2014 Grand National Betting Tips Pt 1

Now that we’re just a week away from the biggest race of the entire year it’s worth taking a look at some of the late-emerging trends in the antepost market for the 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National. As it currently stands, there are several key favourites and one trading at a single-digit price tag while we have also just seen the withdrawal of Sunnyhillboy from contention as it emerged that he simply wouldn’t be ready in time for the race. 

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Teaforthree is currently considered to be the 9/1 favourite for the massive race unfolding at Aintree next Saturday and his position right around the middle of the handicap makes him appealing in that capacity. However, it must be admitted that his overall record this year leaves a lot to be desired as Teaforthree has still failed to register a victory since winning back to back races around festival time in 2012 having taken a 2k race at Chepstow and then capturing the Amateur Riders race at Cheltenham. 

There have been a few decent runs in there and, the 8/13 in the Gold Cup this year notwithstanding, many are looking back to his mid-February effort at Ascot where he was just a quarter of a length behind Restless Harry after a tough 3m trip over soft going and fences. 

He was carrying just a shade more weight than he’s going to be carrying in the national but he will still have much more ground to cope with and the 9/1 price tag does take him out of each-way contention. The national is a bit of a lottery as it is and you want to have more than one out if you’re looking to wager anything substantial. While Teaforthree could certainly win it, you reckon there are a few other sharp selections at a significantly better price out there at the moment. 

Balthazar King is one we have our eye on and he is trading at a very competitive 33/1 right now with a good variety of bookmakers. That price bodes well as he has been able to take a number of long distance races this year and many of them were competitive Class 2 handicaps. He will have faced a number of the entrants in the National already and goes into the race this year undefeated in four starts. A perennial entrant in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival he was able to capture it this year and will be looking to improve significantly on his 15th place in the Grand National.