BETFAIR DAY ONE GRAND NATIONAL BETTING TIPS FOR LIVERPOOL HURDLE

The opening race at the 2009 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree is the widely-anticipated Liverpool Hurdle and this one is set to be an absolute barn-burner with some of England's top horses competing. While the odds themselves haven't been released as of yet, we can still make some assumptions that will give us good early positioning to capitalize on the opening race of the festival. To me, Big Buck's is the biggest name in this one followed closely by Fair Along, Osana and Mighty Man. For my money, you really can't go near anybody but Big Buck's on this one as he has the form, and in particular the hurdles form, to guarantee victory here. He comes into this race with 4 wins from 5 races with the only non-winner a UR on the last hurdle at Newbury in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase. Madison Du Berlais triumphed in that one. Aside from that, he's gotten the better of the talented Punchestowns in two straight races and having secured the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, you have to admit that this is a big-time horse who thrives in the limelight. I expect to see Big Buck's as low as 5/2 and even then I would still back him. I think he'll be an integral part of any forecast or tricast betting as well. Keep your each-ways in your pocket, I think Big Buck's is only shooting for #1. He should have Ruby on top as well, just to solidify things for you. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a 4/5 come post time. In terms of the competition, Osana had a poor race in the Champion Hurdle and finished a disappointing 11th to Punjabi out of a field of 23. To me, that one was really an anomaly and a quick analysis of Osana's past experience only has him finishing outside of the top 5 twice in his entire 16-race career. I think he's a great punt on a show bet. 4/1 would be good enough for me. Mighty Man will have Richard Johnson back on top for the Liverpool Hurdle and his 5th place showing to Big Buck's at the World Hurdle at Cheltenham could be excused as a mere blip since he had Sam Thomas on the back. All of his quality runs have come with Johnson on top and it his track record is excellent. The Ladbrokes World Hurdle had been his first race in nearly two years, so I could certainly see him coming back into form. At 8/1 I think he would be a solid each-way choice. Speaking of Richard Johnson, he was on board Fair Along during the World Hurdle and they pulled up in ninth spot with Big Buck's the winner. They also finished third to Big Buck's at Cheltenham in late January in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle. Fair Along isn't capable of beating Big Buck's and he may be worth a show bet, but I don't see anything spectacular happening for him here. Grand National Free Bet Recommendations: #1. Betfair bonus £25 Free Bet. Go to get your Betfair free bet now!#2. Paddypower bonus £20 Free Bet. Get your bonus now!#4. Stan James bonus £50 Free Bet. Click here!