Grand National Tips!

Well, it’s that time of year again when the forty horses line up for one of the world’s most spectacular sporting events, The Randox Grand National held at Aintree on Saturday.

The prize money overall is over a million and the prestige is huge, so there’s everything to play for. Runners and riders will be confirmed tomorrow.

The going is likely to be soft, verging on heavy in places and the four mile track with its huge fences, is one of the longest races. There are some great horses and jockeys in the field, so it will be a hard one to predict. Anything can happen!

Top weight is Minella Rocco from Jonjo O’Neill’s yard ridden by Noel Fehily. Likely favourites are Blaklion, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by son, Sam, Gordan Elliott’s, Tiger Roll and Sandy Thomson’s Seeyouatmidnight. That said, the Grand National is notoriously unpredictable, which is why it is such a thrilling spectacle.

Women are well represented with Katie Walsh riding Baie des Iles, Briony Frost riding Milansbar  and Rachael Blackmore riding  Alpha des Obleaux. All are highly capable and I would love a female jockey to win as it would really shake the sport up. The women all ride really well.

But it’s anyone’s guess and because of this, it’s always worth looking at the outsiders as many bookies pay out to five or more places. Here are my suggestions for each way bets with long odds.

Colin Tizzard’s The Dutchman ridden by Harry Cobden. Tizzard is in form and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year with Native River. Likely  to be 50-1

Sue Smith’s I Just Know ridden by Danny Cook also 50-1

Ross Sullivan’s Baie Des Iles ridden by Katie Walsh at 66-1

David Dennis’s Final Nudge ridden by Gavin Sheehan at 33-1

I also drew Perfect Candidate in the sweepstake at work, so shall be watching him too at 66-1!

The very best of luck to anyone deciding to have a flutter!