Grand National 2008 Betting
GRAND NATIONAL 2008 BETTING
The Grand National has been run at Aintree racecourse, Liverpool, since 1839. Run over 4m 4f, at the beginning of April, the Aintree “National” fences offer a unique test for both horse and rider. The Grand National is certainly the best-known race in the U.K. (if not the world) and millions of pounds are gambled on it every year. A record number of 105 horses have been allocated weights by handicapper Phil Smith for the 2008 Grand National at Aintree on April 5th. Beef or Salmon is the top weight on 11-12, as a result of winning ten Grade 1 steeplechases. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ Mr. Pointment is set to carry 11-8. Of the placed horses from last year, runner-up McKelvey has an extra 7lb, bringing his weight up to 10-11 for the 2008 renewal. Slim Pickings (3rd) has an extra 6lb (11-0) and Philson Run (4th) an extra 9lb (11-0).
SOME LEADING CONTENDERS
Snowy Morning
Trainer Willie Mullins is worried that Grand National “talking horse” Snowy Morning has been unfairly treated by the handicapper. Promoted to 10/1 favourite by Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, Mullins expressed reservations about his lack of experience. He said, “Snowy Morning has lovely potential, but I do think he has enough weight. He is only a second-season novice and hasn’t completed over fences this year. I do think he is harshly treated given the record of second-season novices in the National.”
Slim Pickings
Seemed to be travelling best for the final circuit of the 2007 race but eventually finished third. He was only beaten 2 lengths but it may be that his stamina just gave out on the long run in.
McKelvey
Unlucky to pick up a tendon injury on the run-in in 2007, finishing a gallant runner-up to Silver Birch. If he makes the line-up, must have a chance of going one better.
A REALLY, REALLY LIVELY OUTSIDER
For those looking for a live contender, at a big price, for the 2008 Grand National, Irish Raptor, available at a best price of 50/1, with Stan James, is worth a close look. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 9-year-old already boasts two completions over the National fences in last year’s Topham and Becher ‘Chases, and has been trained with this year’s Grand National in mind. Interestingly, the horse won a race at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day that has provided some accurate Grand National pointers in the past. Irish Raptor acts on any ground, and has been allotted just 10-1 in the handicap.
BETTING ON THE 2008 GRAND NATIONAL
Types of Bet Available
N.B. Any prices quoted are as of 7th February 2008.
Outright Betting
The recent publication of the weights for the 2008 Grand National has caused something of a “shake-up” in the ante-post betting market. Current best prices are: 12/1 Snowy Morning (totesport), 14/1 Mr Pointment (Coral), 16/1 Bewley’s Berry (betfred), Butler’s Cabin (Paddy Power), 18/1 Simon (Coral), 20/1 Slim Pickings (Stan James), 25/1 Cloudy Lane (William Hill), McKelvey (Blue Square), Point Barrow (better), 28/1 Character Building (Coral), 33/1 BAR.
SPECIAL BETS
As the Grand National is such a popular betting medium, online bookmakers offer a wide range of special bets relating to the race. These include:
Winning Owner
Current best prices are: 8/1 J.P. McManus (Ladbrokes & Stan James), 9/1 David Johnson (Stan James), 10/1 Trevor Hemmings (Ladbrokes).
Winning Trainer
Current best prices are: 8/1 P. Nicholls, 12/1 A.J. Martin, D. Pipe, 14/1 P. Bowen, 16/1 D. McCain (all totesport), 25/1 N. Twiston-Davies (Ladbrokes). Given that he has seven horses entered, several of which are fancied, Nigel Twiston-Davies may be a shrewd play.
Nationality of Winning Trainer
Current best prices: 3/1 Irish winner (Ladbrokes), 33/1 French winner (Stan James).
Winner to be Trained by a Woman
No prices available at present. A number of top-class women trainers are likely to be represented in the Grand National. Names to note are Venetia Williams, Sue Smith and Lucinda Russell. Punters fancying any of their horses will find this bet to their liking, as it covers all the female-trained runners with one stake.
Winner on Grand National debut
8/13 with William Hill
Winning Time
5/6 Under And Including 9 Minutes 19.99 Seconds, 5/6 Over And Including 9 Minutes 20 Seconds (Stan James).
Winning Weight
5/6 11 stone or more, 5/6 Under 11 stone (totesport)
13/8 Less than 10-11, 7/4 Between 10-11 and 11-04, 7/4 Over 11-04 (Stan James)
Age of the Winner
Stan James is the only online firm offering prices on this market at present:
6/4 Nine year old, 7/2 Ten year old, 4/1 Seven year old or less, 5/1 Eight year old, 9/1 Eleven year old, 9/1 Twelve year old.
All Runners to Clear the 1st Fence Safely
5/1 with Paddy Power. A decidedly dodgy proposition, as the runners always approach the first fence too quickly, almost invariably resulting in fallers.
Lady Jockey to Ride the Winner
25/1 with Paddy Power.
Winning Distance
No prices are currently available.
Completing the Course
Some online betting sites offer prices on a particular horse to complete or fail to complete. Others offer prices on various groups of horses (usually five or six) to complete successfully. Each group invariably contains either a suspect jumper or big outsider. However, the odds offered are potentially rewarding, with the shortest priced group being about 16/1 or 20/1.
Match Bets
Prices are offered on pairs of horses with (theoretically) similar winning chances. The winner of the match is the horse achieving the higher placing, or, if neither complete, the horse progressing furthest. Generally, match prices are 10/11 or 5/6 each of two.
Amongst the more novel special bets:
1. Blue Square’s offer of 100/1 on Liverpool winning the F.A. Cup and Ginger McCain training the 2008 Grand National winner.
2. Ladbrokes’ offer of 50/1 on an Irish-trained 1-2-3.
3. Bet365’s offer of 33/1 about Mick Fitzgerald winning the 2008 Grand National and retiring on the spot.
4. Paddy Power’s offer of 16/1 about any horse winning at the Cheltenham Festival and subsequently winning the Grand National
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