WHILE PICKING THE winner of the Aintree Grand National can be harder than sitting through an Adam Sandler movie, there are a few dos and don’ts that can help you narrow the odds.
Ignore tips. They’re like opinions – everybody has them but it doesn’t mean they’re right.
So if your sister’s boyfriend’s mate who used to work on a stud farm tells you he’s got a cert for the National, smile politely and then unfriend him.
The last five winners of the race have had an average winning price of 36.4/1 after the victors rolled in at 33/1, 25/1, 25/1, 66/1 & 33/1, so don’t be afraid to go with a hunch at bigger prices.
Here’s a steer (see what we did there) to who could be paying for your Saturday night take-way.
Blaklion - 12/1
Despite being winless this season, Nigel Twiston Davies’ runner brings proven Grade 1 form to the contest. An RSA Chase winner at Cheltenham last term, he went on to finish a close third to Native River in a Grade 1 Novice Chase at this track 12 months ago.
Gets a slight pull at the weights with his recent conquerors Definitly Red and Haydock victor Vieux Lion Rouge, but 2012 winner Neptune Collognes also finished second in the same contest at the Lancashire track before nabbing the big one.
If it’s Conor McGregor type guts you want, Blaklion looks a play.
Pleasant Company - 14/1
Top jock and two-time winner Ruby Walsh rides this relatively lightly-raced nine-year-old for Willie Mullins and the pair previously teamed up with Hedgehunter to win here in 2005.
It may be an omen – or just a random coincidence – but he won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse a couple of weeks ago, as did Hedgehunter before he galloped to glory in the Grand National a couple of weeks later.
According to Ruby, he has a good each-way chance at an each-way price. And who are we to argue with Ruby. He’s a very good arguer.
Rogue Angel - 25/1
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary saw his Rule the World fly home last year at rewarding odds of 33/1 to give him a National double after Rogue Angel won the Irish equivalent a fortnight earlier.
So it’s no surprise to see Rogue Angel pitching up here 12 months later as one of four entries for Gigginstown Stud as trainer Mouse Morris looks to go back-to-back in the world’s greatest race.
A long shot? Maybe, but retained rider Bryan Cooper has picked him over their other three runners as his best chance of riding the winner so that’s a tip in itself. Possibly.
Saint Are 33/1
The 11-year-old is drinking in the last chance saloon now as he’s been hanging around Aintree like the paparazzi at Kim Kardashian’s house without much joy.
His best finish came in 2015, when he was second to Many Clouds, so we know he’ll handle the fences and see out the gruelling four-mile trip.
The experienced and wily Davy Russell has been booked to ride and if that doesn’t help him on Saturday, nothing will.
Lord Windermere - 50/1
If you think you need a touch of class to win the showpiece on Saturday, you should look no further than the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.
Granted he’s gone missing more than Mesut Ozil recently, but on the flip side his rating has plummeted so he’s carrying way less weight on Saturday than if he was still at the top of his game.
He was pulled up here last year when trying to hump 11-10 around Aintree’s unique test, but carries a stone less this year.
Goodtoknow - 66/1
Just six lengths separated Goodtoknow and leading fancy One for Arthur back in January, but that looks to have been forgotten somewhat in the betting.
Kerry Lee is making her name as a trainer of long-distance chasers and has already trained the winner of the Welsh Grand National.
He probably needs the ground to be softer than Manchester City’s defence, but is guaranteed to stay longer than Arsene Wenger when others have cried enough.
If the rain arrives, he could out-run his odds.
Fancy a punt on the Aintree Grand National? Ireland’s biggest bookmaker Paddy Power have the odds on every market – and we’re paying a massive six places. Check out our Aintree Grand National odds here, or simply download the Paddy Power app for iOS or Android.
For more tips, insight and the odd star columnist, head over to the Paddy Power blog.
