2015 Grand National runner profile: Ballycasey

David Metcalf | 09.04.2015

Ballycasey

Age: 8

Weight: 10st 13lb

Owner: Susannah Ricci

Trainer: Willie Mullins. Grand National record – 2000 Micko’s Dream (FELL 1st); 2002 Alexander Banquet (UR 6th); 2004 Alexander Banquet (FELL 18th), Hedgehunter (FELL 30th); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th), Homer Wells (PU 22nd), Bothar Na (PU 29th), Livingstonebramble (UR 6th); 2008 Snowy Morning (3rd), Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 Snowy Morning (9th), Irish Invader (11th); 2010 Snowy Morning (6th), Arbor Supreme (UR 15th); 2011 The Midnight Club (6th), Dooney’s Gate (Fell 6th), Arbor Supreme (FELL 28th); 2012 The Midnight Club (11th), Quiscover Fontaine (FELL 17th), On His Own (FELL 22nd); 2013 Quiscover Fontaine (16th), Quel Esprit (PU 24th), On His Own (FELL 25th); 2014 Vesper Bell (13th), Prince De Beauchene (16th).

Jockey: Ruby Walsh. Grand National record – 2000 PAPILLON (WON); 2001 Papillon (4th); 2002 Kingsmark (4th); 2003 Shotgun Willy (PU 22nd); 2005 HEDGEHUNTER (WON); 2006 Hedgehunter (2nd); 2007 Hedgehunter (9th); 2008 Hedgehunter (13th); 2009 My Will (3rd); 2011 The Midnight Club (6th); 2013 On His Own (FELL 25th)

Form: 1/113/114F-2173P

*His career highlight came when beating Don Cossack by four lengths in the Grade 1e Dr P J Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown in February, 2014.

*Sole victory since came in 2m 4f chase at Gowran Park in November.

*His dam is out of a half-sister to 1995 Grand National winner Royal Athlete.

*Has yet to win beyond 2m 6f, but has been placed over 3m on several occasions.

*Last seen out when pulled up in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 12.

*The most recent of three greys to win was Neptune Collonges in 2012. Before that were Nicolaus Silver (1961) and The Lamb (1868 & 1871).

Race record: Starts: 13; Wins: 6; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 2. Win & Place Prize Money: £125,954