RACING/News: The Handicapper in Britain, Phil Smith, has thrown down the gauntlet to the owners and trainers of some of the top steeplechasers by offering them the chance to take part in this year's Aintree Grand National on potentially-favourable terms.
By compressing the weights for the 155th running of the world's most famous race, senior jumps handicapper Smith has given the connections of top-notch chasers such as Florida Pearl, Behrajan and Marlborough every encouragement to line-up in the £500,000 contest on April 6th.
Having previously considered the Aintree spectacular as just a "possibility" for his stable star Florida Pearl, trainer Willie Mullins yesterday admitted: "I will need to have some long discussions with the owner - the handicapper has certainly given us an incentive to run." Mullins was present as the weights were officially unveiled in London yesterday.
"Before First Gold became a doubtful runner I had already decided that Florida Pearl was going to be top-weight as his recent form was the most credible," Smith explained.
"Florida Pearl is set to carry 7lb less than he would do in a three-mile chase and the rest proportionally less - Behrajan 4lb less, Rince Ri and Marlborough 3lb less and so on.
"Having good-quality horses in the race adds to the attraction of the Grand National and when there is half a million pounds in prize-money on offer I want to try and attract good horses. "There are about 12 or 13 horses in Britain and Ireland rated 160 or higher who have a realistic chance of winning the Gold Cup.
"They can't all win that so I would like to give him another chance in a very valuable race." Florida Pearl has been set to carry 11st 12lb with First Gold (out for the season with injury) next on 11st 11lb, followed by Behrajan and Rince Ri who are both 11st 8lb.
As well as Florida Pearl, Mullins also has Alexander Banquet (11st 6lb) in the field and said: "We'll have a fresh look at the race for both of them after they have run in the Hennessy (at Leopardstown) on Sunday.
"We will have to have some serious discussions with the owners. Looking at the statistics my worry would be that only two horses in the last 20 years have carried more than 11st to victory. Alexander Banquet jumps and stays well and he'd relish soft ground.
"Florida Pearl has the option of Aintree or Punchestown after Cheltenham but there are no plans to run Alexander Banquet again in Ireland so the National might just be the plan for him - I'd be very tempted."
However, Meath trainer Tony Martin said: "I am not at all pleased as Davids Lad is rated 147 but he looks to be on a mark of 152 in the National - he is 5lb higher in England than he is in Ireland. A lot of Irish trainers are upset by this. If our horses aren't treated right we won't bring them - we'll stay at home or race in France."
Meanwhile, today's meeting at Chepstow has been called off because of the weather and tomorrow's Clonmel meeting is off as the track is unraceable.
