The 174th Grand National takes place on Saturday afternoon around Aintree and here at NetBet, our in-depth preview to the world’s most famous horse race should certainly get the juices flowing ahead of the four-mile spectacular.
Forty runners go to post and much like the previous 173 runnings of this unique event, this is another highly competitive renewal. To make your lives even easier, we have our fantastic blog post on how to pick a winner of the Grand National in the hope that you come out on top come 5.30pm on Saturday.
Along with this preview and our guide on how to pick a winner, NetBet are also paying six places so there is more chance to sneak a winner in!
Grand National
Saturday 9th April, 5.15pm
Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
Live on ITV
Grand National Preview
The Grand National is back for another year and it should be another pulsating race between some of the best staying chasers in the UK and Ireland. Thirty fences await the 40 runners, such as The Chair, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn, and you need a horse that is good jumper, stays the marathon distance and relishes the unique experience around Aintree.
Snow Leopardess is the obvious starting point. He is a worthy favourite having won the Becher Chase over 3m 2f in December and showed he handles the track really well. Since that race, he has only had one run when winning convincingly at Exeter and will surely be a popular pick with the punters on Saturday.
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott saddles no fewer than eight runners in the race and his best chance of winning this race for a fourth time is surely Delta Work.
He is challenging Snow Leopardess for favouritism and he has some top-class form in the book. He lowered the colours of Tiger Roll in that legendary racehorse’s last ever run over 3m 6f at the Cheltenham Festival last time out and is an obvious contender.
Ireland have won this contest four times in the past five runnings and, besides Delta Work, they are strongly represented by the likes of Any Second Now, Enjoy D’allen and last year’s winner, Minella Times.
It is sure to be a thriller when the tapes go up at 5.15pm on Saturday!
Grand National Odds
Snow Leopardess – 7/1
Delta Work – 8/1
Any Second Now – 9/1
Escaria Ten – 11/1
Enjoy D’allen – 12/1
Minella Times – 12/1
Eclair Surf – 12/1
Fiddlerontheroof – 14/1
Longhouse Poet – 16/1
Grand National Betting Tips
Snow Leopardess to win – 7/1
This is a selection that might lack a bit of imagination but it is very hard to look past Snow Leopardess. The 10-year-old continues on an upward curve, has winning form around the Grand National course and jumps and stays well. The negative is the fact that is race is traditionally a favourite’s graveyard so the fact he is favourite might be offputting for some. However, there are not many holes to pick at in his form and trainer Charlie Longsdon is very confident that his flying grey can run a big race.
Discorama – Each Way – 33/1
For those who fancy a horse with strong claims at a longer price, look no further than Discorama. This horse finished seventh behind Minella Times last year but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening at the second last fence. Paul Nolan’s nine-year-old is sure to be ridden with a bit more restraint this time and has had a light campaign, running just twice since his run in this race last year. He looks a really good bet to be in the first six.
Easysland – Each Way – 66/1
You look at this tip and you might think we have gone slightly mad! However, there is a method to our madness when looking at this horse. This eight-year-old has some excellent form in recent seasons. He has beaten Tiger Roll along with running some great races against some of the main protagonists in this field. He was running his best race for some time at Cheltenham on his last outing before pulling up and if this unique test is right up his street, he could be spring a real surprise.
*Odds subject to change
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