Grand National Betting
Aintree Grand National - 14th April 2012, 4.15pm: Get ready for the 30 fences and four-and-a-half miles of drama in the 2012 running of the world's most famous steeplechase with our comprehensive Grand National betting guide.
1. Choose Your Horse
On this page you will find horses listed by using the most popular methods for picking a winner and also written notes on some of the best and most famous horses in the race.
2. Get The Best Odds
We display the biggest odds from all the top bookmaking brands across all sports so you can be sure to get the best value. Each horse below shows the best odds first. To change bookmaker for your horse select the drop down.
3. Place Your Bet
The "BET NOW" button takes you straight to the bookmaker's site. If you need an account or want to take advantage of an offer, click Signup Offer or the Free Bets tab above.
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 | 1 | Dont Push It |
weight: 11-12
age: 11
trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
jockey: Tony McCoy
Looked to be heading for a career as an underachiever until storming to a five-length win in last year's race. No horse since Red Rum has carried more weight to victory and likely to be in the mix again with only 5lb more on his back. click here to read more
 | 2 | Tidal Bay |
weight: 11-9
age: 10
trainer: Howard Johnson
jockey: Brian Hughes
Looked set for the very top when winning the Arkle at Cheltenham by 13 lengths in 2008 but has since developed his own ideas about the game. Likely to either love or hate the big fences but dangerous if he's in the right frame of mind. click here to read more
 | 3 | What A Friend |
weight: 11-6
age: 8
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Daryl Jacob
Double grade one winner last season, including the Aintree Bowl over three miles. Never been straightforward and often gives the impression he doesn't want to go through the pain barrier, but fourth in first-time blinkers in last month's Gold Cup is the best form on offer. click here to read more
 | 4 | Vic Venturi |
weight: 11-6
age: 11
trainer: Dessie Hughes
jockey: Andrew Lynch
A winner over the big fences before, he was still in contention when hampered and got rid of his jockey at the 20th fence last year. Always had a touch of class but never convinced that this marathon trip suits him. click here to read more
 | 5 | Majestic Concorde |
weight: 11-5
age: 8
trainer: Dermot Weld
jockey: Robbie McNamara
Talented horse who has won nine races; on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Excellent effort when winning the Paddy Power Chase off top weight at Leopardstown, but he's not the biggest and might struggle with lots of weight in a marathon. click here to read more
 | 6 | Or Noir De Somoza |
weight: 11-5
age: 9
trainer: David Pipe
jockey: Barry Geraghty
High-level performer in France who has won over £1m in prize money. Only trip to these shores was when beaten 22 lengths by Master Minded at Ascot in January 2009 and concerning they now try him at over twice that distance. click here to read more
 | 7 | Dooneys Gate |
weight: 11-4
age: 10
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: Patrick Mullins
Highest-rated of the four Willie Mullins runners but probably the one with the least chance. Did well enough when fourth in last year's Topham over the big fences, and easy win at Clonmel last time, but have to be stamina worries. click here to read more
 | 8 | Big Fella Thanks |
weight: 11-1
age: 9
trainer: Ferdy Murphy
jockey: Graham Lee
Still only nine years old, despite having finished sixth and fourth in the last two renewals. Has switched yards but seemed in good form with himself on his last start at Newbury and no reason why he shouldn't be in the money again. click here to read more
 | 9 | The Tother One |
weight: 11-0
age: 10
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Ryan Mahon
Not won since October 2008 but has run some solid races in very decent company. Unfortunately this has pushed him further up the handicap but definitely worth a shot at this unique test. click here to read more
 | 10 | Ballabriggs |
weight: 11-0
age: 10
trainer: Donald McCain
jockey: Jason Maguire
Won five races on the bounce, including at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, but beaten at odds-on in his last race at Kelso. Type of race probably didn't suit him there and should continue to progress, but has stamina doubts at 4 1/2 miles. click here to read more
 | 11 | The Midnight Club |
weight: 10-13
age: 10
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: Ruby Walsh
Placed at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last season, he has always shaped like he wants to go further and showed why with a victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last month. His trainer used that race as a prep for 2005 National winner Hedgehunter. click here to read more
 | 12 | Niche Market |
weight: 10-13
age: 10
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Harry Skelton
Irish Grand National winner in 2009 but hasn't won since. Out of the money in his last five starts, including when pulled up in this race last year, after which he was moved to champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Plenty to prove. click here to read more
