All eyes are on the Grand National this Saturday, but how do you pick a winner to bet on? Merseysportlive investigates.
Rachel Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the world’s most famous race last year.
And she arrives in good form having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard.
However, winning horse Minella Times runs off a 15lb higher mark in this year’s race.
Often referred to as a lottery, there are several factors to consider when picking a horse to stake money on.
The first is the horse’s age.
A quarter of all winners of the race have been nine years old.
So horses that are between eight and 11 years old are prime candidates.
Stamina is absolutely essential for the 30 fence spectacle.
Look for a runner who has experience running over three miles.
The weight that the handicapper assigns a horse is crucial too.
Owner Michael O’Leary withdrew two-time winner Tiger Roll claiming he had been unfairly treated (he was given the same weight as Minella Times, despite not running the race last year).
Many Clouds carried 11st 9lb on the way to victory in 2015, the heaviest winner since Red Rum’s 12st in 1974.
The form-book often goes flying out of the window, only one in six Grand Nationals are won by the pre-race favourite.
Of the last Grand National 30 winners, only nine have came from outside the top eight in the betting.
However, there has been some big odds winners.
From 100/1 there have been five winners- Mon Mome (2009), Foinavon (1967), Caughoo (1947), Gregalach (1929) and Tipperary Tim (1928).
There have been four from 66/1- Auroras Encore (2013), Ayala (1963), Russian Hero (1949), and Rubio (1908).
And four from 50/1- Last Suspect (1985), Anglo (1966), Sheila’s Cottage (1948) and Forbra (1932).
The last five winners have been:
2021- Minella Times (11-1), 8 years old, 10st 3lb.
2019- Tiger Roll (4-1), 9 years old, 11st 5lb.
2018- Tiger Roll (14-1), 8 years old, 10st 13lb.
2017- One for Arthur (14-1), 8 years old, 10st 11lb.
2016- Rule The World (33-1), 9 years old, 10st 7lb.
(Featured image Aintree – pic by Paul on creative commons licence)
