Bet on the Grand National with totesport
The John Smith’s Grand National is the world’s greatest steeplechase, and is the race that both the occasional punter and horse racing fan can enjoy to the full with totesport.
The ‘National’ always captures the imagination of the betting public and punters from all walks of life can’t resist the thrill of cheering home the winner of a race run over the marathon trip of four-and-a-half miles. In addition to the extreme distance, the runners must negotiate 30 awesome fences, including ‘The Chair’, ‘Becher’s Brook’ and the ‘Canal Turn’.
Ante-post betting on the Grand National is always lively and at totesport our market for the 2008 race, to be run on Saturday 5th April, developed as soon as the 2007 renewal was over
Defending champion Silver Birch has been ruled out of the event after sustaining an injury so a new name is almost certain to be added to the famous roll of honour.
The amazing drama and stories associated with the Grand National have become part of British racing folklore; Aldaniti’s heroic 1981 victory under cancer survivor Bob Champion; Devon Loch’s inexplicable belly flop on the run-in when looking certain to score in the 1956 race; Foinavon avoiding the melee that stopped the rest of the field half-way through the 1967 race and then going on to win at odds of 100/1. These are just a few of the stories that have made the Grand National arguably the most exciting television sporting event.
The horse that has lived longest in the memory though is the great Red Rum, a cheaply-bred gelding trained by second-hand car salesman ‘Ginger McCain’ on the sands at Southport in Lancashire, winner of the race in 1973, 74 & 77 and runner-up in both 1975 & ‘76. This great horse single-handedly turned around the fortunes of the race that had gone into a decline during the previous decades and put the National firmly back on the international sporting map.
Irish challengers have definitely been worth following of late with four of the last five winners coming from Ireland, including last years shock 33/1 scorer Silver Birch.
There is often an Irish gamble with totesport which develops on the day of the race and the changing odds make fascinating reading.
Only one horse, Hedgehunter (2005), has carried more than 11 stone to victory since Corbiere in 1983, suggesting that top-weights have a significant challenge these days since the course was adapted in the 1990’s.
However, jumping and guts remain hugely important factors and a horse who has difficulty negotiating park courses will be big odds just to get round Aintree, let alone to get among the places.
Some great jockeys have never won the National and the list includes arguably the finest of them all, Tony McCoy, who has yet to ride the winner after 12 attempts.
No female has yet to make the frame but Geraldine Rees became the first female jockey to complete the course riding Cheers in 1982.
Only twelve mares have ever won the National, the most recent being Nickel Coin in 1951. Since then, the mares Gentle Moya (2nd 1956), Tiberetta (3rd 1957 and 2nd 1958), Miss Hunter (3rd 1970), Eyecatcher (3rd 1976 and 1977), Auntie Dot (3rd 1991), Ebony Jane (4th 1994) and Dubacilla (4th 1995) have all finished in the first four.
Only two greys have won the Grand National - The Lamb (1868 and 1871) and Nicolaus Silver (1961). The grey Suny Bay was second to Lord Gyllene in 1997 and again behind Earth Summit the next year
So plenty to consider when making your selections and remember, totesport offers a market-leading range of betting opportunities for the Grand National. In the weeks and months leading up to the race ante-post odds are available offering tempting prices for all the horses entered at the first declaration stage. Closer to the day of the race, specialist markets are offered, whilst on raceday itself, win, each-way (four places), number of finishers, Irish winner, and many other markets are on offer. And, of course, there is also the opportunity to betting at traditional odds or with the Tote, that very often offers better returns to your money, particularly on the bigger priced runners.
So check out all the latest Grand National betting now at totesport.com.
