2012 Grand National Picture Gets Clearer

A grand total of 59 contenders remain in the mix for the 2012 Grand National with several high-profile contenders dropping out of the frame in the post-Cheltenham phase of the festival season. Aintree is just under a month away and then it will be onwards to Punchestown for many top yards as the business-end of the National Hunt season unfolds.

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The big news right now in the run up to the 2012 Grand National is the possibility of Gold Cup hero Synchronised bidding for a historic double as he remains entered in the mix for the massive Grade 3 fixture.

As it currently stands, Synchronised will head into the National as the top weight for this one while last year's winner Ballabriggs is also in contention and will more than likely be back to defend his crown. AP McCoy will stay in the irons for this one.

Recent winner at Fairuhouse, Prince De Beauchene is the reigning betting favourite for the National and much of this comes on the heels of his score at Fairyhouse in the BobbyJo Chase over veteran National entrant Black Apalachi. The nine-year-old Willy Mullins-trained gelding scored in the John Smith's Handicap Chase at last year's National meeting

You'll be able to find Prince De Beauchene anywhere from 7/1 to 10/1.

Junior has been pointed this way for quite some time while his price floats anywhere between 10/1 and 12/1. Synchronised comes in right next to him with a bigger variance. Some bookmakers have him trading at 8/1 while others list him at 12s.

Ballabriggs is a competitive 16/1 for the National while Burton Port is anywhere from 12/1 to 16/1.

West End Rocker was prominent for quite some time and is drifting a bit – now being floated in the neighbourhood of 20/1.

The longest shot on the board looks to be Abbeybraney at 150/1 who lines up for George Bewley. Anything can happen in the National.