National Hunt’s most famous race, the Grand National encompasses the nation each year and brings the country to a halt for ten minutes of equine spectacle. The winner is etched into racing folklore and with forty runners taking the start each year, it’s always a hugely tricky puzzle to solve.
That makes the betting even more crucial, with market movers potentially holding the key to some of the big players of this year’s National. We’ve done the work for you, and found three 2019 Grand National horses who have come in for significant support in the recent weeks. Looking for some Grand National trends, look no further than our insight!
Master trainer Willie Mullins will be looking for his second win in the Grand National, and hopes are high coming off the back of his first Gold Cup success. Rathviden has long been touted as a National horse, knuckling down gamely to win four-miler at the Festival back in 2018.
He’s had the perfect preparation for the race this year, returning this campaign with a very comfortable success in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. He has to carry just 10st 10lb, which is an ideal weight in the National, and stepping up to this stamina-sapping distance should bring out only the best in him.
It’s rare that Trevor Hemmings doesn’t have a big chance in the Grand National and this year sees him pairing up with Sue Smith. Vintage Clouds has always excelled in the toughest tests, placing in the Scottish National back in 2018.
He posted an arguably career-best effort when finishing second in the Ultima Handicap at the Festival, finding a huge amount for pressure in the closing stages. Stepping up this trip should prompt plenty of further progress, and he’d be a very popular success given the name and colours he bares.
It’s also rare when Trevor Hemmings doesn’t have more than one potential winner of the National! Nick Alexander would be a very popular winner of the race for Scotland and he saddles Lake View Lad, who has done nothing but improve this campaign.
He was bidding for a hat-trick in the Ultima at the Festival on his latest start, carrying 11st 12lb on the day. He flew up the hill to finish a brave third, two lengths behind the aforementioned Vintage Clouds. He’s an unknown quantity beyond three miles, but his running style suggests he’ll excel over the distance. He goes on any ground and looks a fascinating contender.