Grand National Betting
The 2014 Grand National will be run at Aintree on Saturday 5 April. Get Grand National odds here alongside a horse-by-horse Grand National preview with stats, trends, form and expert Grand National tips on the race. Win big on the Grand National with Oddschecker.
1. Choose Your Horse
On this page you will find a complete list of horses entered for the race, with comments on their chances, plus a list of popular methods used to try and find the winner.
2. Get The Best Odds
We display odds from all the best and most reliable bookmakers. The dropdown alongside the horses' name defaults to which bookie is offering the biggest odds.
3. Place Your Bet
The black "Go" button takes you straight to the bookmaker's site. If you don't have an account or want to make the most of an offer, click the orange "Sign Up Offers" box.
Runners And Riders
1
Imperial Commander
weight: 11-12
age: 12
trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
2010 Gold Cup winner who showed plenty on his return from two years off injured when second at Cheltenham in January. Lung
infection kept him away from the Festival but he's been well-backed for this recently and is the clear class act. click here to read more
2
What A Friend
weight: 11-9
age: 10
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Sam Thomas
Has history winning at Liverpool, much like owner Sir Alex Ferguson, but more than a few dance-offs have taken their toll
on the old rogue. Ran well for a while in the 2011 National but understandably prefers an early night these days. click here to read more
3
Weird Al
weight: 11-8
age: 10
trainer: Donald McCain
jockey: Timmy Murphy
Ten-year-old has broken more blood vessels than Mick Foley, but can usually be relied on to show up well first time out. He
doesn't come here fresh however, and a fall four from home when out of contention last year is no tempter. click here to read more
4
Quel Esprit
weight: 11-7
age: 9
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: Paul Townend
Talented grey who seems to have put old jumping problems behind him, though has been restricted to just one start this season.
Irish champion trainer worthy of ample respect but unsure whether the National test will suit this character. click here to read more
5
Big Fella Thanks
weight: 11-6
age: 11
trainer: Tom George
jockey: Denis O'Regan
The Aintree veteran is still only 11, and has an impressive 7th, 4th and 6th to his name in the great race. New trainer has
had him in good form over the winter but the legs are still likely to go to jelly after the final fence. click here to read more
6
Seabass
weight: 11-6
age: 10
trainer: Ted Walsh
jockey: Katie Walsh
Was only five lengths off making it seven wins in a row and a first female riding triumph in last year's race. Improvement
on this will be tough carrying more weight, but maybe Katie Walsh will preserve a bit more stamina for the finish. click here to read more
7
Roberto Goldback
weight: 11-6
age: 11
trainer: Nicky Henderson
jockey: Barry Geraghty
Ex-Irish slugger who has brought his solid jab across the Irish Sea to fair effect this winter. Usually runs well without
winning often, so at the high end of the weights, but will have no problem coping with the Aintree rough-and-tumble. click here to read more
8
Sunnyhillboy
weight: 11-4
age: 10
trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
jockey: Richie McLernon
Caught on the line by Neptune Collonges 12 months ago in the closest ever National finish. His rating and weight are significantly
higher this year but he rises to every challenge and his expert trainer will have him spot on. click here to read more
9
BallaBriggs
weight: 11-4
age: 12
trainer: Donald McCain
jockey: Jason Maguire
Gave the McCain family a fifth National in 2011, and very respectable sixth last year carrying added weight. Won't have that
burden this time, and though getting on a bit at 12 would be no surprise to see him in the money again. click here to read more
10
Teaforthree
weight: 11-3
age: 9
trainer: Rebecca Curtis
jockey: Nick Scholfield
Long viewed as a National prospect, this has been the plan since winning the four-miler at last year's Cheltenham Festival.
