8th Apr 2011 | Grand National
Grand National 2011 Selections
Our racing expert has come up with three selections for Saturday’s big race - including a 100/1 outsider.
As our Grand National trends guide pointed out; to win at Aintree you need a horse that stays and jumps. A basic prerequisite, but this year with the unseasonably dry weather you also want a horse that can go on good ground.
Our expert has spent weeks running the rule over the form - these are his selections:
Most Likely Winner
Gets 10lbs from The Midnight Club for a one length defeat at Fairyhouse, that should be enough to turn around the form with the favourite. His running style suggests he will appreciate further and he arrives in the capable hands of Willie Mullins, a Grand National winning trainer in 2005 with Hedgehunter.
Odds: 20/1
Dark Horse
Looked a progressive chaser early in the season with two good handicap wins, including the Grade 3 Classic Chase at Warwick. Things then went wrong when pulled up in desperate ground at Haydock in the National trial. His odds took a walk thereafter but that run was forgiveable as only 4 out of 14 completed the race.
Odds: 33/1
Best Outsider
A summer jumping specialist the drying ground at Aintree will help his cause. He has some smart form, winning the Summer Plate Chase at Market Rasen last year. His trainer has won the Grand National twice before with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002) suggesting he is not here to make up the numbers.
Odds: 100/1
Odds correct at time of publishing: 10:57 8th Apr, 2011 but subject to change
