Weight Worries
In the last 10 years just four winners carried more than 11st. None carried top weight.
The 2021 Grand National will be held at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 10th at 5.15pm. Sponsored by Randox Health, it is a UK handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 514 yards with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps.
The prize fund for the Grand National is £1,000,000 which makes it the most valuable jump race in Europe. 600 million people will watch the race in over 140 countries with more than 70,000 in attendance at Aintree on the day.
40 horses and their jockeys will line-up in what is the ultimate test in British horse racing. The Grand National course has much larger fences than normal. The Chair, Valentine’s Brook, Foinavon, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn are just some of the famous fences that runners and rider need to navigate in the race.
Which horse will you be cheering on? Check out our full guide to all the Grand National 2021 runners – Click Here
Paddy Power 6 Places E/W
The majority of bookmakers will payout each-way bets places to 4th, Paddy Power payout to 6th. Please check with your bookmakers for full details.
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill has always had one eye on the Grand National for the Trevor Hemmings owned Cloth Cap. The nine-year-old impressed recently with a win in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, and he ticks all the right boxes for a potential Grand National winner. There’s only one problem; the threadbare odds!
NO: 28 | FORM: 328-311 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: T. Scudamore | TRAINER: J. O’Neill
The Ted Walsh trained horse hasn’t been in sparkling form this season and was pulled up in the Goffs at Gowran Park. However, a win last time out at Navan boosted his chances. Previously at winner at Cheltenham over 3 miles, so you can’t count him out.
NO: 15 | FORM: 1-99P1 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | JOCKEY: M. Walsh | TRAINER: T. Walsh
Burrows Saint gave trainer Willie Mullins his first Irish Grand National win in 2019. He then took a long break before returning this season and qualified for the 2021 Grand National when starting in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, finishing in second place. Could he give Willie Mullins his second Grand National winner since Hedgehunter in 2005?
NO: 7 | FORM: 31-262 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | JOCKEY: P. Mullins | TRAINER: W. Mullins
Usually seen running over shorter distances, he’s only started at 3 miles twice under race rules, though he notched up a very decent second place at Leopardstown in December. Odds crashed when red hot Jockey Rachael Blackmore was pencilled in to ride him. Can he win it? Time will tell.
NO: 35 | FORM: 20-122 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-03 | JOCKEY: R. Blackmore | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
Won at Ascot before finishing a long way behind Takingrisks at Doncaster in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase. Has notched up five wins from 16 starts over fences. Wind surgery appears to have improved his performance levels when he finished 3rd at Kempton at the end of February.
NO: 13 | FORM: -6U173 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | JOCKEY: J. O’Neill Jnr | TRAINER: C. Tizzard
Magic Of Light came close to spoiling the party for Tiger Roll in the 2019 Grand National. Considering the mare started off on odds at 125/1, it was a fantastic achievement to finish second and a good day for her each-way backers. Jessica Harrington’s mare goes again in 2021, but her odds are shorter this time round!
NO: 8 | FORM: 8-4128 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | JOCKEY: R. Power | TRAINER: J Harrington
Nicky Richard’s 12-year-old has won a Scottish National, a Sky Bet Chase and the Rehearsal Chase, proving he’s a less risky runner than many of the horses listed here. Despite his age, he is still worthy of each way consideration.
NO: 19 | FORM: 65-P41 | AGE: 12 | WEIGHT: 10-07 | JOCKEY: S. Quinlan | TRAINER: N. Richards
He was pulled up in the 2019 Irish Grand National but finished 2nd in the Becher Chase in 2019 and 2020, so he can clearly handle those big Aintree fences. Previously a winner over 3 miles 5f, so stamina and distance shouldn’t be a concern; Kimberley Candy could be a sweet selection.
NO: 14 | FORM: 5P/21-2 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | JOCKEY: R. McLernon | TRAINER: T. Lacey
Bagged three back-to-back wins as a novice chaser and was 3rd in the Paddy Power Chase in December. Farclas will carry just 10-03 in the Grand National, which will give him a significant advantage over the rest of the field.
NO: 34 | FORM: 1-5342 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-03 | JOCKEY: J. Kennedy | TRAINER: D. Foster
Acapella Bourgeois has previously been entered into the Grand National but has never made the race. In fact, he’s never run at Aintree. Winner of the Bobbyjo Chase in both 2020 and 2021, could this be the year Acapella hits the high notes?
NO: 9 | FORM: 61-251 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | JOCKEY: D. Mullins | TRAINER: W. Mullins
He was third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 and generated plenty of buzz last season. May lack experience at Aintree but the handicapper has given him every chance.
NO: 26 | FORM: 833-25 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: B. Cooper | TRAINER: P. Nolan
A previous winner of the Midlands and Welsh National will have obvious claims on the Grand National. Connections insist he will be ready for the big day at Aintree but he will need a helping hand from the rain gods, you’d be potty to rule him out.
