2012 Grand National Betting Tips

48 stand-out contenders are still in the mix for the 2012 Grand National at Aintree and there's lots to like about the field, with some very interesting movement in the odds unfolding over Easter weekend. Soft conditions are expected to hold through to Saturday's showpiece and punters will be frantically checking the reports from clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch as both courses look set to run at Good to soft, soft in places.

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The field has been clipped from 79 to 48 with a few more withdrawals happening in just the past few hours. There is a huge camp of ante post punters who must be disappointed with the withdrawal of Burton Port, who had been competitive for the National throughout the entire year.

Burton Port had been as low as 14/1 for the National ante post.

Several other big names who are now off the list include The Midnight Chase, Quel Esprit, Roberto Goldback, Apt Approach and Psycho.

Last year's Grand National winner Ballabriggs returns to defend his title and has only had one outing this season – a fourth-place finish at Kelso in a chase contest. He had been send off at a slim 2/1 amidst a field of five with Jason Maguire in the irons. He tracked the leaders for much of the race but was not able to rate in any significant manner.

Observers were confident that Ballabriggs was much better for the race and it was really not much more than a workout for this Saturday's contest. Regardless, his inability to quicken at the right time in a 2m6f contest doesn't bode well for his ability over 4m4f , though he does have a five-week freshening working in his favour.

He remains the second-best rated horse behind Gold Cup winner Synchronised, who will be looking for his third graded race in a row. Looking to complete a very dynamic treble of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase, Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grade 3 Grand National, Synchronised could emerge as a horse for the ages should he prove victorious at this distance.

The son of Sadlers Wells knows how to get the job done and punters have seen him get clipped down to 6/1 for National glory. Expect the price to shorten as softer conditions bring things into his favour. Winning the National carrying 11-10 would etch his name into the history books.

West End Rocker will like the news of softer going and this has prompted bookmakers to clip him to 12/1 from a price of 14/1 in previous weeks.

Shakalakaboomboom has a nice set up for this race and will be running for the in-form Nicky Henderson yard. He seems to be in a real sweet spot for the National based on his ratings and weights while the likes of Planet of Sound, According to Pete and Seabass all look very reasonable contenders worth keeping an eye on this week.