Best Bets for the 2019 Grand National
This year’s Randox Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool, England is the 172nd running of the world famous steeplechase where a maximum field of 40 runners will be bidding to add their name to the roll of honour in the contest.
Here is a look at the best bets for the race this year in what appears to be a wide open betting event this time around.
Tiger Roll Can End Long Wait for Back-to-Back Winner
Only two horses in the last 100 years have been able to win the Grand National in consecutive years. Reynoldstown managed the feat in 1936, while in 1974 Red Rum defended his crown after scoring 12 months earlier.
Tiger Roll has an excellent chance of adding his name to the history books when he lines up in the four-mile and two-furlong contest next month bidding to repeat what he did last year. The handicapper has given him a mark of 159 which means he will need to carry two pounds more on his back than he did in 2018.
It has been a mixed season for the Irish horse so far. He made his reappearance at Cheltenham around the cross-country course where he came home fourth of the seven runners. That was a race used to shake off the cobwebs after his summer break.
Surprisingly, the nine-year-old then featured over hurdles on his last start where he took on some good horses in the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. Connections wanted to sharpen up their horse therefore he was a +2500 shot for that race but he upset the odds to prevail by four lengths at Navan.
Tiger Roll has proved to be an excellent staying chase over the last couple of years as he is also a winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He has now won six of his 18 starts over fences but those victories have come at the big meeting. As of 12th March, he is +1100 with Betway to win the Aintree feature again where he is the one they all have to beat.
Give Me A Copper Could Be Overpriced in Betting
One of the most lightly raced horses in the Grand National this year will be Give Me A Copper as it will be just his fourth start over fences. Paul Nicholls’ runner made a return to action at Sandown last month following a 446-day lay-off.
Since his return to racing, the nine-year old has finished fourth at Sandown where he jumped very well but lacked the stamina to be competitive at the finish in the race won by Classic Ben by 12 lengths.
Give Me A Copper was fancied to go well in the Ultimate Handicap Chase on day one of four at the Cheltenham Festival. He was in contention up until the last fence where he fell when tired in the three-mile-and-one-furlong race.
The Grand National could be the time when Nicholls’ horse shines as he will be the fittest he has been all season. As of 12th March, he is +3300 to give his trainer his second winner in the last seven years and if he is successful, it could help the Ditcheat-based man to secure the Champion British Trainer crown where he currently leads the way ahead of Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton respectively.
Total Recall Set for Second Grand National Shot
Total Recall went off as the +700 favourite for the 2018 Grand National on the back of what had been an excellent campaign for the Willie Mullins-trained runner as he had won three of his four starts leading into the contest.
Unfortunately for connections, the Irish horse was pulled up before the penultimate fence on the course. His form has dipped since then as he has yet to score in four starts, however, the Aintree feature has been his target all season.
Mullins last won the Grand National 14 years ago when Hedgehunter was successful. He went close to prevailing in 2018 as he trained Pleasant Company who was second behind Tiger Roll in a tight finish.
This year’s race takes place on the 6th April where it is expected to be a sell-out at Aintree, with millions turning into the steeplechase from around the world.