Grand National Form 2012
Assessing the form of the Grand National runners can be great fun and a very interesting pastime. Due to nature of the race it is possible that anyone of the forty horses could win, but we take a look at those who head the betting and give you a run down on their form plus a brief profile.
We shall be following all of the main contenders right the way through the season as and when they appear on the track, with each run the Grand National 2011 Odds will be affected so it should be a lively market for punters to follow.
Grand National 2011 Form Guide
The Midnight Club
The Midnight Club is one to watch in the National this year for Willie Mullins having been aimed at the race all season and after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time out he looks a major contender. Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride him which tells us what he thinks of the horse and looks to be well handicapped under the circumstances with 10st 13lbs on his back. Has the class to run well and fits the profile, it is his first time in the National though so punters can never be sure he will like the fences.
The Midnight Club Aintree Grand National 2011 Odds
What A Friend
The Paul Nicholls horse has the best piece of form in the race coming off his 4th place in the Gold Cup recently behind Long Run, Denman and Kauto Star and looks to be the main contender from the Paul Nicholls yard. He wore first time blinkers at Cheltenham and that seemed to set a some time awkward horse straight. His excellent run at Cheltenham means he is over a stone well in at the weights, leaving connections with almost no choice but to run him at Aintree. Could be the class of the race but at eight the stats tell us he faces an uphill task to win this year.
Latest What A Friend Grand National Odds
Ballabriggs
Donald McCain is yet to win the Grand National as a trainer but in Ballabriggs he looks to have a real chance of emulating his father and claiming a win at Aintree. Ginger McCain of course trained four winners of the National and plenty of punters believe Ballabriggs can give another great day for the family. He won the Kim Muir Challenge at the Cheltenham Festival last season and has been aimed at Aintree ever since. Had a slight blip last time out when beaten at odds-on at Kelso but connections feel he will improve for the run and fits the National profile well if he takes to the fences.
Latest Ballabriggs Grand National 2011 Odds
Big Fella Thanks
He has finished the race for the past two years with a 6th place finish in 2009 and a 4th place finish in 2010 so has to be serious contender to improve on that 2011. He has moved yards to Ferdy Murphy this season and he ran well off of top weight last time out in the Greatwood Cup to complete his National prep. He looks to have a decent weight on his back and at nine he now looks the perfect age for a big run. It does have to be said that he faded after the final fence last year and that would be a slight worry, but he is another year older and could go very close.
Latest Big Fella Thanks 2011 Grand National Odds
Backstage
The Gordon Elliott horse was travelling well last year when hampered on the second circuit and it was an eye catching run despite the fact that he failed to complete the course. Has won two point-to-point races so far this season which of course is a class below this but he has been in great form on both occasions and connections are bullish. Elliott won the National in 2007 with Silver Birch by taking him down a similar point-to-point route and many believe that Backstage could follow him in this season.
Backstage Aintree Grand National Odds 2011
Silver By Nature
The Lucinda Russell horse will aiming to give Scotland their first Grand National winner for some time and he looks to be a dour stayer following his win in the Grand National Trial at Haydock back in February. That win was an eye catching one but it was on heavy ground and he would not want the ground too quick at Aintree, connections will be praying for a little bit of cut in the ground. Carrying less than 11st which is a major plus but his chances look to depend on the ground so would be punters should be looking up.
Latest Silver By Nature Grand National Odds
Oscar Time
An interesting contender from Ireland who has long been thought of as a potential Grand National winner, he will run in the same colours as Gold Cup winner Long Run with Sam Waley-Cohen aiming to continue a dream season. Ran solid last time out when third in the Bobbyjo Chase behind Arbor Supreme and The Midnight Club and looked a little one paced. Connections are bullish and believe he will be better over further so on that basis could be a major player.