Excellent Welsh National second stands him in good stead for first attempt at the big fences. Jumps well and stays. click here to read more
11
Across The Bay
weight: 11-2
age: 9
trainer: Donald McCain
jockey: Henry Brooke
Versatile performer who's enjoying a career-best season, with three wins from five. Runs well at Aintree, including a third
to Big Buck's over hurdles last year, and though he's crept up the weights should be in the firing line for a long way. click here to read more
12
Join Together
weight: 11-2
age: 8
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Daryl Jacob
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls broke his National jinx by a nose last year, and despite Join Together's misadventurous prep
race three weeks ago his staying-on Becher Chase second should give team Nicholls plenty of optimism. click here to read more
13
Colbert Station
weight: 11-1
age: 9
trainer: Ted Walsh
jockey: Tony McCoy
Made big strides this season and landed a gamble at Leopardstown over Christmas convincingly. Doubts over experience and stamina
but trainer has confounded those in the past. Must be in good shape as McCoy rides him over Sunnyhillboy. click here to read more
14
Forpadydeplasterer
weight: 11-0
age: 11
trainer: Tom Cooper
jockey: Andrew McNamara
Notched up an impressive seven consecutive seconds after 2009 Arkle win at Cheltenham, and only won once in 21 since. He's
a lovable loser however, who likes running but doesn't quite have the legs anymore. A solid spin beckons. click here to read more
15
On His Own
weight: 11-0
age: 9
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: Ruby Walsh
Inexperience may have cost him 12 months ago when he fell going notably well on the second circuit. Saved for another shot
racing off the same rating, a Grade 2 hurdle win at Navan in February suggested he's still improving. click here to read more
16
Joncol
weight: 10-13
age: 10
trainer: Paul Nolan
jockey: Robbie Power
Dual Grade 1 winner in 2009/10 but niggling problems prevented him from progressing, and five starts this season have been
below-par. Swampy conditions always suited the old tugboat and will be needed for any leading role. click here to read more
17
Balthazar King
weight: 10-12
age: 9
trainer: Philip Hobbs
jockey: Richard Johnson
Cross country victory at last year's Festival shows how streetwise he is, and no one-trick pony as win back at Cheltenham
in November shows. With little rain forecast all is set for a bold first attempt at the National. click here to read more
18
Cappa Bleu
weight: 10-11
age: 11
trainer: Evan Williams
jockey: Paul Moloney
Passed four horses on the run-in last year to finish fourth, and there's definite encouragement he can improve on a 2lbs lower
rating. Still lightly-raced at 11, he ran a fine prep when second at Ascot in February. click here to read more
19
Oscar Time
weight: 10-11
age: 12
trainer: Martin Lynch
jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
Runner-up to Ballabriggs two years ago when almost adding a Grand National to the Gold Cup on Sam Waley-Cohen's mantelpiece.
Tough going since and despite drop off in form at age 12 has to race off the same rating as 2011. click here to read more
20
Always Waining
weight: 10-10
age: 12
trainer: Peter Bowen
jockey: Tom O'Brien
Has won the last three runnings of the Topham Chase over the big fences, and likely to be given his first crack at the National.
Trip of near two miles more than used to may find him out but few will give as thrilling a ride around. click here to read more
21
Tatenen
weight: 10-10
age: 9
trainer: Richard Rowe
jockey: Andrew Thornton
Six career wins has not done justice to a horse of his talent, but on a going day can bowl along like a panther. Saves his
best for Ascot but he's a character who should like this unique test, despite unshipping at the eighth last year. click here to read more
22
Treacle
weight: 10-9
age: 12
trainer: Tom Taaffe
jockey: Noel Fehily
Eight-year dream was realised when he lined up in last year's race, but didn't go to plan as he fell at the tenth fence. In
similar form this time round despite grand old age of 12 and will have his supporters off a 2lbs lower rating. click here to read more
23
Lost Glory
weight: 10-8
age: 8
trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
jockey: Mark Walsh
Bidding to become the third New Zealand-bred to win the National in last 28 years, he made rapid progress up the ladder last
summer, winning four from five, and while this another game altogether should acquit himself well. click here to read more
24
Swing Bill
weight: 10-8
age: 12
trainer: David Pipe
jockey: Conor O'Farrell
If this was a beauty contest he'd be odds-on, as his white coat and flowing locks are majestic. Unfortunately for him, talent
doesn't live up to looks and improving on last year's 10th at 100/1 the best this ageing dreamboat can hope for. click here to read more
25
Saint Are
weight: 10-8
age: 7
trainer: Tim Vaughan
jockey: Dougie Costello
Only two wins in 17 since moving to UK, but both were at Aintree and in good races. Love for the course is a big plus but
the worry is his age as the youngest in the field; all trends point to maturity as a key criteria in a prospective National
winner. click here to read more
26
Chicago Grey
weight: 10-7
age: 10
trainer: Gordon Elliott
jockey: Paul Carberry
Brought down at the fifth last year, his rating is 9lbs lower this time around. A wind operation has him back in form, however,
and this former Cheltenham Festival winner looks very well-treated for Silver Birch's trainer. click here to read more
27
Quiscover Fontaine
weight: 10-7
age: 9
trainer: Willie Mullins
jockey: David Casey
Elusive character who runs mainly at two miles but best performance arguably fourth in the 2011 Irish National. This suggests
he's unexposed over this trip but still little for encouragement including a fall at the 17th last year. click here to read more
28
Rare Bob
weight: 10-6
age: 11
trainer: Dessie Hughes
jockey: Bryan Cooper
Grade 1 winner at Punchestown in 2009 but only one win in 22 since. Quietly fancied last year, but couldn't answer long-standing
stamina questions when brought down at the fifth. Geared here again, he's held his form well recently. click here to read more
29
The Rainbow Hunter
weight: 10-6
age: 9
trainer: Kim Bailey
jockey: Aidan Coleman
Steadily progressing through the ranks for trainer of 1990 winner Mr Frisk, and career-best efforts this season could be superceded
on better ground. Jumping is often less than fluid however so we'd liked to have seen him over the big fences before. click here to read more
