Horse Racing

Your guide to the runners in this year’s Grand National!

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Picking a winner in the Grand National is a tough ask, even for the most experienced horse racing viewer. Some will go on horse names, colours of silks or even the odds.

Anyways, here at NetBet, we’ve produced a guide that will hopefully help you make your selections by Saturday at 5.15!

  1. Minella Rocco (16/1)

He finished second in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, but hasn’t been seen since the Irish Gold Cup in February. He’s had an operation since and has failed to fire so far this season.

  1. Blaklion (10/1)

Finished fourth in last year’s Grand National and has been in good form this season. He was beaten by miles in his last run though.

  1. Anibale Fly (11/1)

Has a problem with staying, but finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Goes in as one of the shorter priced horses in this one and can’t be underestimated.

  1. The Last Samuri (16/1)

Finished second in 2016, but didn’t back it up last year and finished 16th. Looks to be past his best.

  1. Valseur Lido (50/1)

Injuries have caught up with this horse and he doesn’t look the same as he did earlier in his career. Could be dangerous, but would have to bounce back very strongly.

  1. Total Recall (10/1)

Has won three of his four races under Willie Mullins and rightly heads in as joint-favourite. Destroyed the field in the Munster National back in October, but fell in the Gold Cup.

  1. Alpha Des Obeaux (40/1)

A good stayer and one of the better shouts at long odds. Trained by Mouse Morris who won the Grand National back in 2016 with Rule The World.

  1. Gold Present (22/1)

Pulled up at Cheltenham which ended a good run of momentum and doesn’t look capable of staying the course.

  1. Perfect Candidate (66/1)

Pulled up in last year’s Grand National and has struggled in his last two runs.

  1. Shantou Flyer (33/1)

One to back if the ground turns soft and the odds will plummet if it does. Hasn’t won too many races recently, but a good each-way bet.

  1. Tenor Nivernais (100/1)

At 100/1 for a reason. Wasn’t close in last year’s race and has poor form over the course of this season.

  1. Carlingford Lough (50/1)

Has struggled so far this season, but has been known to pull a performance out of the hat in the past. Can’t be underestimated.

  1. Vicente (28/1)

Fell at the first fence last year and looks to be targeting the Scottish National next weekend at Ayr.

  1. Tiger Roll (10/1)

Is well-backed and is a good stayer. One of the main favourites.

  1. Regal Encore (28/1)

Won at Ascot in February, but isn’t the strongest heading into this race. Will need some luck if he’s to win.

  1. Vieux Lion Rouge (28/1)

Returns to the Grand National for the third consecutive year, but has never finished above sixth. Will be a risky each-way bet.

  1. Chase The Spud (50/1)

Has pulled up in the last two races and isn’t reliable. Did win the Midlands National last year though.

  1. Warriors Tale (50/1)

Owned by Trevor Hemmings, who has won three Grand Nationals in his time as an owner, the last in 2015. Hasn’t shown any weaknesses recently.

  1. Seeyouatmidnight (16/1)

The ground won’t bother him and he’s got an excellent staying record. One that could be heavily backed by 5.15 on Saturday.

  1. Gas Line Boy (28/1)

Finished fifth last year and won the Sefton Handicap Chase earlier this season. Another good each-way bet.

  1. The Dutchman (28/1)

Had a disappointing run last time and needs to bounce back. The odds have been dropping ever since winning the Peter Marsh at Haydock.

  1. Pleasant Company (28/1)

Hasn’t shown the same form since coming ninth last year. Pulled up in his last race.

  1. Ucello Conti (22/1)

Also pulled up in his last race, but has impressive form when it comes to big races and handicaps.

  1. Saint Are (50/1)

Has pulled up in his last two races, but has placed in three Grand Nationals. At 12-years old, his best form might be behind him.

  1. Beeves (100/1)

Has raced twice since last June and hasn’t come close in either of them.

  1. Raz De Maree (40/1)

Won the Welsh National in January at 13-years old and can be considered a contender if the ground turns soft.

  1. I Just Know (25/1)

Finished second at Uttoxeter in March and first at Catterick over hurdles in January. Is versatile when it comes to ground and not a bad shout.

  1. Virgilio (80/1)

Has had surgery since last running back in December. He won’t be well-backed come the start of the race.

