TICKETS & RACE
Its estimated that a quarter of the UK adult population will bet on the Randox Health sponsored Grand National in 2018. Most people will have a small each-way bet on a horse they fancy for no other reason than they like the name. Of course there’s nothing wrong with picking a horse for that reason, as pre-race favourites have a dire record in the race.
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.
A TV audience in excess of 10 million will tune in to watch the drama of the 2018 Grand National unfold on the 14th of April at 5:15pm. 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 runners – Click Here
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BLAKLION
If connections pitch Blaklion at the Grand National again, a more conservative ride could easily see him improve on his fourth place finish in 2017. Whether the handicapper will be kinder to this horse, however, remains to be seen.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 3-4532 | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: N TWISTON-DAVIES
CAUSE OF CAUSES
He nearly gave trainer Gordon Elliott his second Grand National win in 2017 but was pipped at the post by One For Arthur. HIs weight will undoubtedly increase if he goes again in 2018 but he's a solid chaser who won't be written off.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: P0512- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: G ELLIOTT
MINELLA ROCCO
Minella Rocco definitely stays the marathon trip of the Randox Health Grand National, as he is a former winner of the 4m National Hunt Chase for novices at the Cheltenham Festival. If he achieved that as a six-year-old, then he must be a clear contender at Aintree next year if entered.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 13FU2 | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: J O'NEILL
NATIVE RIVER
If Native River gets the green light for the Aintree Grand National then expect a rush to the bookies because he is one special horse!
Winner of the 2016 Welsh Grand National, carrying 11-12, he then followed that up by winning the Denman Chase in February. If he runs, he'll be the favourite.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 21113- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: C TIZZARD
PLEASANT COMPANY
Finished in 9th place in 2017 but was a long way off the winner, One For Arthur, who had 28L on him. That said, it was his first National attempt and his first time at Aintree so all in all not too shabby from the Willie Mullins charge.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: P/1419- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: W MULLINS
DEFINITLY RED
Was sent off by punters as a 10/1 shot in the 2017 Grand National but Definitly Red failed to reproduce the form which saw him sparkly in the Grimthorpe Chase earlier in the season. Connections will be hoping for a better show in 2018.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 131U1P | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: B ELLISON
OUR DUKE
As ante-post bets go, this is a stretch as Our Duke, as good as he is, has only raced in four chases, well below the requirement to qualify, even if one of them was a win in the Irish Grand National. Super horse, but can't see him at Aintree in 2018.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 3/1121- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: MRS J HARRINGTON
DON POLI
Was originally supposed to run in 2017 but a disagreement between the handicapper and the owner meant he was withdrawn. He was subsequently injured which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 2/3P23- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: G ELLIOTT
TOTAL RECALL
An interesting potential contender from Willie Mullins,
Total Recall has only been chasing for little more than a year and with a mixed bag of results that range from unseating to winning. Unless he has a spectacular season I can't see him mounting much of a challenge.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 4U105-1 | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: W MULLINS
UCELLO CONTI
Was a pre-race favourite in 2017 and looked to have all the attributes needed to win a race like the Grand National but unseated jockey Daryl Jacob. A solid runner who we may see back again in 2018.
NO.00 | JOCKEY: UNKNOWN | FORM: 4724U- | WEIGHT: 00-00 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: G ELLIOTT
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.
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