Grand National Entries Declared for 2019

The countdown towards the 2019 Grand National always picks up a bit of pace at the start of February. This is because we enter the first declaration stage where owners and trainers decide if their horses will be one of the many Grand National entries in 2019.

Yes, at this stage we’ve got 112 Grand National runners that will start their journey towards the actual race day on April 6th 2019.

The Grand National runners will have to get through various other declaration stages in February, March and April, with the final 2019 Grand National entries whittled down to forty runners just two days before the big race – this year that will be around 10 am on April 4th 2019.

The weights for the 2019 Grand National runners are also announced in February (12th) and this gives bookmakers and punters a better picture for chances the Grand National entries at that stage might have.

Grand National Runners – Declaration Stage 2019

31 January 2019

112 entries were announced yesterday for the 2019 Randox Health Grand National. A massive 47 of those (42%) being Irish-trained, while leading Irish trainer – Gordon Elliott, who won last year’s race, is responsible for 22 of the 2019 Grand National entries. He’s included the 2018 Grand National winner – Tiger Roll, plus also has last season’s Irish Grand National winner, General Principle and leading Grade One performer Outlander. All three are also owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who have won two of the last three Grand Nationals.

Of the home-based runners, the dual Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai has been given a 2019 Grand National entry by his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has won this race twice before, plus recent Sky Bet Chase winner Go Conquer is another potential 2019 Grand National runner with an entry at this stage too. The 2017 Grand National hero – One For Arthur – is also amongst the 2019 Grand National entries. This grey has been plagued with injury since that win but has returned this season and will be looking to become the first horse since Red Rum to regain a National.

Former British champion trainer – Paul Nicholls, who was successful in 2012 with Neptune Collonges, will be hoping to give Mr Grand National, Trevor Hemmings, a record fourth success win in the Grand National with Warriors Tale, while the Colin Tizzard yard has five 2019 Grand National entries that include this season’s Coral Welsh Grand National winner, Elegant Escape.

Last Grand National Winners stand Firm

Amongst the 2019 Grand National entries as this first declaration stage are the 2018 and 2017 winners, Tiger Roll and One For Arthur. The Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll will be looking to become the first back-to-back winner of the Grand National since Red Rum 1973/74. He’ll also be looking to give trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud their third wins in the race.

The 2017 Grand National winner – One For Arthur – is also in the latest entry stage. This 10-year-old only returned to the track this season after being injured and he’ll also be looking to repeat something the mighty Red Rum did, and that regains his Grand National status. Red Rum won the race in 1973, 1974 and again in 1977.

Trevor Hemmings, Mob-Handed Again

With the famous green, yellow and white silks, Trevor Hemmings has won the Grand National three times in the past. It’s no surprise to see him well represented amongst the early 2019 Grand National entries this year again.

His latest win came in 2015 with Many Clouds so he’ll be trying for a quick repeat. He’s got the Sue Smith-trained Vintage Clouds as a potential 2019 Grand National runner and with the Smith stable winning the Merseyside Marathon in 2013 they certainly know what’s required.

Lake View Lad for trainer Neil Alexander is another potential Hemmings-owned 2019 Grand National runner that holds an early entry, while the Paul Nicholls-trained Warriors Tale, who was pulled up in the 2018 Grand National after being hampered, will be looking to try his luck again. Nicholls won the race 2012.

2019 Grand Nation Betting & Market Movers

The 2018 Grand National winner – Tiger Roll – currently heads the betting with most bookmakers at around 25/1, but is as short at 16/1* in places. This season’s Welsh Grand National winner – Elegant Escape – has been a mover in the market too since the 2019 Grand National entries were announced and is generally sharing the favourites berth with Tiger Roll.

Last year’s runner-up Pleasant Company is priced between 25/1* and 33/1*, depending on who you bet with, while the 2017 winner – One For Arthur – is a best-price 40/1*, but some firms are taking less of a risk offering 25/1*.

*Odds are subject to change.

Interesting 2019 Grand National Early Entries

Elegant Escape

The Colin Tizzard yard are yet to win the Grand National but with the array of staying talent they’ve got you feel it’s only a matter of time before they are tasting victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase. Why? Well, they’ve also landed many other Nationals, including two Welsh Nationals and it’s the one horse that landed the 2018 Welsh version – Elegant Escape – that has been given 2019 Grand National entry.

Elegant Escape is Tizzard’s latest Welsh National winner after staying on well at Chepstow to take the race in 2018 and this contest looks right up his street. He’s another that will have his fair share of weight if making the final 2019 Grand National runners and if sure to attract plenty of interest from punters. If there was a negative it might be his age. He’s only 7 years-old and the last winner aged 7 to win the Grand National was in 1940!

Pleasant Company

The 2018 Grand National runner-up, Pleasant Company, is another that holds a 2019 Grand National entry at this stage. This Willie Mullins-trained 11 year-old will be looking to give his popular handler his second win in the race (Hedgehunter, 2005) and after finishing ninth in 2017 too then his experience will be a big asset. He finished well in heavy ground last year to go down by a diminishing head and you feel another few strides would have won. He’s sure to have a bigger burden to carry this year and at 11 years-old he’s not getting any younger. Having said, that we have seen three of the last 7 winners of the Grand National aged 11!

Ms Parfois

Ms Parfois will be looking to become the fourteenth mare to win the Grand National, but the last of those still came back in 1951 (Nickel Coin). This 8 year-old is a consistent sort that returned from wind surgery this season to run a fair sixth in the Ladbrokes Gold Trophy at Newbury. The Anthony Honeyball yard and her owners have even her an early 2019 Grand National entry and it’s easy to see why. She was also runner-up in the 4 mile race at the Cheltenham Festival so we know she stays and with three of the last four winners aged 8 years-old (including the last two) then she certainly gets a thumbs-up with regards to that trend.

*All odds subject to change.
VIEW ALL 2019 GRAND NATIONAl RUNNERS & RIDERS

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