Grand National Betting Preview

Teaforthree is the market leader (at the time of writing) for the Aintree Grand National on Saturday, the biggest race of the season and probably the hardest to pick the winner of. The ten-year-old was third in the race last year and clearly knows what it takes to get around the course and with a drop in weight from last year is a worthy favourite. That being said no horse since Amberleigh House in 2004 has won the race since placing the previous year and this more than any other race in the entire year is one where it pays to oppose the favourite. The classiest horse in the field is no doubt Long Run who has already won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George. On the downside the horse is error prone when jumping at times and might be punished on an unforgiving Aintree track.

Monbeg Dude is a former Welsh National winner so has to be respected though this is another horse with a patchy jumping record and at this price is another who does not appeal.

The choice of Tony McCoy always has to be respected as nobody knows the business like the 18 time Champion Jockey. Trainer Martin Brassil has previous in this with Numberisxvalverde and Double Seven is his runner this year. Two regional national victories in Ireland suggest a horse targeted for this and I will add this horse to my portfolio.

The veteran Tidal Bay is next in the market and is a horse that can jump all day and at the age of 13 with decades of races behind him as has only come down at fences once before. That being said he carries a lot of weight and age must count against him. Rocky Creek is an interesting youngster at the age of eight who was moved here after missing out on the Gold Cup and while this is a talented horse, it might just be a season too soon for it.

Balthazar King is the king of cross country and the Cheltenham star was going going well here last year after leading over the first circuit. Sure to be a popular amongst some but others offer more appeal at the prices.

Burton Point comes from the Nicky Henderson yard and the trainer seems to have found an extra layer from his runner who seemed to have been retired before coming back out and finishing second at Newbury last time out. This is a classy horse who has to be respected and with the ground seeming to suit going into the big day is another for the portfolio.

Other names who have to be respected for those looking for a larger portfolio than the three I will suggest then consider these horses at double figure odds. Big Shu is a former Cheltenham and Punchestown Cross Country winner and follows a same career traectory to former National winner Silver Birch. Chance du Roy has to be respected having come out on top here in the Bechers Chase in December though the extra distance might just be too much.

The third and final name is one at a bigger price and it is Last Time Dalbain who came third in the Topham last year and looked full of running at the end. The extra distance will likely help and with not much weight to carry looks excellent each-way value.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Double Seven, eachway 14/1 (bet365)
Burton Point, eachway, 16/1 (bet365)
Last Time Dalbain, eachway, 66/1 (bet365)

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04/04/2014     © Frixo 2024