Grand National Betting Preview

This Saturday 16:15 the nation will stop and turn their eyes to Aintree as the Grand National captures the imagination once more. Here is our guide to some of the best of the bets for the big race.

With fourty horses set to run it can be a nightmare for those looking to make a shortlist. A list of trends of the winners though can tend to cut the field right down in numbers so here is what to look out for. Look for horses that are aged nine years or older as only two winners since 1984 have been under nine years old. In addition look for horses that have won over three miles or above, horses that have won a class 1 or class 2 chase and have run at least ten times previously.

This knocks the field down to a slightly more manageable 25 but is still a lot of runners. The market is headed by a trio of horses with connections to the Walsh family. On His Own is favourite with most bookmakers and has Ruby on board this Willie Mullins trained runner. The horse fell in this race last year when going well and has to be respected however at single figure odds this is a little too short for me. Also high in the betting is Seabass which is trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by Katie Walsh who is looking to become the first female jockey to win the Grand National. Seabass did get round here last year in third though the price looks a little short to me. The third Walsh Horse is the Ted Walsh trained Colbert Station which has AP McCoy on board. Anything AP McCoy selects has to be respected although the ground is unlikely to suit and the horse has yet to show that it can go over three miles.

The selections come from the next three in the market between Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey and Teaforthree. Cappa Bleu was fourth last year and looked decent when second at Ascot last time out. At the risk of tipping everyone up I am going to exclude Cappa Bleu but if you wish to extend your staking plan to more than three I would recommend including this horse.

Chicago Grey is the first selection as the Gordon Elliott trained runner has been trained with this race in mind. A four mile win at Cheltenham shows that distance should hold no fear for the horse. A win at Navan last time out suggest the horse is in good shape and follows the key trends of every race winner for the last 20 years having run more than three times this season.

Also in the staking plan should be Teaforthree who has a solid steady type who should be at home over the distance having won over 4 miles previously. A poor showing at Haydock last time can be excused as conditions were not to suit and a second in the Welsh National at Chepstow is mark of how well this horse can go. The horse is a good jumper who should benefit from the Aintree turf.

Those looking for a horse at a little bigger price might want to consider Across the Bay who should be available around 40/1 in the morning. The Donald McCain runner won a grade two at Haydock last time out when making all the running from the front. The Horse has suggested it has more running left in races over three miles and has good course form in three previous runs at the course finishing second (twice) and third.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Chicago Grey, EW to win the Grand National, best morning price
SILVER: Teaforthree, EW to win the Grand National, best morning price
BRONZE: Across the Bay, EW to win the Grand National, best morning price

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05/04/2013     © Frixo 2024