NO: 23 | FORM: 11-37P | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: J. Tudor | TRAINER: C Williams
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Bristol De Mai has notched up earnings of more than £800K during his career so far. He has also won or placed in 22 of his 28 chase runs. The Handicapper has given him a significant weight to carry, but he looks up for the challenge.
NO: 1 | FORM: 229-12 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 11-10 | JOCKEY: D. Jacob | TRAINER: N. Twiston-Davies
Anibale Fly was 4th in the 2018 Grand National and fifth in 2019 despite being top weight! Returned to racing this season in the BobbyJo Chase, and despite finishing last, you cannot rule out a horse that has twice finished the Grand National places—flying under the bookie’s radar – maybe?
NO: 12 | FORM: 9883-5 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | JOCKEY: D. O’Regan | TRAINER: AJ Martin
Was a red hot favourite for this race back in 2017 (pulled up). He’s the kind that could run a blinder or lose interest halfway around. Nevertheless, the veteran showed plenty of fight to finish 4th behind Cloth Cap at Kelso recently.
NO: 5 | FORM: 21-8F4 | AGE: 12 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | JOCKEY: R. Mania | TRAINER: B Ellison
Winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2019 but has failed to hit those heights since. Has won over 3m5f in the past, so he should cope with the distances. Lots of blazing sunshine would aid his cause.
NO: 10 | FORM: 3P-30 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | JOCKEY: T. Cannon | TRAINER: A. King
Finish sixth in last years Ryanair Chase, came third at Punchestown and won a mare’s chase at Clonmel. A third-place finish at Cheltenham this season did her chances no harm; odds will appeal to canny each-way backers, unlikely to win, but many bookmakers are paying out e/w on six places.
NO: 20 | FORM: -31023 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-07 | JOCKEY: K. Sexton | TRAINER: D. Foster
Entered in the 2019 Grand National but didn’t run, instead opting for the Gold Cup at Sandown where he placed 4th. Form has become somewhat unpredictable of late – Can Give Me a Copper steal the silverware this Saturday? No comment!
NO: 33 | FORM: /17-2P | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: S. Bowen | TRAINER: P. Nicholls
Has previously been entered to the Grand National but never made the starting line-up. Finished third in the Welsh National in January and followed that success with a win at Taunton. The gutsy eleven-year-old stays all day and will be a willing partner for jockey Bryony Frost.
NO: 3 | FORM: -2F314 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-03 | JOCKEY: B. Frost | TRAINER: P. Nicholls
Chris’s Dream has notched up notable wins, including the Red Mills Chase and the Troytown Handicap Chase. Ran in last year’s Gold Cup and finished second in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase. However, he did pull up in the Ryanair Chase – nearly half the Grand National distance – Not the dream preparation for the big one.
NO: 2 | FORM: 110-25P | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-07 | JOCKEY: D. O’Keefe | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
This grey horse will be popular with punters, but it’s worth remembering he was pulled up in his first attempt in this race back in 2019. Owner Trevor Hemmings will be hoping Lake View Lad can add to his collection of Grand National trophies, if his other runner Cloth Cap fails to deliver.
NO: 6 | FORM: 33-155 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: B. Hughes | TRAINER: N. Alexander
He’s a grafter and has never fallen or unseated in 47 races. He’s run in the Bowl, Melling, and Topham Chases at Aintree, so he knows the place well. Unlikely to win, but this old soldier should give a good account of himself.
NO: 36 | FORM: 4-0244 | AGE: 12 | WEIGHT: 10-03 | JOCKEY: T. Worsley | TRAINER: G. Howell
Won the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, boosting his chances; he might need softer ground to be in with a serious shout. Was second at Cheltenham last year in the National Hunt Cup and also ran in the 2021 Welsh National, finishing in ninth place.
NO: 22 | FORM: 2-4991 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: N. Scholfield | TRAINER: R. Hobson
Moved to Willie Mullins yard in 2019, following a spell in France. Won for his new trainer on his first time out but other than a 2nd place (2020) and 3rd place (2021) in the Goffs Thyestes; he hasn’t shown any real class.
NO: 24 | FORM: 2-P034 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: B. Hayes | TRAINER: W. Mullins
The Long Mile ticks a few boxes, but questions remain over this ability to handle the long Aintree trip. When you consider that 7-years-old have a terrible record in the race, The Long Mile starts to look like a long shot.
NO: 32 | FORM: 1-F103 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: L. Dempsey | TRAINER: J. Dempsey
Won the Kim Muir at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival on his first start at more than three miles and won on his return this season at Galway. However, his last two runs have been disappointing, and a 9th place finish at Cheltenham didn’t help his claims much.
NO: 25 | FORM: -12P09 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: J. Codd | TRAINER: D. Foster
A reasonably successful hurdler who’s come into his own over the bigger fences. He has never fallen, pulled up or unseated his jockey under race rules, which bodes well for his chances in the National. However, the extreme distance could test his stamina.
NO: 31 | FORM: 012143 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: T. Bellamy | TRAINER: A. King
A horse with plenty of experience at Aintree, was 4th behind Grand National winner One For Arthur in 2017. He ran again the following year but was brought down. Whether or not he still has what it takes at 12-year-old remains to be seen.
