With the big event fast approaching many people will be starting to put a bet on the Grand National. There are many key trends to look out for when picking your selection for the race and these can be found in the infographic below. One horse that is certainly heading to the National and will be fancied by many is the Gordon Elliott trained Tiger Roll. His owners Gigginstown have been very reluctant to send runners to the race in recent times due to them being allotted high weights however they were victorious back in 2016. This was when the Mouse Morris trained Rule the World landed the national by 6 lengths from The Last Samuri.
The 8 year old Tiger Roll is coming in to the race in sparkling form having landed the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham festival. This was a very eye catching performance as he travelled ominously well throughout and could be called the winner from a long way out. Considering he is renowned for showing his best on a better surface this was a top performance. His trainer did voice his concerns about the surface prior to the contest but did say he was in brilliant form going in. If Tiger Roll can bring his A game to Aintree and put in a clear round he would have to be one of the leading contenders for the race having been put in as number 30 in the weights list (10 stone 9lb).
One horse that will not be joining Tiger Roll is the Brian Ellison trained Definitly Red. He had been allotted top weight which would have been a mammoth task in itself. However he ran in the Gold Cup and was sent off a well fancied 8/1 shot. He was unable to get involved and his trainer says he had a very hard race and will be aimed at the Bowl at Aintree race than the National. Considering he isn’t the biggest horse, winning the National off top weight would be a near impossible task.
This year’s race looks as competitive as ever however if the Cheltenham festival is anything to go by then the Irish may just have the upper hand at present. Then were very successful in many of the handicaps throughout the four days so it may pay to follow them again in the likes of the previously mentioned Tiger Roll.
