Horse Racing

2011 Grand National Betting Preview

The odds for the 2011 Grand National have been released and Ladbrokes have installed the Willie Mullins trained The Midnight Club as a 9/1 favourite.

The Midnight Club has been racing in top form lately and deserves his tag as ante-post favourite. The 10 year old gelding won the Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last start and will go into the Grand National off a 45 day break, meaning he should be in top condition.

Oscar Time finished five lengths third behind The Midnight Club in the Bobbyjo, however he has an advantage of almost a stone in weight over his rival and has been declared a 12/1 second favourite.

What a Friend will attempt to become the first horse aged eight years old to win the event since Bindaree saluted in 2002. Only four eight year olds have won the Grand National since 1970, indicating how battle hardened horses need to be to win the four mile classic. However he is undefeated at the track which is a massive plus.

French galloper Backstage is also in the market at 12/1. The Grand National will be the nine year olds first run in over nine months after finishing a well beaten 10^th in the Galway Plate last July. However he has avoided a penalty in the weights and will go into the Grand National in peak fitness. Backstage failed to finish the Grand National last year after falling.

2010 winner Don’t Push It is back for another attempt at equine immortality. However the Jonjo O’Neill trained 11year old will need to overcome a number of factors if he is going to be crowned the first back to back winner of the Grand National since the great Red Rum achieved the feat back in 1974. That was also the last time a horse carried more weight than Don’t Push It has this year to win the Grand National. In fact only four horses have won the race back to back in the Grand National’s 172 year history.

Can Don’t Push it create history? Bet now with Ladbrokes

Tidal Bay comes into the race with highest official rating on the field of 166. He has been handicapped accordingly and only Don’t Push It will carry more weight. Tidal Bay will be entering the Grand National off a 22 day break. His last start saw him finish 23 lengths behind the winner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Irish ten year old has a good record at Aintree, having won three from seven at the track. Punters clearly believe his weight, and the fact that he is untried over the four miles will be a factor. Tidal Bay is currently ranked 33/1.

It may be advantageous to punters to look for horses that have been in this race before. Last years favourite Big Fella Thanks is back for another crack at the race he finished fourth in last year. It is also worth noting that he ran 6^th in 2009 behind Mon Mome.

Third place getter in the race last year State of Play is also having another go at the Aintree classic. The 11 year old has not raced since finishing third in the race last year. In fact this start will mean that three of his last four starts will have been in Grand Nationals. He was also fourth in 2009.

There are a further five horses from the last years field that will go around again this year. Hello Bud finished the race 5^th looks the best of last year’s beaten bunch at 25/1. Arbour Supreme, Niche Market, Vic Venturi and Royal Rosa all failed to complete the journey last year and are back for another try. Of these Vic Venturi has won at Aintree and is currently priced at 50/1. Royal Rosa has placed in three of five career starts at Aintree at is currently listed at 66/1.

Also note that Ladbrokes will pay fourth as a place dividend in the capacity 40 horse field. The place quote will typically be ¼ of the win price.

Prices for the entire field are available at Ladbrokes