2009 GRAND NATIONAL ODDS AND TIPS FOR BIG FELLA THANKS

Big Fella Thanks is a serious contender heading into the 2009 Aintree Grand National thanks to an excellent overall record and stellar recent form. Widely-tipped to make an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, the Nicholls group decided that he would be better off pursuing a Grand National run and has quickly emerged as one of the punters favourites heading into this years event. With a current ante-post price in the neighbourhood of 14/1, you're looking at solid value for this first-rate runner. I expect him to be one of the horses whose odds will shorten as we get closer to post-time. His odds have stayed relatively consistent with an original listing price closer to 16/1. Again, this is a horse on a downwards trajectory, so if you're looking to have a punt on him now, it makes good sense- especially if you're looking at an each-way bet. BIG FELLA THANKS BETTING TIPSOne thing to keep in mind, which should put a bit of a damper on the enthusiasm for this horse, is the fact that many of his victories haven't exactly come against the highest level of competition. Big Fella Thanks hasn't finished outside of the top 4 in his entire career, but the skill-level of his competitors calls his excellent form into question. For a sense of comparison, he was exposed by Ballyfitz at the Sir Tristram Ricketts Novices Chase at Cheltenham last October. Ballyfitz is listed in the Grand National ante-post markets at 50/1 compared to Big Fella Thanks' 14/1. Length of a course is generally an issue for Big Fella Thanks and a course that is slightly on the short-side tends to favour him. Many of his 3rd and 2nd place finishes have come when he was tired heading into the final stretch. Gaining the lead isn't usually the issue for Big Fella Thanks, its closing out the race that challenges him. I'm confident that Paul Nicholls will be looking to address this issue heading into the final weeks before the Grand National. With so many horses running, it can make things very difficult to pull off a victory without a perfect race. Big Fella Thanks has every chance of a victory here, but it is the final minute of the race that could very well determine his level of success.