Grand National 2011 Betting Preview

Grand National Betting Preview

Race Type: Chase

Distance: 4m 4f

Race Profile: The Grand National is the most famous steeplechase in the world. Run every year at Aintree near Liverpool, it is the climax of the three day national hunt festival. Broadcast on the BBC, the race has become iconic due to the difficulty of the jumps. Each fence is topped with spruce and many have their own name; such as Becher’s Brook and The Chair, both renowned for their severity. With a large field and tough fences lady luck can play a large part in the race. This propensity for shock as well as spectacle makes it one of the most popular betting events of the year.

Ten Year Trends:

3 of the last 10 favourites have won.
All of the last 70 winners were aged between 8 and 12 years old.
The last 21 winners had previously won over three miles or further.
17 of the last 19 winners had won a chase with more than 12 rivals.
9 of the last 10 winners had won at least a listed or graded chase.
Paul Nicholls has never sent out a National winner in 47 attempts.
Last year’s winner was the first horse to carry more than 11st 1lb to victory since 1983.
In the last ten years the average starting price of the winner was 25/1.

Race Preview: Year after year the quality of the field gets better and better with some highly rated chasers tilting at the prize. The current favourite is The Midnight Club. Although ten year’s old he is lightly raced and a classy Irish performer, winning the Grade 2 Bobbyjo chase in Ferburay. He will be the mount of Ruby Walsh. Second favourite is Gold Cup fourth, What A Friend. Part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, he is bidding to break Paul Nicholls’ hoodoo in the National. Novice Chaser Quinz is looking to rewrite the records and be the first novice to win the National since Mr What in 1958.

Our Verdict: Arbor Supreme, Grand Slam Hero, West End Rocker