  1. Baie Des Iles (33/1)

Finished fifth in last year’s Welsh Grand National and has excellent form in these races. She could be a contender if she takes to the fences.

  1. Maggio (100/1)

Hasn’t won a race since April 2016 and isn’t very consistent. One to avoid.

  1. Pendra (66/1)

Disappointing in his last run at Cheltenham and finished 13th in 2016 Grand National.

  1. Buywise (50/1)

Won at Sandown in January, but that was his first win since 2014.

  1. Childrens List (66/1)

Pulled up in his last run. There are better Willie Mullins-trained horses running in this year’s Grand National.

  1. Lord Windermere (66/1)

Hasn’t returned to form since winning the Gold Cup in 2015. Finished seventh in last year’s race.

  1. Captain Redbeard (33/1)

Has shown good form recently and has won two of his last three runs.

  1. Houblon Des Obeaux (66/1)

Finished 10th in last year’s Grand National and looks past his best.

  1. Bless The Wings (50/1)

Has pulled up in three of his last five runs.

  1. Milansbar (33/1)

Bryony Frost rides him and he’s a good jumper and stayer. Can’t be underestimated and odds might drop come Saturday afternoon.

  1. Final Nudge (50/1)

Finished third in the Welsh National, but was well off the pace at Cheltenham.

  1. Double Ross (100/1)

Has featured in one Grand National before, pulling up in 2016. Finished fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.

  1. Road To Riches (66/1)

Pulled up at Punchestown and hasn’t been seen that often recently. Might struggle to make an impact in the field here.

  1. Thunder And Roses (66/1)

The jockey was unseated in last year’s Grand National and hasn’t completed a run in four races.

  1. Delusionofgrandeur (66/1)

Finished third at Haydock after a short break, but is likely to struggle here.

  1. Walk In The Mill (80/1)

Pulled up at Haydock in January and hasn’t been seen since. Unlikely to trouble the leaders.

  1. Vintage Clouds (40/1)

Has a big chance if he can break free of the pack and doesn’t get boxed in. An excellent stayer and versatile on all ground.

  1. Wounded Warrior (100/1)

Hasn’t improved over the course of this season and is a long way of competing for the Grand National.

  1. General Principle (40/1)

Won the Irish National last week at Fairyhouse, but will need to make a huge effort if he’s to win at Aintree.

  1. Splash Of Ginge (66/1)

A superb second-place finish in the Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, but looks less likely to trouble the leaders here.

  1. Bonny Kate (80/1)

Poor recent form, but has put in good performances in handicaps in the past.

  1. Cogry (100/1)

Ran poorly at Cheltenham and has declined since winning back in October.

  1. Sir Mangan (100/1)

Beaten by a length at Fakenham and that’s as good as it’s been recently.

  1. Mysteree (100/1)

Finished third on his last run, but that was 128 lengths behind the winner. The odds of 100/1 are generous.

  1. Minella Daddy (80/1)

Returned from over a year out in January and hasn’t put in a satisfactory performance since.

  1. Braqueur D’Or (80/1)

Hasn’t run since December last year, but had a strong showing before dropping off at Newbury. Will struggle here.

  1. Relentless Dreamer (100/1)

Hasn’t finished within seven lengths of the winner in 2018. That’s unlikely to change here.

  1. The Young Master (66/1)

Was an early faller last year and hasn’t shown good form this year.

  1. Henri Parry Morgan (150/1)

Won at Ffos Las in his last run, but that’s a long way off the standard expected at Aintree.

  1. Phil’s Magic (100/1)

Finished sixth in his last run at Leopardstown in February.

  1. Alfie Spinner (125/1)

Surprised many by finishing second at the Welsh National. Lightning is unlikely to strike twice here.

  1. Dancing Shadow (125/1)

Finished fourth in a field of eight at Exeter last time out. Pulled up prior to that.

  1. Rogue Angel (80/1)

Pulled out in three of his last four races.

  1. Out Sam (100/1)

Don’t be fooled by consecutive third place finishes in his last two races. The field was much smaller in both of them.

  1. Krackatoa King (125/1)

In no form and was beaten by 75 lengths at Warwick in January.

Words by @dominictrant