2015 Grand National runner profile: Ballycasey
Published:
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
