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The 2011 John Smith's Grand National weights were announced, on February 15th 2011, for the 101 entries that were received for this year's race. BHA Head Of Handicapping, Phil Smith, has now declared the official weights for the toughest Steeple Chase in the world and joint heaviest are Don't Push It and Neptune Collonges, both on 11-10. In thoroughly modern fashion, and a with a twist to the usual proceedings, Aintree Racecourse tweeted the top five in the weights at 11am, half an hour before the official announcement at the 2011 John Smith's Grand National Official Launch in London. Phil Smith capped the weights this year at 11-10 and the two horses that received the top weight were the Jonjo O'Neill trained Don't Push It (2010 Grand National Winner) and the Paul Nicholls trained Neptune Collonges. They are followed by Tidal Bay (11-09), Midnight Chase (11-08), Deep Purple (11-07), Tranquil Sea (11-07) and Synchronised (11-06). Historically, it's a massive advantage for horses to weigh less than 11-01 in order to win the Grand National, the exception being Don't Push It who won in 2010 carrying 11-05, the heaviest winner since 1982. With a maximum field of 40 runners, the handicapped weight of the horses is of paramount importance. To higher the weight, the more likely it is that a spot is guaranteed on the day. The lower the weight given, the more unlikely the horse will make final declarations before the race. Last year, 2010, no horse lower than 79th position in the weights at this stage got into the race, suggesting that any horse allotted less than 10st in 2011 will struggle to make the final cut. Essentially that means that some of the ante-post favourites for the bookies, such as Junior, Carronhills, Giles Cross and I'moncloudnine are unlikely to make the starting line-up. Oscar Time is the horse that has seen the greatest movement with the bookies, going from virtual obscurity to third favourite with Paddy Power Bookmakers and he could be one to watch for an each-way bet. He's been given a good weight of 10-09, he's the right age, and solid Irish horse who has good form. However, he prefers Heavy ground so that could be his Achilles heal. The highest ranked ante-post favourite to do the best in the weights is Ballabriggs who's been given 11-00 and this could be just what he needs to make his mark this year. As a result he is now the firm ante-post favourite with the bookmakers. The John Smiths Aintree Grand National is a Class 1, Grade 3 steeple chase with a total prize fund of £950,000. The race takes place in Aintree on Saturday, April 9, 2011, covers four miles and four furlongs and is open to six-year-olds and upwards.
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