Aintree Grand National
Updated 5 February 2008 No less than 150 horses have been entered for the John Smith's Grand National, which takes place on April 5th 2008. The Aintree showpiece will miss last year's winner Silver Birch due to injury, but 2007's three placed horses may all make the big-race line-up. Click here for £25 to bet on the Grand National with Totesport McKelvey, Slim Pickings and Philson Run all made the frame last year, the latter at a massive 100/1. McKelvey and Slim Pickings are 25/1 to improve on last year's efforts and win the biggest race in Britain, while Philson Run is just 40/1 with Paddy Power this time around. No race would be complete without a favourite trained by Paul Nicholls and the Ditcheat handler has entered seven horses, not least Mr Pointment, who trades at a best-priced 14/1 with Boylesports and Betfred. Mr Pointment put in a faultless performance in the Beecher Chase over the National fences in November of last year. Jockey Sam Thomas rode him to a length victory over Bewleys Berry, who is the second favourite and 16/1 with Bet365 to gain revenge in Liverpool. Nicholls has never won the Grand National and punters who like to back those who have seen it all before could do worse than consider an each-way ante-post punt on 2005 winner Hedgehunter. Willie Mullins has entered the 12-year-old for the fifth time, and with one win and a second at the course from just four runs, there will be numerous bettors out there who will fancy some of Ladbrokes' 40/1 about the old stager. The other option of course is to plump for breeding. Donald McCain, son of Ginger, who trained the legendary Red Rum, and who also coaxed Amberleigh House to victory in 2004, has three entries - impressive Tommy Whittle winner Cloudy Lane, Idle Talk and Bannister Lane. Denman has set alight the Gold Cup betting and runner-up to that smart chaser in the SunAlliance Chase was Mullins's Snowy Morning, who vies for second-favouritism with Bewleys Berry. Snowy Morning has won his last two races and punters who fancy him can get 16/1 with Paddy Power and VCbet. The Grand National is the most valuable National Hunt handicap horse race in the United Kingdom. It is the biggest betting race in the United Kingdom, and is popular amongst many people who do not watch horse racing at other times of the year. The National is the centerpiece of a three-day meeting, one of only four run at Aintree in the racing season Previous Grand National Winners Click here for £25 free to bet on the Grand National with Totesport
2000 Papillon 10/1
2001 Red Marauder 33/1
2002 Bindaree 20/1
2003 Monty's Pass 16/1
2004 Amberleigh House 16/1
2005 Hedgehunter 7/1
2006 Numbersixvalverde 11/1
2007 Silver Birch 33/1