30
Becauseicouldntsee
weight: 10-6
age: 10
trainer: Noel Glynn
jockey: Martin Ferris
Quietly fancied for this race the last two years, he hasn't got as far as the ninth fence. The troubling thing for backers
is that he looks an ideal type to get in the mix. Now he's such a big price it's worth a fiver he can get around. click here to read more
31
Harry The Viking
weight: 10-6
age: 8
trainer: Paul Nicholls
jockey: Ryan Mahon
Made good progress last year up to second to Teaforthree in Cheltenham four-miler, but hasn't gone the right way since. With
only 10 races under his belt, the question marks on both form and experience are hard to ignore. click here to read more
32
Mr Moonshine
weight: 10-5
age: 9
trainer: Sue Smith
jockey: Peter Buchanan
Some good early novice form but found out on his step up to graded company and hasn't troubled the judge for a while. Inconsistent
profile suggests he prefers dominating small fields, in which case he'll be wailing for the hooch here. click here to read more
33
Mumbles Head
weight: 10-4
age: 12
trainer: Peter Bowen
jockey: Jamie Moore
Much like the Swansea headland he's named after is significantly better when the sun's out, and treble last summer showed
he still offers plenty. Only got as far as the first on debut spin over the big fences in December. click here to read more
34
Ninetieth Minute
weight: 10-3
age: 10
trainer: Tom Taaffe
jockey: Niall Madden
Fourth horse in this race to have won at Cheltenham 2009, that Coral Cup victory is destined to be his career highlight. Not
as good over fences as hurdles, with only one win since, and more of a 90th-minute substitution than winner. click here to read more
35
Auroras Encore
weight: 10-3
age: 11
trainer: Sue Smith
jockey: Ryan Mania
Caught in the final strides of last year's Scottish Grand National, so has the stamina. Done nothing of note in seven starts
since so will be a big outsider but already has one 50/1 success at Aintree on his CV, five years ago. click here to read more
36
Tarquinius
weight: 10-2
age: 10
trainer: Gordon Elliott
jockey: Wilson Renwick
On the go since July but it's not doing him any harm, as his rating has risen nearly three stone. Just touched off in a good
trial at Gowran, but problem for him comes with the lack of rain, as deep ground suits him extremely well. click here to read more
37
Any Currency
weight: 10-0
age: 10
trainer: Martin Keighley
jockey: Ian Popham
Suggested he may win a big one at various points in his career but it's never materialised, despite various headgear experiments.
Ran ok before unshipping late on his first try at National fences and there will be worse value 100/1 shots. click here to read more
38
Major Malarkey
weight: 10-0
age: 10
trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
jockey: Tom Scudamore
No distance is too far for him but unfortunately they don't run eight-mile chases. Providing he's got over a terrible prep
race, he'll be doing his best work at the finish, though the winner will already be on the champagne by then. click here to read more
39
Soll
weight: 10-0
age: 8
trainer: Jo Hughes
jockey: Mark Grant
Only run seven times over rules, but showed he's an excellent jumper with a relentless display on very soft ground at Sandown
last month. Likely more to come and he's one to watch out for the future but big ask to go close right now. click here to read more
40
Viking Blond
weight: 10-0
age: 8
trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
jockey: Adam Wedge
Punchy front-runner on his day, but enjoys duelling at the head of affairs too much to conserve sufficient stamina for the
finish. As such, no-one will have been more frustrated than him when falling at the first fence last year. 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 get involved. 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. Bookies 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. Also remember to watch out for the famous pre-race gambles; 2010 winner Don't Push It was 25/1 in the morning and gambled down to 10/1 joint-favourite before the off.
| Grand National favourite | Oddschecker rating | ||
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Jollys
Favourites or joint-favourites had a poor post-war record, with only three victories from 1946-1995. Since then, however, they have won five of the last 17, and three of the last eight.
Grand National 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 National favourites | Oddschecker rating | ||
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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 top form horses
The Grand National is a handicap, which means horses run carrying weight approximate to their official ratings. The highest rated horses have to carry the most weight, which is intended to give each runner an equal chance of winning. The best horse on ratings will carry 11-10, with weights down to a minimum of 10 stone if necessary.
| Grand National class acts | Oddschecker rating | ||
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Class acts
Horses carrying a lot of weight have historically struggled to win, as they are vulnerable to lower-rated improvers. A burden of over 11 stone was usually a big barrier to success, but the last four winners all carried over 11-0, suggesting the tide is turning as the race evolves.
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. Knowing someone 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 runners with a name that might ring a bell.
| Grand National namesakes | Oddschecker rating | ||
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Name game
Naming top class racehorses has become more complex over the years given the international nature of the sport. Early winners included the humble Jerry (1840) and Matthew (1847), and more recently Monty's Pass (2003) and Bobbyjo (1999) have flown the flag for name backers.
Grand National grey horses
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.
| Greys in the Grand National | Oddschecker rating | ||
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Light brigade
Neptune Collonges's nose victory last year gained him entry into an exclusive club, as only two other grey horses have won the National; The Lamb (1868 & 1871) and Nicolaus Silver (1961). Lightning could strike twice however, as several of this year's contenders are of a snowy complexion.
Trust in Lady Luck
Plenty of luck is needed to pick the winner of the National so 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.
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