Things are slowly getting back to normal in the UK and nothing signifies the arrival of spring quite like the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse this Saturday, April 10th..
This annual handicap steeplechase has been thrilling fans since 1839 and is run on turf at a distance of four miles and 514 yards, which is 6.907 kilometres for those who prefer the metric system. It’s open to horses seven-years-old and over with the winner usually taking home close to a million dollars.
It’s a two-lap thrill ride just outside of Liverpool which sees the 40 horses jumping 30 fences. Unfortunately, the 2020 Grand National was scrapped due to Covid-19. The last race was run in 2019 with Tiger Roll taking top spot.
Trivia
Seven of the past 10 Grand National winners were 9, 10 or 11 years old with the other three being 8-year-olds.
In the past 10 races, just two of the starting-gate favourites have won the event. These were Tiger Roll in 2019 at 4/1 and 10/1 favourite Don’t Push It in 2010.
The the average odds of Grand National winners over the years have been approximately 20/1.
Seven of the past 10 winners had raced at least four times in the current season before the Grand National. However, Ballabriggs (2011), One For Arthur (2017) and Tiger Roll (2019) had participated in just three races that season.
There are no previous Grand National winners in the racing line-up this weekend.
Favourites
The current favourites with Bet365 are: Cloth Cap at 4/1, Burrows Saint at 8/1, Any Second Now at 10/1, Kimberlite Candy at 12/1, Minella Times at 12/1, Secret Reprieve at 14/1, Magic of Light at 16/1, Discorama at 18/1, The Storyteller at 20/1 and Farclas also at 20/1.
Horses with middle-of-the-pack odds at 66/1 are: Give Me A Copper, Sub Lieutenant; Another Venture, Dounikos, Hold The Note, Musical Slave, Plan Of Attack, Prime Venture, Talkischeap, and Valtor.
The Bet365 longshots this weekend are Flying Angel at 125/1, Monbeg Notorious at 125/1 and Crievehill at 150/1.
There are also some Grand National Specials available at Bet365 including weight of winner, age of winner, and start as favourite betting options.
Let’s take a look at the top-10 favourites in this weekend’s race.
Cloth Cap 4/1
Cloth Cap is a nine-year-old owned by Trevor Hemmings, trained by Jonjo O’Neill and with Tom Scudamore as the likely jockey. The horse won the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase in November and also recently won at Kelso.
Burrows Saint 8/1
Trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old Burrows Saint won the 2019 Irish Grand National and then took a break. The horse returned this season and qualified for Grand National after finishing in second place in February at the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Mullins had a Grand National winner back in 2005 with Hedgehunter. Jockey Paul Townend intends to ride Burrows Saint, but his status is unclear after injuring his foot last weekend at Fairyhouse.
Any Second Now 10/1
This nine-year-old is trained by Ted Walsh but has struggled somewhat this season and pulled up at Gowran Park in the Goffs. However, he was a winner the last time out at Navan and also won over three miles at Cheltenham. Mark Walsh will be the probable jockey on Saturday.
Kimberlite Candy 12/1
The nine-year-old Kimberlite Candy was pulled up Irish Grand National in 2019 but place second in the 2019 and 2020 Becher Chase so we know he shouldn’t have much of a problem with the big fences at Aintree. He’s also won over three miles previously so should have enough stamina to handle the distance on Saturday. He’s trained by Tom Lacey with Richie McLernon being the expected jockey.
Minella Times 12/1
The eight-year-old Minella Times is trained by Henry de Bromhead and is expected to be ridden by female jockey Rachael Blackmore. The horse is typically used to shorter distances and has run three-mile races just twice. However, he placed second in December at Leopardstown.
Secret Reprieve 14/1
Secret Reprieve is just seven years old and 2021 has already been good to him as he captured the Welsh National back in January. He’s trained by Evan Williams with James Bowen pencilled in as the jockey. The last seven-year-old to win the Grand National was Bogskar back in 1940 and as of April 6, it was still unclear if Secret Reprieve was guaranteed to run this Saturday.
Magic Of Light 16/1
This is another seven-year-old with Magic Of Light likely being ridden by jockey Robbie Power with the horse being trained by Jessica Harrington. The mare started the 2019 Grand National at odds of 125/1 but managed to finish in second place behind Tiger Roll.
Discorama 18/1
Trained by Paul Nolan, Discorama is an eight-year old who placed third in the Ultima at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival and created quite a buss last year. However, he’s been beaten by other horses in Saturday’s field and perhaps the odd are a bit generous. Bryan cooper is expected to be the jockey.
14/1
The Storyteller 20/1
The Storyteller is a versatile and consistent 10-year-old who has won or placed second in six of his last seven outings, which includes a victory at October’s Ladbrokes Champion Chase. Denise Foster is the trainer with Keith Donoghue being the probable jockey.
Farclas 20/1
The 10-year-old Farclas won three straight races as a novice chaser placed third in the Paddy Power Chase back in December. The horse is also trained by Denise Foster with Jack Kennedy being the likely jockey.
For a complete list of 2021 Grand National betting odds and options please visit Bet365.
