Grand National 2018 - Ante-post Review

It's that time again. 

When talk of Red Rum, Mr Frisk and toothless jockeys tell their opinion that this year 'I'm going to win the greatest steeplechase in the world.' 

The Grand National 2018 sends punters into a frenzy with the hope they will pick the winner. Saturday 14th April is the fixture of the Grand National.

It's a race steeped in history. 

But which horses are likely to be a big player on the day? The ante-post market is still rather open but that doesn't stop bookmakers from offering prices or websites from having an opinion. 

So what does the ante-post market tell us? 

At the time of writing, if you have a horse you fancy to go well or even win, then I'd suggest you take the price because bookmakers are giving 25/1 if not much bigger odds on every horse. 

Major hopes:

Nigel Twiston-Davies hasn't won the National since Bindaree prevailed in 2002 at odds of 20-1. 

Blaklion, a son of Kayf Tara, has proven he likes the course when finishing fourth last year behind One For Arthur. He was favourite that day when beaten less than nine lengths. Connections are limbering up for this April and this bay gelding returned in December to Aintree winning well over a distance of 3 mile 2 furlongs on heavy going. Just 7-4 favourite that day, but a remarkably consistent nine-year-old who could well be peaking at the right time. He has the experience and talent to make his mark at the highest level with a highest official rating of 161.   

With career earnings of almost £400,000, a Grand National win will propel him to almost a millionaire. 

Other horses who feature high in the pecking order of the National betting include:

Colin Tizzard's Native River. This eight-year-old chestnut gelding is a class horse. A winner of 9 races in his National Hunt career and achieving prize money over £400,000. In 2016, he won at Aintree and regular at Cheltenham. At present, this horse is priced 25-1 with bookmakers. 

Other notable prospects worthy of an interest include Paul Nicholls' Vincente. Plenty of layers giving 33-1 on this noble charge. 

Jonjo O'Neil last won the race in 2010 with Don't Push It, ridden by Tony McCoy when 10-1JF. Perhaps Minella Rock is your idea of this year's hero. 

The market is so open at present you may fancy a few selections. 

Cause Of Causes - Gordon Elliot 33-1. 

Definitely Red - Brian Ellison - 33-1.

The Last Samuri - Kim Bailey 40-1.

Come the big day, will you be betting on the Grand National 2018 winner?

Grand National: Five Leading Contenders

The Cheltenham Festival is over for another year but now focus turns to the Grand National meeting at Aintree. Some of the best thoroughbreds in the business will compete at the three-day event but the majority of attention will be on the Grand National – arguably the toughest race in the industry. Here are five leading contenders for glory ahead of April’s big race.

CAUSE OF CAUSES

The nine-year-old romped to victory in the Cross Country Chase to secure his third Festival victory in as many years and all signs point towards a good run at Aintree. Cause of Causes has won now the Cross Country Chase as well as the Kim Muir Handicap and the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a Grand National triumph could be on the cards.

Last year, Cause of Causes completed the famous Aintree race; coming home in eighth – a respectable effort to say the least. This time around, his preparation has been perfect and trainer Gordon Elliott looks set to give the green light for a run at Aintree.

HIGHLAND LODGE

Highland Lodge is somewhat of a course specialist and the 2015 Becher Chase winner could feature prominently if he gets decent track position early on. Trained by Cumbrian-based James Moffatt, the 11-year-old missed out on this race last year after he fell short in the weights. This year, he should make the cut fairly comfortably.

In December, he attempted to win the Becher for the second year in a row but missed out by a short head to Vieux Lion Rouge – currently a strong tip and one of the ante post favourites. Should he avoid trouble, Highland Lodge’s consistent jumping gives him a fantastic chance.

THE YOUNG MASTER

One to watch. He fell in December’s Becher Chase but his fifth in the Ultima Handicap at the Festival should be respected and Neil Mulholland will be quietly confident of Aintree success next month. He has been well backed in recent weeks and that effort at Cheltenham may be enough to tempt punters to have a nibble as Aintree draws closer.

Unfortunately, he is still young and he has a lot to learn. In the last 14 years, only one eight-year-old (Many Clouds) has won this race and history is certainly against him. However, he is talented enough to go far and he could surprise us all.

THE LAST SAMURI

Jockey David Bass was given a dream ride on The Last Samuri in this race twelve months ago but Rule The World found more in the final couple of furlongs to snatch victory under David Mullins. Last year’s effort means that The Last Samuri must be respected and, barring a fall, he will be there or thereabouts at the business end of the race.

He was disappointing in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster earlier this month but The Last Samuri will enjoy a return to Aintree. He finished third in the Becher Chase in December but may appreciate a longer trip; don’t rule him out just yet.

VIEUX LION ROUGE

But perhaps the pick of the bunch is Vieux Lion Rouge. He’s had the beating of these rivals in recent months and David Pipe will be full of confidence after a successful Cheltenham. He is well placed to go well off his current mark and will almost certainly have Tom Scudamore on board if all is well with both horse and jockey.

Like The Young Master, he is only eight years old but experience is nothing when you boast so much talent. Vieux Lion Rouge won the Grand National trial at Haydock last month and he is probably the pick of the bunch based on recent form.