State Of Play

State of Play ran all guns blazing to come fourth in the 2009 Grand National at Aintree, where he challenged for the lead at the second last and for a short while even looked like he could win it.

He’s trained by Evan Williams and was ridden by Paul Moloney and started the race a 14/1 favourite but ultimately came in eighteen lengths behind Mon Mome at the finish.

Jockey Paul Moloney said of State of Plays performance at the National: He ran a blinder. Jumped brilliant, travelled great. He made two little mistakes before Becher’s, then found a second wind past Valentine’s and away I went again and thought I might win two out. He just didn’t quite quicken with the winner.

In the 2010 Grand National he came in 3rd place behind Don’t Push It and Black Apalachi, giving great value for money on those who had back ed him each-way! So things were looking very good for him again 2011 and with odds around 28/1 he was, once again, one to watch for that all important each-way bet.

And he didn’t disappoint. Coming home in fourth place, at odds of about 24/1 he made a lot of punters very happy but with three Grand Nationals under his belt and the years creeping up on him, it’s unlikely that he will run again in 2012 though there are ante-post odds of 33/1 available on him for anybody who fancies the long-shot!