This Saturday is the English Grand National from Aintree

The English Grand National is here again on Saturday and picking a winner is going to be as tough as usual. The Aintree Grand National was first run in 1839 over the 4.5 mile course stacked with large fences to test the jumping of the best horses, the youngest ever jockey to win was in 1938 when Bruce Hobbs rode Battleship which incidentally is the smallest horse ever to win; the oldest jockey title goes to Dick Saunders riding Grittar in 1982 aged 48. We are not predictors but we do try to help you make an informed decision and the first decision is which bookmaker to use based not onlyon the odds offered but also how many places are paid. Some bookmakers are offering ¼ odds for the first 4 places but if you go to Paddy Power, 888 or Bet365 you can get ¼ odds for the first 5 places which could make a big difference. Next there are some interesting statistics that might help; with the length of the race and the fences to be jumped this is no place for younger types who have never tackled more than three miles. The last time any horse under the age of 8 won this event was 1940 and the last time a horse won that had not previously won over at least 3 miles over fences was 1970. As a test of jumping this is second to none so it is not surprising that none of the last 10 winners had fallen more than twice over fences in their entire careers. Fitness is also tested to the limit so it also not surprising that the last 20 winners had all run in the 48 days leading up to the race.

The ante post favourite is Big Fella Thanks with Ruby Walsh on board and available at 7/1 pretty much everywhere, after that there are a number that come into the reckoning but last years winner Mon Mome is carrying 11-7, Black Apalachi is carrying 11-6 and Comply or Die is carrying 11-5 which is a lot of weight on the likely going. We like the idea of trying to find the outsider at big odds that might have a good day and there are a few of interest; Royal Rosa (only at number 43 in the weights list at the moment so might not run but you get your money back anyway if he doesn’t run)can be had at 100/1 at 888 or Bet365; Mr Pointment is the same odds at the same bookmakers; Ellerslie George is 100/1 at 888 and Cerium (number 41 in the weights) is 66/1 with Paddy Power and Bet365. For a bit less of a gamble there is Hello Bud at 40/1 generally or Can’t Buy Time at 25/1 with 888. Whatever happens let’s hope they all come home in good shape.