2009 IRISH GRAND NATIONAL BETTING TIPS

Wichita Lineman is the slim favourite in the Irish Grand National Ante Post market with a current price of 8/1. There's a glut of short-priced runners and plenty of big names are being touted for the big one at Fairyhouse. Emma Jane is more or less the next best priced horse in the running and is generally available around 9/1 or 10/1 depending on where you're betting. I've got my eye on Notre Pere, who finished 2nd to the respected Neptune Collonges at the Grade One Hennessey Gold Cup. He's scored a few times over the National Hunt season and I think he's decently-priced at 10/1. I'm looking for form and quality over distances. Grade One victories help the confidence, but this style of racing is so unpredictable and I'm still up in the air about conditions on the ground at Fairyhouse. Character Building triumphed in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and he's available at solid odds of around 14/1. Air Force One is available at a solid price, and while his presence hasn't been confirmed yet, he may be worth a bash at 25/1. Another bet that jumps off the page at me is a show bet on Skip Two. He's not a high-profile name, but I think he's got the record and the presence to finish at least top 4 for this one and I'm halfway confident about an each-way bet. I think it will take a significant mistake from the two leaders for him to have any chance of winning, but I like his form and record of triumphing over large fields. Garde Champetre is good over distances and isn't badly priced at 16/1. Stay tuned over the week as betting choice publishes late-breaking news and all the latest betting tips and market-movers for the Irish Grand National.