NO: 40 | FORM: 85/074 | AGE: 12 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: H. Skelton | TRAINER: D. Skelton
Ran in the 2019 National but unfortunately fell at fence 26. Returned to Aintree for the Becher Chase in 2019 and finished 11th, a long way off the winner. I can’t see him winning, but a place might come into view.
NO: 4 | FORM: 1-P067 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | JOCKEY: S. Twiston-Davies | TRAINER: N. Twiston-Davies
Vieux Lion Rouge has already chalked up four runs in the Grand National; he successfully jumped round in all those races but didn’t make the places in any of them. Will it be fifth time a charm?
NO: 27 | FORM: 97-510 | AGE: 12 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: C. O’Farrell | TRAINER: D. Pipe
A win at Kempton in January gave connections something to cheer after a four-year wait. Has experience around Aintree but was pulled up in the 2017 Grand National.
NO: 38 | FORM: 7-9316 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: J. Burke | TRAINER: T. George
Fell at the Chair in the 2018 Grand National on the first circuit. A few months later, moved to Gordon Elliott’s yard and was pencilled in for the 2019 race but withdrew due to injury. Form this season is mixed – has finished last twice and pulled up in two others but then finished 4th in the Cross Country at Cheltenham.
NO: 17 | FORM: 595PP4 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | JOCKEY: J. McGarvey | TRAINER: D. Foster
Won the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January last season. Has only had one run this season, at Cheltenham in the Ultima where he was pulled up. This trip may just be beyond him unless Nicky Henderson can work a miracle.
NO: 18 | FORM: /091-P | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: D. O’Connor | TRAINER: N Henderson
Isn’t having a great season so far. He pulled up in the Savills Chase, but he did get over the Aintree fences to finish 8th in the Becher Chase in December, boosting his credentials. A useful sort a few seasons ago but looks past his best.
NO: 21 | FORM: P78P06 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-07 | JOCKEY: S. Waley-Cohen | TRAINER: J. Harrington
This mare is a previous winner of a Kerry and Munster National. If she hits the right notes over the Aintree fences, backers could be singing her praises on Saturday. However, this race looks a little above her range.
NO: 29 | FORM: 31238P | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: S. O’Keefe | TRAINER: W. Mullins
Bags of Aintree experience running there 6 times in the past, including two Becher Chases though he unseated his rider in the 2020 race. Runs well at 3m but has never been tested beyond 3m2½f.
NO: 30 | FORM: -11UU7 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: B. Poste | TRAINER: K. Price
While he has notched up a couple of decent second-place finishes recently, his last win was December 2017, likely to be outclassed on the day. Looks more like a “good day out” entry rather than being a serious contender.
NO: 39 | FORM: 62P-22 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: K. Woods | TRAINER: G. McPherson
Five starts since October 2020 and has been well beaten in all of them, including unseating Rachael Blackmore in the Cross Country at Cheltenham. Others look better suited to the demands of this race.
NO: 16 | FORM: -4764U | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | JOCKEY: A. Coleman | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
Winner of the Grand Sefton at Aintree in 2019, Hogans Height was entered into the Grand National last year before it was cancelled. However, he has only run twice since then, in a hurdle at Wincanton and the Cross Country at Cheltenham, where he finished in 6th place.
NO: 37 | FORM: 715-P6 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-03 | JOCKEY: G. Sheehan | TRAINER: J. Snowden
It’s been over two years since Tout Est Permis last saw the winners enclosure, and this season hasn’t produced any great runs either. He was well beaten in the Savills Chase (78L), pulled up in the Goffs Thyestes, and fell at Down Royal.
NO: 11 | FORM: 359P4F | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | JOCKEY: S. Flanagan | TRAINER: N. Meade
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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.
Odds listed on this page are taken from Paddy Power on 10/04/21. 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.
Bookmakers across the UK anticipate that over £250m in bets will be staked on the 2021 Grand National 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!
Being more strategic about your choice of a horse only involves a little extra work. Read the racing news and 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 four winners carried more than 11-01 and they were Tiger Roll in 2019 (11-05), 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 from the last ten Grand Nationals. They were Tiger Roll in 2019 (4/1) and Don’t Push It in 2010 (10/1). It can be argued that racing fans actually backed jockey AP McCoy, more so than the horse! 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.
Seven winners had at least four seasonal runs before going on to win the Aintree spectacular. The only three who had less were Ballabriggs in 2011, One For Arthur in 2017 and Tiger Roll in 2019. They had all 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 2021 Runner that is carrying 11-00 or less, who is 9, 10 or 11 years old. Generally, when online betting, avoid the favourites and look for those who are priced between 14/1 and 33/1 and who have at least three seasonal runs, with extra consideration for those who have won or placed at 3 miles or more. Tiger Roll was the exception, not the rule.
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 2021 Grand National, 14 of them twice as the race is run over two laps of the famous Aintree course.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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!