Grand National. Aintree 4.15. The worlds most famous horse race, a handicap race with 40 runners, run over a monstrous 4 miles and 4 furlongs and with some of the biggest jumps in racing. It takes some winning and finding the winner is nearly as difficult. Having trawled through the full field and using stats from previous years races to narrow the runners down to a short list, there are two horses who look worth backing. One statistic that surprised me was that 7 of the last 10 winners of this race have been making their debut in the National, a race that is widely regarded as a real ‘horses for courses’ race. 1 point e/w Garvivonian @ 14/1 with Hills, Ladbrokes, Corals, Betfred lost 2 points He has not yet run in the Grand National, but won the Becher chase (on similar going) over the same fences back in November, beating 10 of today’s field in the process. Regarded as having great stamina, he should stay the trip and has proved his jumping over the big fences in a big field. This race has been his target and with a clear run he should be thereabouts at the finish. 1 point e/w Jack High @ 14/1 with BetDirect (e/w 1,2,3,4,5) Another National debutant, Jack High was runner up in last years Irish Grand National and won last years BetFred Gold Cup over 3 miles 5 furlongs in April 2005. Clearly relishes long distances and is trained by Ted Walsh, a winner with Papillon in this race six years ago. He is not a big horse, so these big fences may be his weak spot. Most of his wins have been on ground that was soft or heavy but Walsh believes that good ground is his best surface and that Aintree is currently good – good to soft. Bred in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, they will be dancing in the streets of Cullybackey tonight if Jack High lands the spoils. lost 2 points |
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