Aintree Grand National Day Betting Preview

 The big day is now finally upon us and two fantastic days of racing have concluded at Aintree. Some really solid races have been running as of late and we don't expect that to stop at any point on Saturday. The Grand National is the one everybody will have their eye on and it runs at 4:15. We'll be taking a look at that, as well as all of the other races set to unfold on the day.

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The opening race at 1:45 is the John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest, where we've got ten contenders going 2m4f. Simonsig will be going off at a microscopic price if the current listing continues to gold. You'll see him at 4/9 right now with most major bookmakers. Rivals to his crown include Super Duty, Aland Islands and Colour Squadron – who all trade in the realm of 8/1.

The Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase has attracted only four entrants and one of whom is Sprinter Sacre – one of this year's Cheltenham sensations and a very likely contender for breakout jumper of the year. He could be set to secure a very short-priced double for Nicky Henderson to kick things off in a very big way on Saturday. He smashed the Arkle by seven lengths to make history and he has now won his past four races by an astounding 53 combined lengths.

Australia Day, Kudu County and Toubab step up to challenge.

The Aintree Hurdle is a Grade 1 event with another big Cheltenham performer Rock On Ruby ready to take the track by storm once again. Oscar Whiskey is here as is Thousand Stars and Zarkandar. Saphir River rounds out the field – who all run at 11-7. This is a very tricky betting race that will likely take some big swings tomorrow. Oscar Whisky is at 2/1, Rock On Ruby at 9/4 and Zarkandar is at 9/4.

A handicap chase then kicks off at 3:25 and this one boasts a very deep field and a particularly wide-open slate of odds. A massive cadre of jumpers sit in the 10/1-14/1 corridor and Ackertac looks to be a stand-out amongst the group who just hasn't had his share of luck as of late and could be set to kick on here.

The Grand National runs nearly an hour later at 4:15 and the odds are starting to take some very interesting swings as the ground continues to dampen a bit as head into Saturday's races. The actual state of the racecourse will be up in the air by the time we get round to the National but punters can bank on good, good to soft in places going through the bulk of the day.

Punters are moving off Synchronised who is out to 8/1 from a slim 6/1 while Ballabriggs remains unchanged at 12/1. Junior is also out to 12/1 from a 9/1 listing while Shakalakaboomboom is clipped to 14/1 and will continue to drop. His stand-out name will attract a lot of random punters so back him now if you genuinely fancy him.

According to Pete has taken a drop from 33/1 to 25/1 and will continue to drop as he should relish the going and the conditions. West End Rocker will want things soft and can certainly handle the distance though he has oddly drifted to 12/1 from 11/1.

Sunnyhillboy should not be discounted in addition to Rare Bob who is in from 50/1 to 33/1.

We've got another handicap hurdle to follow the National and then we've got a Grade 2 Open National Hunt Flat Race to finish the day in style.