 | 13 | Silver By Nature |
weight: 10-12
age: 9
trainer: Lucinda Russell
jockey: Peter Buchanan
Bold grey who has won back-to-back runnings of Haydock's Grand National trial. Has ample stamina but ideally suited by soft ground, so if the rains come he would have a leading chance. click here to read more
 | 14 | Backstage |
weight: 10-12
age: 9
trainer: Gordon Elliott
jockey: Paul Carberry
Was in the process of running a good race when hampered and unseated jockey at the 20th fence last year. Will race off a similar mark and has been kept for another crack at the big one, warming up with successes in the point-to-point arena. click here to read more
 | 15 | Chief Dan George |
weight: 10-12
age: 11
trainer: James Moffatt
jockey: Paddy Aspell
Grade one-winning novice hurdler at Aintree who was a 33/1 winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year in a race that is usually one of the best pointers to the National. Below-par so far this season but usually comes into his own on better ground. click here to read more
 | 16 | Calgary Bay |
weight: 10-10
age: 8
trainer: Henrietta Knight
jockey: Hadden Frost
In the care of Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight, he has mixed it in good company for several years, although doesn't win very often. Class will get him a long way, but never gone anywhere near this far in his life. click here to read more
 | 17 | Killyglen |
weight: 10-10
age: 9
trainer: Stuart Crawford
jockey: Robbie Power
Won a sub-par grade two novice chase at the course in 2009 but not much gone right since then and sold to current yard last summer. Possibility he still has something to offer on good ground although it's last-chance saloon. click here to read more
 | 18 | Oscar Time |
weight: 10-9
age: 10
trainer: Martin Lynch
jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
Under the same ownership as Long Run and will bid to give jockey Sam Waley-Cohen a famous Gold Cup-Grand National double. Second in last year's Irish National, he has the right kind of profile for the race but there are stamina doubts. click here to read more
 | 19 | Quinz |
weight: 10-8
age: 7
trainer: Philip Hobbs
jockey: Richard Johnson
Few would have thought here was a National contender when 16th in an Aintree handicap hurdle 12 months ago, but made a bright start to his fencing career and won an always-competitive Racing Post Chase at Kempton last time. Is better than the mark he will race off but this is a tough ask for a young novice. click here to read more
 | 20 | Becauseicouldntsee |
weight: 10-8
age: 8
trainer: Noel Glynn
jockey: Davy Russell
Real old-fashioned chaser who jumps and gallops for fun. Second in last year's four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival despite losing a shoe, we haven't seen the best of him yet and the marathon trip should suit. click here to read more
 | 21 | Comply Or Die |
weight: 10-8
age: 12
trainer: David Pipe
jockey: Timmy Murphy
Been an absolute star for connections since making his debut in 2003. Landed a great gamble when winning this race in 2008, and equally heroic when second off top weight a year later. Age looked to be catching up with him when well beaten twelve months ago and best days behind him at 12. click here to read more
| 22 | Quolibet |
weight: 10-8
age: 7
trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
jockey: Mark Walsh
More than useful in France and can't have been cheap when bought this winter, but ran out of stamina on first British start in Cheltenham cross country chase and the seven-year-old grey looks up against it this year. click here to read more
 | 23 | Grand Slam Hero |
weight: 10-7
age: 10
trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
jockey: Aidan Coleman
Improved a fair bit in a 2010 summer campaign to plunder a decent prize at Market Rasen. Not unfair to say that is world away from this race, however, and well beaten on his only start since September. click here to read more
 | 24 | State of Play |
weight: 10-6
age: 11
trainer: Evan Williams
jockey: Paul Moloney
Winner of a Hennessy Gold Cup in 2006 and very much a National horse these days, finishing fourth and third in the last two renewals. Doesn't race very often and hasn't been seen for twelve months, but connections know what he likes and good chance he will run well again. click here to read more
| 25 | King Fontaine |
weight: 10-6
age: 8
trainer: Malcolm Jefferson
jockey: Denis O'Regan
Improved plenty this season to win four on the bounce. Unsuited by the soft ground when that run came to an end at Haydock and well-beaten fifth at Cheltenham last month, though the marathon trip should be in his favour. click here to read more
 | 26 | In Compliance |
weight: 10-5
age: 11
trainer: Dessie Hughes
jockey: Leighton Aspell
Once touted as a potential Gold Cup winner, he has had his problems with injury. Now 11, he had some experience of the big fences when sixth in last year's Topham and has showed since he still retains enough ability to make this mark look favourable, but another with big stamina doubts. click here to read more
 | 27 | Hello Bud |
weight: 10-5
age: 13
trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Grand old servant still full of enthusiasm despite being into his teenage years. Scottish National winner in 2009, he relished his first crack at the National last year, racing up with the pace and finishing fifth. Won the Becher Chase over the big fences in November and will be leading the charge once more. click here to read more
 | 28 | West End Rocker |
weight: 10-5
age: 9
trainer: Alan King
jockey: Robert Thornton
Stamina definitely his strong suit, proved by a grinding win in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January. Back to the well too soon next month and might be vulnerable to a few fresher rivals. click here to read more
 | 29 | Santas Son |
weight: 10-5
age: 11
trainer: Howard Johnson
jockey: Jamie Moore
Routed some decent rivals over two miles in December 2008 but form gone well down since. Wouldn't stay three miles, let alone four-and-a-half, and likely to bomb along for a circuit before crumbling. click here to read more
| 30 | Bluesea Cracker |
weight: 10-4
age: 9
trainer: James Motherway
jockey: Andrew McNamara
The only mare in this year's field, she was a surprise 25/1 winner of last year's Irish Grand National. Run with promise in a light campaign this season and bought recently by top owner JP McManus. click here to read more
 | 31 | Thats Rhythm |
weight: 10-4
age: 11
trainer: Martin Todhunter
jockey: James Reveley
Somewhat of a Bangor specialist over fences with all three of his wins coming on that course. Has hit the deck on two attempts at the Scottish National and would need a minor miracle to get involved here. click here to read more
 | 32 | Surface To Air |
weight: 10-4
age: 10
trainer: Chris Bealby
jockey: Tom Messenger
Made hay in the summer of 2008 when winning the Durham and Summer Nationals, but suffered tendon problems after the latter that kept him off the course until last month, when well beaten in a handicap hurdle. To win here would be an amazing story. click here to read more
 | 33 | Piraya |
weight: 10-4
age: 8
trainer: David Pipe
jockey: Johnny Farrelly
Not a bad horse over two miles but struggles with much further and pulled up on his last two starts. Beaten 166 lengths in this race last year and no reason why he should do much better this time around. click here to read more
| 34 | Cant Buy Time |
weight: 10-4
age: 9
trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
jockey: Richie McLernon
Always appeared as the type to go well in a big race but recent form figures are distinctly uninspiring. Hasn't got past the 18th fence in two National attempts. click here to read more
 | 35 | Character Building |
weight: 10-4
age: 11
trainer: John Quinn
jockey: Nina Carberry
Quirky grey who has won at the Cheltenham Festival and been placed in the Hennessy Gold Cup in his career. Never really in contention when seventh in last year's National and not cut much ice in his last three starts. click here to read more
 | 36 | Ornais |
weight: 10-4
age: 9
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Nick Scholfield
The outsider of champion trainer Paul Nicholls' quartet and easy to see why. Decent novice form in 2007/8 but injury kept him off the track until February when beaten in two hunter chases. Needs a jet-booster. click here to read more
| 37 | Arbor Supreme |
weight: 10-3
age: 9
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: David Casey
16/1 when unseating his rider at The Chair last year, he has gone somewhat under the radar since then. Trainer and owner supposedly have better chances, but he was only a length off The Midnight Club at Fairyhouse last time and is significantly better off at the weights. click here to read more
| 38 | Royal Rosa |
weight: 10-3
age: 12
trainer: Howard Johnson
jockey: Paul Gallagher
Never lived up to his £357,000 price tag and hasn't won a race since 2006. Does enjoy himself over the big fences and twice placed in the Becher Chase, but unseated when tailed off in last year's National. click here to read more
 | 39 | Skippers Brig |
weight: 10-2
age: 10
trainer: Nicky Richards
jockey: Dominic Elsworth
Good strike-rate, with nine wins from his 17 racecourse starts. Perhaps didn't get the credit he deserved when beating Ballabriggs and Chief Dan George at Kelso last month and interesting at the bottom of the weights, though might find the ground too quick. click here to read more
 | 40 | Golden Kite |
weight: 10-2
age: 9
trainer: Adrian Maguire
jockey: Shane Hassett
Never left Ireland in 24 races and will be wondering what he has gotten himself into. Winner of Midlands and Munster Nationals in 2010, his best form in on quicker ground so will be enjoying the sunshine, but might lack the class. click here to read more
Picking A Horse
Grand National betting on the favourite
The Grand National is the nation's biggest betting race, where everyone from big-time gambler to once-a-year guessers have an opinion. The horses at the head of the market are those fancied by the most people, so rather than doing your own research it often pays to follow the crowd. The bookmakers will take the most bets on the favourites, so although the odds are less the weight of money behind a strongly fancied horse will have the bookmakers running for cover.
