peregrine Run (66/1)
Trained by: Peter Fahey
9. Jett (50/1)
Trained by: Jessica Harrington
10. Alpha Des Obeaux (25/1) 10 10-13
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
11. Total Recall (33/1)
Trained by: Wille Mullins
12. The Storyteller (33/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
13. Magic Of Light (16/1)
Trained by: Jessica Harrington
14. Talkischeap (25/1)
Trained by: Alan King
15. Yala Enki (28/1)
Trained by: Paul Nicholls
16. Ballyoptic (25/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
17. Burrows Saint (12/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
18. Definitly Red (14/1)
Trained by: Brian Ellison
19. Sub Lieutenant (33/1)
Trained by: Henry De Bromhead
20. Ok Corral (25/1)
Trained by: Nicky Henderson
21. Tout Est Permis (66/1)
Trained by: Noel Meade
22. Vintage Clouds (33/1)
Trained by: Sue Smith
23. Crievehill (66/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
24. Lake View Lad (50/1)
Trained by: Nick Alexander
25. Jury Duty (40/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
26. Pleasant Company (33/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
27. Acapella Bourgeois (33/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
28. Shattered Love (66/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
29. Any Second Now (12/1)
Trained by: Ted Walsh
30. Potters Corner (20/1)
Trained by: Christian Williams
31. Dounikos (50/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
32. Kildisart (50/1)
Trained by: Ben Pauling
33. Death Duty (50/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
34. Ramses De Teillee (66/1)
Trained by: David Pipe
35. Valtor (66/1)
Trained by: Nicky Henderson
36. Saint Xavier (66/1)
Trained by: Paul Nicholls
37. Warriors Tale (66/1)
Trained by: Paul Nicholls
38. Double Shuffle (100/1)
Trained by: Tom George
39. Kimberlite Candy (16/1)
Trained by: Tom Lacey
40. Walk In The Mill (16/1)
Trained by: Robert Walford
41. Traffic Fluide (33/1)
Trained by: Gary Moore
42. Chef Des Obeaux (40/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
43. Class Conti (50/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
44. One For Arthur (25/1)
Trained by: Lucinda Russell
45. Snugsborough Benny (50/1)
Trained by: Liam Cusack
46. Romain De Senam (100/1)
Trained by: Paul Nicholls
47. Lord Du Mesnil (50/1)
Trained by: Richard Hobson
48. Give Me A Copper (25/1)
Trained by: Paul Nicholls
50. Takingrisks (40/1)
Trained by: Nicky Richards
51. Dallas Des Pictons (50/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
52. Poker Party (66/1)
Trained by: Henry De Bromhead
53. Borice (40/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
54. Hogan's Height (40/1)
Trained by: Jamie Snowden
55. Regal Encore (66/1)
Trained by: Anthony Honeyball
56. Atlanta Ablaze (66/1)
Trained by: Henry Daly
57. Cabaret Queen (50/1)
Trained by: Willie Mullins
59. Dragon D'Estruval (66/1)
Trained by: Nicky Henderson
60. Outlander (150/1)
Trained by: Richard Spencer
61. Dalko Moriviere (66/1)
Trained by: Jerome Larrigade
62. Le Breuil (16/1)
Trained by: Ben Pauling
63. The Hollow Ginge (50/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
64. Dingo Dollar (40/1)
Trained by: Alan King
65. Flying Angel (66/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
66. A Toi Phil (50/1)
Trained by: Gary Moore
67. The Young Master (100/1)
Trained by: Neil Mulholland
68. Cogry (50/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
69. Monbeg Notorious (66/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
70. Mall Dini (40/1)
Trained by: Patrick G Kelly
71. Ravenhill (66/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
72. Townshend (66/1)
Trained by: Nigel Twiston-Davies
73. Fitzhenry (50/1)
Trained by: Paul Nolan
74. Joe Farrell (50/1)
Trained by: Rebecca Curtis
75. Vieux Lion Rouge (66/1)
Trained by: David Pipe
76. Roaring Bull ( 50/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
77. Ami Desbois (100/1)
Trained by: Graeme McPherson
78. Moonshine Bay (100/1)
Trained by: Jessica Harrington
79. Out Sam (100/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
80. Fingerontheswitch (50/1)
Trained by: Neil Mulholland
81. Singlefarmpayment (100/1)
Trained by: Tom George
82. Soupy Soups (100/1)
Trained by: Neil Mulholland
83. Kilfilum Cross (100/1)
Trained by: Henry Oliver
84. Spider Web (66/1)
Trained by: Thomas Mullins
85. General Principle (80/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
86. Scoir Mear (150/1)
Trained by: Thomas Mullins
87. Rathlin Rose (150/1)
Trained by: David Pipe
88. Disco D'Authie (66/1)
Trained by: David Cottin
89. Prince of Scars (100/1)
Trained by: Gordon Elliott