EARLY NATIONAL TIPS
Weight Worries
In the last 10 years just three winners carried more than 11st.
It’s estimated that more than 10 million people in the UK will watch the Randox Health sponsored Grand National in 2019. Millions of more people around the world will follow the race to see which horse triumphs in the Aintree Spectacular on Saturday 6th April.
The Grand National is famed for its unpredictable nature and rightly so, in the past century five 100/1 shots have triumphed over the famous fences. However, the Grand National is far less of a lottery than many people believe. Trends and statistics have emerged over the last 20 years which can help you identify those runners who have the potential to run a big race. Whether you decide to follow the trends and stats or choose your horse based on its name, silk colour or jockey riding we can tell you everything you need to know about this year’s hopefuls.
Along with those watching at home, a 70,000 strong crowd will be at Aintree racecourse to cheer on the horses from the first fence to the final furlong.
Which horse will you be cheering? Check out the Grand National 2019 runners – Click Here
VINTAGE CLOUDS
Trained by Sue Smith and owned by Trevor Hemmings, Vintage Clouds was entered last in 2018 but didn’t make the cut. He went to the Scottish National instead and finished in third place.
TIGER ROLL
Winner of the 2018 Grand National, Tiger Roll gave trainer Gordon Elliott his second win in the Aintree showpiece and jockey Davy Russell his first. Gordon Elliott has stated that Tiger Roll will be back at Aintree to defend his title in 2019. No horse has won back-to-back Nationals since the mighty Red Rum in 1974.
ANIBALE FLY
Came fourth in the 2018 Grand National despite carrying a hefty 11-08. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this classy Tony Martin trained horse in the frame this time around. Although, likely to carry a big weight once again. If the price is right, crafty each-way punters could be flying high.
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BELLSHILL
Bellshill has previously been entered in the National but he’s never actually run in the race. Signs are good that he could make an appearance in 2019. I would expect this winner of the 2018 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup to put up a good show if he makes it this year.
ONE FOR ARTHUR
The winner of the 2017 Grand National was injured and missed out the 2018 renewal. Thankfully, Lucinda Russell’s nine-year-old is on the mend and should be back in 2019. We’ll know for sure in February – when the official Grand National entrants are announced. One to keep an eye on during the early season.
PLEASANT COMPANY
Lost out by the smallest margin in 2018. A photo finish was needed to separate eventual winner Tiger Roll from Pleasant Company (2nd). Showed great spirit with his bold jumping and extraordinary late charge for the finishing post. No doubt he’ll have lots of company in the betting ring at Aintree.
BALLYOPTIC
Was on superb form last season and rounded it off with a fourth place finish at the Cheltenham Festival before finishing second in the Scottish Grand National.
BLAKLION
Connections will have been devastated to see Blaklion brought down at the first fence last year. In light of last year’s misfortune, no one could begrudge him another crack at the race. A smart chaser who could go well. Let’s hope he gets a slice of luck.
FOLSOM BLUE
A solid chaser who won the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown in February. Clearly loves the longer distances but will be 12 years old by the time the 2019 Grand National rolls around.
GENERAL PRINCIPLE
A decent record of winning or placing in half of his chase starts. Last year he scored a big win at Fairyhouse in the Irish Grand National. His trainer is no stranger in the winners’ enclosure either. Gordon Elliott has already won the Grand National twice, last year with Tiger Roll and back in 2007 with Silver Birch. In principle, you’d have to fancy this horses chances given the team behind him.
Ratings Explained
We give each horse a rating based on how closely it matches the past trends and statistics of previous winners
Unlikely to mount a serious challenge.
Could place with a slice of luck.
A strong eachway chance and could even win it.
The horses listed on this page are potential entries in the 2019 Randox Health Grand National.
These horses are NOT guaranteed a place. Ante-post betting rules apply.
Odds listed on this page are taken from Paddy Power on 29/11/2018. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet as fluctuations can occur.
Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – please read them before signing up.
Race News & Updates
Bookmakers across the UK are anticipating over £250m of bets being taken on the Grand National 2019 from millions of customers. Only a few of those placing bets will manage to back the winner on the day. Will you be one of them?
