by Rich Nilsen
The Grand National at Aintree Racecourse is a test of endurance, stamina and class like no other race in the world. Dating back to 1839 in England, the prestigious horse race challenges a large field of runners to contest the hurdles and flats over four grueling miles. The winner of the Grand National on April 14, 2018 will be a true champion, and their name will never be forgotten.
According to America’s Best Racing the Grand National is watched by over 500 million people around the globe, and roughly two-thirds of the adult population in the United Kingdom will have some type of wager on the great race. Like with the Kentucky Derby in the United States, you have to have a rooting interest in this thrilling contest. Bet £10, get £30 when you bet on Grand National.
Currently three horses are garnering the majority of the action in the future books, led by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Blaklion. The winner of the Becher Chase stands at 10-1 in the future betting with most of the international bookmakers but is as high as 12-1 with William Hill. He has won over this course, demonstrating an important affinity for the track, and he enters off an excellent prep race where he finished second.
The co-favorite in the wagering with Blaklion is Total Recall (Ire). He is also listed at 10-1 but is higher in some spots. The nine-year-old son of Westerner has won three in a row since moving into the barn of W. P. Mullins. He is the hot horse in sharp form.
At the time of this publication the third choice for the Grand National at 14-1 is The Last Samuri (Ire). Now ten years old, the gelding will take another crack at the big race. He was the highweight in last year’s event, packing over 160lbs, but he finished a disappointing 16th. The Last Samuri hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since 2016, however, and this is a tough spot to get back on the winning track.
A dark horse in the wagering could be the French gelding Alpha Des Obeaux (Fr). He’s not the most consistent runner but he has been racing regularly and on his best day, he merits a chance for a piece of the Grand National.
When it comes to riders for the great race, look at talented jockeys such as Ruby Walsh, who won his Grand National debut at age 20 back in 2000 aboard Papillon. Walsh won again in 2005 and has placed in other attempts at Aintree. Other riders to keep a close eye on include Jason Maguire and Timmy Murphy, both of whom compete for the sharp barn of trainer Donald McCain.
Focus your Grand National wagers on horses between the age of nine and 11. The youth and experience of seven and eight-year-olds often takes its toll in this race, and the oldest runners (age 12 and beyond) have proven to be a poor investment. The senior runners may hit the board, but they rarely capture the top prize.
Tune in on April 14th for this amazing race as up to 40 runners will attempt to contest up to 16 fences of varying heights and widths. There is no race like the Grand National, so sit back, place a wager and best of luck!
Another famous fence is fence number 15, ‘The Chair fence’, which is 5ft 3in high. It is the highest fence of the course and is well known because, unfortunately, two jockeys were killed here. Joseph Wynne and George Ede died at this fence in 1862. Another rider Paddy Farrell fractured his spine in a fall at The Chair fence. However his efforts led to the creation of the injured jockeys’ fund.
