The British Grand National takes place at Aintree in April, and as ever there has been a lot of talk about the runners taking part in the race. Many have already had their last preparation run ahead of the event, while some will be doing that at the Cheltenham Festival instead. One horse who has been towards the head of the betting market for the race for a long time now is Blaklion, and he looks to be a huge player in the race.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained nine-year-old has a lot going for him this season, and it is hard to envisage him not being involved at the end of the 2018 edition of this great race. The only slight concern over him was his run in his last race, where he finished 54 lengths back in second. However, the testing going that day was so bad that just three horses completed out of the eight that started, and that is enough to warrant giving him a second chance. He would have not been 100% fit that day either – his trainer will have left something to work on – whereas when Aintree is here, he is sure to be the fittest he has ever been for a race.
Prior to that run at Haydock though, he showed us all why he is so well fancied for the Grand National, with a string of great efforts. He began his season with a great run in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, staying on really well over an inadequate trip of three miles to finish second behind stablemate Bristol De Mai. That was a great run to kick start his campaign, especially over a distance that was too short for him; he is a very strong stayer and three miles at Wetherby is no longer what he needs.
In his next run, he went to Aintree for a second look at the Aintree Grand National fences. This was in the Becher Chase, a race over slightly further than the Charlie Hall Chase, with three miles and two furlongs being the trip this time around. He jumped the big fences brilliantly, and won this race with ease – nine lengths was the official distance on the day. If there was any doubt that this horse was a Grand National contender, then this was the day that everyone took note of his performance, and he was propelled to the front of the betting market.
The experts at Timeform have their betting tips ready of the Grand National, and they will be able to highlight other horses that have a chance as well as Blaklion. One thing you do need if you are to win this race is a huge slice of luck, and that is what makes the race so appealing to punters, because absolutely anything can happen. Blaklion has the form in the book, is the right age and has past experience over the big fences. However, if a horse falls in front of him, or he is pushed wide by something, all could be over before it has begun, such is the nature of the Grand National.
As the race draws closer, many people will be placing their Grand National bets, with Blaklion sure to be a popular choice. Many people backed him last season when he finished fourth, and those are likely to follow him again, as he did nothing wrong on that day. Being a year older and wiser, combined with the great form he has shown so far this season is enough to put him right in the mix, and providing no accidents occur, he should give you a huge run for your money in the big one in April.
The Grand National stops the UK for a brief period, with many once a year punters placing their bets on the horse they believe will take the spoils. Blaklion is a horse that right now looks to have a great chance, and one that can be backed with confidence. Although, like every horse in the race, he is going to need a huge amount of luck to navigate around Aintree safely.
