Grand National at Aintree Odds, Preview and Tips

If you're on the lookout for some tips for the 2010 Grand National at Aintree, which kicks off tomorrow, you're definitely in luck.

There has been plenty of movement on some quality jumpers over the past 24 hours with bookmakers cutting prices on several charges. You'll still find some big name contenders at very big prices with only a solitary gelding, Big Fella Thanks, trading in single digits.

While some bookmakers did extensive trimming on Tuesday, as punters piled onto the each-way selections, others have neglected to make any major changes and the fact that virtually everybody is still non-runner money-back on the 2010 Grand National- you know you can bet with confidence in case any unforseen issues unfold over the next few days.

Comply or Die was almost there last year and he's had a pretty rough go of things in his two races this season, finishing 10th from 12 and 13th from 24 with both races happening at Cheltenham. He was up against some real quality in those races- one of them won by Chief Dan George.

In all honesty he didn't really have a very solid year last year either, finishing 11/15 and 7/21 before coming second to long-shot Mon Mome. He was sent off that time at about 14/1 looking for his second National in a row, if you can get him at anywhere over 25/1 you're getting a decent price. Punters are expected to pile on over the next few days so if you're planning on taking him on the each-way your time is rapidly running out.

Irish Raptor is a very solid bet, and he's got a victory over the Aintree surface, having bested a field of 29 in the Topham Chase last year. He was looking good at Aintree in the Beecher handicap before falling 2 out. He may very well have taken that one so we won't hold it against him too much. He was pushed a little too hard in his last race, the London National Chase Handicap, and faded towards the end. If he can stay on his feet, he's a very solid contender but I do have question marks over his stamina. He trades as high as 40/1.

Character Building has seen his price drop over the past 24 hours and that's earned the grey a few headlines. He's got a good reference by taking the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year, and his two previous outings this year were just exercises more than anything and he's been pointed at the National from the outset. This is definitely do-able, but he needs a mistake-free race. He's been cut to as low as 16/1 with some bookmakers, but can still be 20/1 if you get in there right away.

Cerium is still available at 66/1, and many punters feel he may be closer to 40/1 come post time. He ran 8 out of 11 in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup and that's really been his only outing since finishing fifth in last year's Grand National. He acquitted himself well and was sent off at a very large price of 100/1. If you backed him each-way on five places you were probably smiling after that one.

He should be able to handle things over the surface again and should be fresh as can be. He's definitely worth a second look and has been competing at a higher level than most for several years now.