Tag: Grand National blog

Grand National Blog – Shutthefrontdoor 8-1 top price

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Day 2 of Aintree was safely negotiated with a small profit courtesy of Theinval (tipped at 11-1) and Saphir Du Rheu (7-4). Hopes of a third winner bit the dust when Alpha Des Obeaux (18-1) crashed at the final flight in the 4.40 race.

The feature race was the Melling Chase at 3.25 but it turned into a procession as Don Cossack stormed clear to win by 26 lengths from Cue Card and Johns Spirit. AP has now collected a major prize on the first two days but the one he really wants is the National itself at 4.15 on Saturday.

The Bookmakers are bracing themselves for a predicted flood of sentimental support for McCoy on Saturday. Various figures have been floated between £30million and £50million, should Shutthefrontdoor give McCoy the fairytale send-off to his career. On Friday evening, some bookmakers had eased the favourite out to 8-1 but I would expect his SP to be closer to 5-1.

It was slightly worrying to see the general mayhem in the Topham Chase with only ten of the thirty runners completing the course. I am not sure whether the quick ground has anything to do with it but I am not yet aware of any fatalities. Bless The Wings made a mistake at the eighth fence which knocked him out of contention but that was a rare setback in a terrific week for Gordon Elliott. Hopefully his good fortune will continue with our 33-1 ante-post tip on Cause Of Causes.

Paul Nicholls will also be feeling full of confidence about his four runners after Saphir Du Rheu finally got his act together over fences. The talented grey was runner-up in the World Hurdle last time out but Nicholls has always believed that he has the potential to win a Gold Cup. He should be an exciting prospect to look forward to next season when he takes on the Mullins battalions.

Carlito Brigante was a late withdrawal from the National due to lameness, unfortunately just too late for a reserve to take his place. 9am was the official deadline and you have to wonder whether this could be extended next year.

The bookmakers are rolling out the Grand National offers but here is our ante-post book and the current best prices available.

Shutthefrontdoor 20-1 Best price now 8-1 Ladbrokes

Monbeg Dude 33-1 Best price now 50-1 Bet365

Spring Heeled 33-1 Best price now 25-1 William Hill

Cause Of Causes 33-1 Best price now 20-1 William Hill

Grand National Blog – Going favours Spring Heeled

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Grand National meeting at Aintree gets under way on Thursday and the excitement is already building towards Saturday’s big race.

If you have been following our regular posts, you’ll know that we have been putting together an ante-post portfolio on the race. The ground seems to be drying out with the warm spell over Easter and that is good news for Spring Heeled, tipped here at 33-1 on 4th February. All has gone well with his preparation and Nick Scholfield takes the ride.

Cause Of Causes chased him home at Cheltenham last year and was added to our list at 33-1 after winning at this year’s festival. He has almost halved in price and Paul Carberry is expected to hunt him around on the first circuit and hope to creep into the race. If you are a fan of Tony McCoy, we added Shutthefrontdoor at 20-1 in anticipation of the champion jockey seeking a glorious send-off.

Our only other investment so far was on Monbeg Dude at 33-1 and we were disappointed with him in his latest trial. He would probably prefer softer ground but got round last year in seventh and connections are still to take their chance.

All of the leading bookmakers are now offering non-runner – no bet on the Grand National. There are also some enhanced place terms on offer with BetVictor paying each-way down to sixth place. William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Totesport are sticking rigidly to the first four places so far but this may change with pressure form their rivals.

Royale Knight is currently the last horse guaranteed a run so anything below him in the list is relying on some late withdrawals. These include the David Pipe duo of The Package and Broadway Buffalo. The former is a veteran of past Nationals and won well at Cheltenham while Katie Walsh is desperately hoping that Broadway Buffalo can sneak in. She won the Irish Grand National on Monday but looks like missing out on Saturday’s race.

Whereas Cheltenham brings the best from Ireland and Britain together for the first time, Aintree tends to revolve around the festival form. There are smaller fields and (usually) Cheltenham form stands up pretty well. We have previewed day 1 separately with selections for all seven races.

Ante-post

Spring Heeled @33-1

Cause Of Causes @33-1

Monbeg Dude @33-1

Shutthefrontdoor @20-1

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4