National weights – what they say

Russell delighted with 2017 winner One For Arthur.

Trainer Lucinda Russell – One For Arthur (10st 2lb)

“I’m pleased – 10st 2lb is a lovely weight. If the weights go up a bit that will be fine, and if they don’t that would be even better.

“He’s 6lb lower than he was last year (finished sixth) and he’s on the same mark as when he won the National three years ago.

“I think he’s in better form than he was this time last year, certainly we’re a lot more relaxed. I think he might even be in better form than he was the year he won the National.

“We’d like to get a run in (at Haydock on Saturday), but we’ll have to see what the weather does – good old February!”

Trainer Robert Walford – Walk In The Mill (10st 4lb)

“I’m very happy with the weight he’s got and the horse seems in great form.

“You won’t see him again before Aintree. We’ve just got to try to keep him in one piece between now and then.

“In an ideal world we’d like soft ground, but that’s probably unlikely as the ground dries out so quick there.

“You never know, I suppose. Proper soft ground would be ideal.”

Trainer Christian Williams – Potters Corner (10st 6lb)

“I’m happy with the weight, it’s what we expected and we’re looking forward to it now. If you thought about it you could guess what he’d have.

“We’re going to France next. He’s been before, it suits him and it’s good money. Then there’s four weeks to the National.

“I don’t think he needs the ground soft. Aintree is a big, galloping track and he’s not just a plodder. We had a dry winter last year and he still showed solid form. It’s never quick on National day anymore.”

Trainer Willie Mullins – Cadmium (11st 2lb), Total Recall (10st 13lb), Voix Du Reve (10st 12lb), Burrows Saint (10st 10lb), Pleasant Company (10st 7lb), Acapella Bourgeois (10st 6lb), Chef Des Obeaux (10st 3lb), Class Conti (10st 3lb), Cabaret Queen (9st 13lb)

“Total Recall won the Thyestes – I’d expect this would be no problem for him.

“Cadmium probably won’t run. I ran him over three miles at Leopardstown and it didn’t work out.

“Pleasant Company has been placed in it before. He’s probably a bit on the agey side now. We were planning to qualify him at Punchestown but that has been lost, hopefully it might be on next week. He wasn’t himself earlier in the season, we’ll keep spring in mind for him.

“Class Conti might go and Chef Des Obeaux. I’m hoping they’ll all get in. They all stay and jump.”

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies – Bristol De Mai (11st 8lb), Ballyoptic (10st 11lb), Crievehill (10st 8lb), Cogry (9st 12lb), Flying Angel (9st 12lb), The Hollow Ginge (9st 12lb), Townshend (9st 10lb)

“Bristol will head for the Gold Cup and then we’ll see what happens. Ballyoptic will definitely run in the National – he was still going well when he fell last year.

“Crievehill will head to Kempton for the old Racing Post Chase, that’s been a decent National trial in the past. I’m pleased with him.

“Cogry has been running brilliantly all season, he needs the (National) distance – he’ll love it.

“The Hollow Ginge won the other day and is a good jumper, Flying Angel has been round there before, too. Townshend is also back to form now.

“All the others will run if they get in, but with Bristol we just need to wait and see. If he wins the Gold Cup then he won’t run in the National. He’s only young still, so he might go next year.”

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Willie Mullins Grand National Lucinda Russell Robert Walford

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