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Grand National Tips

The Grand National is finally here and one of the most watched races in the world looks a cracker as usual. The 2022 winner of the race Noble Yeats returns to defend his crown now 19lbs higher. He was obviously so well in last year but could still go well off a much higher mark.

I like to have a few bets in the race as the National always requires a lot of luck and all 4 look good prices at 9/1, 14/1, 20/1 and 66/1. I have used the trends and form for these as the trends since the race was changed look solid with more horses finishing now and the emphasis shifting from jumping to stamina as you can get away with minor errors now. The ground looks set to be perfect after less rain than expected and I can’t wait for the race at 5:15 on Saturday afternoon.

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Grand National Best Bets
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Aintree
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17:15 - Saturday (ITV)
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Trends
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7 of the last 11 winners were aged between 8 and 10.
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9 of the last 11 winners carried between 10st 3lbs and 11st 5lbs.
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9 of the last 11 winners were rated between 146-160.
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6 of the last 11 winners had at least 1 previous win in Grade 1-3 races.
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Aged 10 based on last 7 runnings.
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Not won over 3 miles or further.

I have to kick-off with a favourite of ours and the slight favourite for this race at the time of writing CORACH RAMBLER. We tipped him to win at the Cheltenham Festival the last two years and he dually obliged. The Grand National has always looked a logical option for him and he now comes here 10lbs well in which is a huge plus. He will need a bit of luck in running with his run style but Lucinda Russell’s horses have been running really well this week and he has to go close with clear round.

26
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Corach Rambler
T:
Lucinda Russell
J:
Derek Fox
9/1
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Form -
U1-541
Age -
9
Weight -
10-5

I thought MR INCREDIBLE was a big eye-catcher at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He was given a patient ride by Patrick Mullins before cutting his way through the pack and he looked to be coming with a strong challenge before just struggling to go the pace of the front pair. The winner Angels Dawn has since run creditably in the Irish Grand National so it is solid form. I have no doubt he is well handicapped off a mark of 145 and if he takes to this unique test he could surprise a few off a nice weight. He’ll need luck given his run style but hopefully he isn’t given too much to do with Brian Hayes back in the saddle a positive.

28
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Mr Incredible
T:
Willie Mullins
J:
Brian Hayes
14/1
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Form -
2RP-B23
Age -
7
Weight -
10-4

It is often worth backing a horse in the Grand National that has Graded form to their name and VANILLIER fits the bill and at a nice price. He won the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham a couple of years ago and made a bright start over fences winning the Grade 2 Florida Pearl at Punchestown as a novice. Things haven't gone to plan this season but he was back to form chasing home Kemboy at Fairyhouse last time closing all the way to the line and looks to be off a nice mark for this. He is a strong stayer and if he can jump better I can see him getting seriously competitive.

23
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Vanillier
T:
Gavin Cromwell
J:
Sean Flanagan
20/1
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Form -
3-636F2
Age -
8
Weight -
10-6

There aren’t many a big prices the fit the trends with only two standing out but I sided with CLOUDY GLEN at a huge price. Those Trevor Hemmings colours are synonymous with the Grand National and it would be great for his family if they could win this after he sadly passed away in 2021. He looks to have a nice weight and stays well as he showed at Haydock earlier in the year. He pulled up behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham but I feel he might need slightly better ground to be at his best and on his going day he could be well overpriced.

30
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Cloudy Glen
T:
Venetia Williams
J:
Charlie Deutsch
66/1
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Form -
1P9-3P
Age -
10
Weight -
10-4

In a race of this nature there are plenty of dangers but Delta Work is the obvious and is vying for favouritism after winning the cross-country at the Cheltenham Festival nicely. He will surely go well again but I would just want the ground a little bit softer. The Big Dog will have his day in a big race one day and was travelling well at Leopardstown before falling which put me off backing him. Finally the other horse I liked at a massive price is Escaria Ten who stays well and on his best form could outrun the price, I was just really disappointed with his run last year which edged him out of my picks.