Some people will take a punt on a tip from a friend, others will pick a runner based on the colour of silks worn by the jockey, while more will lump on a horse for no other reason than they like the name of the horse. In fact when Rule The World won in 2016 a significant amount of people who had backed it did so because it was their favourite Take That song!
If you want to be more strategic about your choice of a horse then you can study the trends and statistics that have emerged over the last ten years and try to determine patterns that will help whittle down your selections.
Only three winners carried more than 11-00 and they were Many Clouds in 2015 (11-09), Neptune Colognes in 2012 (11-06) and Don’t Push It in 2010 (11-05).
Seven of the last ten winners were 9, 10 or 11 years old. Tiger Roll in 2018, One For Arthur in 2017 and Many Clouds in 2015 broke that trend as they were all eight years old.
Only two winners went off as the favourite and they were Don’t Push It in 2010 (10/1) and Comply Or Die in 2008 (7/1). Mon Mome won on 100/1 but he was first since 1967 to do that. In fact the average odds of a winning Grand National horse are around 20/1.
Nine winners had at least four seasonal runs before going on to win the Grand National. The only two who had less were Ballabriggs in 2011 and One For Arthur in 2017 and they both had run three times.
Nine winners had either won or placed in a race longer than 3m in the season they won the Grand National. Only one, Auroras Encore had not won or placed on the run-up to the 2013 National.
None of the last 10 winners unseated their jockey in the season they won the Grand National.
Eight of the last ten winners had not fallen in the season they won the Grand National.
Ideally what you’re looking for is a Grand National 2019 Runner that is carrying 11-00 or less, who is 9, 10 or 11 years old. Avoid the favourites and look for those who are priced between 14/1 and 40/1 and who have at least three seasonal runs, with extra consideration for those who have won or placed at 3 miles or more.
Or simply tear up the stats and pick a runner because you like its name!
There are sixteen individual fences that need to be jumped in the 2019 Grand National, 14 of them twice as the race is run over two laps of the famous Aintree course.
Fence 6 & 22 – Becher’s Brook
Becher’s Brook is 5 feet high with the landing side between 6 inches and 10 inches lower than the takeoff side and is named after Captain Martin Becher who fell there in the first Grand National and took shelter in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field thundered over.
Fence 7 & 23 – Foinavon
Foinavon is 4 feet 6 inches and is one of the smallest fences on the course. It was named in 1984 after the 1967 winner who avoided a mêlée at the fence to go on and win the race at outside odds of 100/1.
Fence 8 & 24 – Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is 5 ft high and is known for it’s difficult 90-degree left turn immediately after landing. Jockey Richard Pitman said of this fence “you can win or lose a Grand National at the Canal Turn, because any length you can gain in the air is more economical than having to gallop it.”
Fence 9 & 25 – Valentine’s
Valentine’s is 5 feet high with a 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) brook and was named after a horse called Valentine who was reputed to have jumped the fence hind legs first in 1840.
Between Fences 12 & 13 – Melling Road
A famous part of the course located between fences 12 and 13 when the runners cross it near to the Anchor Bridge, a popular vantage point since the earliest days of the race.
Fence 15 – The Chair
One of the most difficult fences on the course, The Chair is 5 feet 2 inches high but is preceded by a 6 ft wide ditch and Grand National Runners only jump this once, on the first lap. The fence was originally the location where a distance judge sat in the earliest days of the race. The practise was done away with but the monument where the chair stood is still there.
Fence 16 – Water Jump
The Water Jump is 2 feet 6 inches and is the second fence that runners only jump once during the race. The Water Jump was one of the most popular jumps on the course but over the years, The Chair has overshadowed it in popularity.
Once all the fences have been jumped the runners and riders head for the home straight which is one of the longest in the United Kingdom at 494 yards and one that many potential winners have had victory snatched away!
Betting Guides
News
Sizing Tennessee Jumps into Grand National Picture11th December 2018 - 10:42 am
18 Head To The Becher Chase At Aintree6th December 2018 - 11:44 am
Vintage Clouds Advertises National Claims With Haydock Win3rd December 2018 - 11:35 am
3 Main Contenders for Grand National 201927th November 2018 - 12:01 pm
Rock The Kasbah To Head To Grand National22nd November 2018 - 11:00 am