| Grand National favourite | Oddschecker rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Midnight Club |  | ||
Favourites
Favourites or joint-favourites had a poor post-war record, with only three victories in the half-century from 1946-1995. Since then, however, they have won five of the last 15.
Old favourites
The Grand National is such a unique race that some horses save their best form for the big fences at Aintree. Every year we see some of our old favourites come back and run into the money. Below are horses who have run well in the race before.
| Old favourites | Oddschecker rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Play | | ||
| Hello Bud | | ||
| Comply Or Die | | ||
| Big Fella Thanks | | ||
Aintree veterans
Red Rum was the last multiple winner in the 1970s, but several have come close since. An each-way bet on a horse with proven course form is often a winning investment.
Grand National class acts
The Grand National is a handicap, which means horses run carrying weight relative to their official ratings. The horses rated highest will have to carry the most weight, which is intended to give each horse an equal chance of winning. The best horse on ratings will carry 11-10, with weights going all the way down to 10 stone if necessary.
| Grand National class acts | Oddschecker rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dont Push It | | ||
| Tidal Bay | | ||
| What A Friend | | ||
Class acts
Last year's winner Don't Push It carried 11-5 to victory, which was the joint-highest winning weight since Red Rum won his second National in 1974. In the last 20 renewals, only 3 horses have won carrying 11 stone or more.
Choosing a namesake
Every Grand National winner needs luck on their side, so often people will look to find a lucky omen in the name of the horse. Having a friend or family member with the same name can be all the incentive needed - or a fast-track to the blame game if it goes wrong. Below are the possible National runners with a name that might ring a bell.
| 2011 possible namesakes | Oddschecker rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Dan George | | ||
| Vic Venturi | | ||
| Oscar Time | | ||
| Royal Rosa | | ||
Name game
Naming top class racehorses has become more complex over the years given the international nature of the sport. Early winners included Jerry (1840) and Matthew (1847), and needless to say a few of their namesakes will have backed them. More recently Monty's Pass (2003) and Bobbyjo (1999) have flown the flag for name backers.
Grand National grey horses
Only two grey horses have ever won the Grand National but they remain a favourite to punters who support them year after year. Picking a grey horse for the race means you are more likely to be able to spot your selection, which can be tricky when there are 40 runners charging towards the first fence. Alternatively, the support grey horses receive around the country means you may be taking a shorter price than is merited.
| Grey Horses in 2011 | Oddschecker rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver By Nature | | ||
| Character Building | | ||
| Piraya | | ||
| Quolibet | | ||
Grey Winners
The only grey winners of the National so far have been The Lamb (1868 & 1871) and Nicolaus Silver (1961). Surely the next is long overdue.
Luck of the draw
Given there's luck involved in winnng the National you could always trust your betting selection entirely to fate... Stick a pin in the newspaper racecard on the day, enter a sweepstake (our Grand National Sweepstake kit has everything you need), or, use our Grand National Lucky Dip to choose your horse for you.
