Don’t Push It and Neptune Collonges to Carry 11st 10p in Grand National

Connections of leading Grand National fancy Ballabriggs, a ten year-old son of Presenting, have declared themselves “happy enough” with the draw for this year’s Aintree feature. The handicappers have assigned an 11st weight to the 16/1 shot who is trained by Donald McCain.

Don’t Push It, expertly-piloted by Tony McCoy, carried 11st 6lb in a winning effort last year and there is yet to be a winner carrying more than 11st 5lb since the legendary Red Rum got the job done in 1977 – carrying 11st 8lb.

Neptune Collonges and Don’t Push It have both been assigned co-top-weights in this contest and both are set to carry 11st 10lb.

The ante post markets are now moving into full swing ahead of the National as punters are able to gauge which contenders appear to be the value plays and the search is on to find the generous weightings that might bring some of the outsiders into each-way contention.

Neptune Collonges trades at a lengthy 40/1 across the board – alongside contenders such as Ballytrim, Chief Dan George, One Cool Cookie and Tricky Trickster.

Ballabriggs and Niche Market remain the only contenders trading entirely under 20/1 with every bookmaker. Niche Market notably won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse back in April of 2009 – he will be facing his Aintree debut.