Grand National Contenders and Pretenders

Written by Roger Mayflower
Monday, 28 March 2011 17:44

If you're looking for logical contenders on one of the biggest racing days of the year, which is also one of the very best days to get value for your wager due to the large pool sizes; look for horses in good form who may be sitting on a big effort for the 2011 Grand National.

One of the logical contenders for the 2011 Grand National is Niche Market.  The 10 year-old trained by Graham Regan was last seen on the track in March, finishing 8th at Newbury in a race over 2 ¼ miles.  Oddsmakers currently have Niche Market at 14-1 odds for the 2011 Grand National, and there is some compelling evidence to make a case for his chances.  Niche Market was beaten by only 12 lengths in a race that was very likely too short for his liking at Newbury, and his jockey Ruby Walsh was very impressed with his jumping form that day.  On the flip side, it must be noted that Niche Market was pulled up with an injury in last year's Grand National, but his recent form coupled with the fact that he won't be top weight carrier may inspire more than a few horse players to take a chance with him.  It should also be noted that his jockey in his last race, Ruby Walsh, has opted out of this mount to ride ante-post favorite The Midnight Club in the big race, giving his backers even more room for doubt.

The connections of Tidal Bay are making plans to be at Aintree for the Grand Nationals.  Last seen March 18th finishing 6th in the Totesport Gold Cup, he has been given the go-ahead by his trainer Howard Johnson.  This will be Tidal Bay's 6th try at the Grand National where he finished 2nd in 2006, and his connections were more than pleased with the way he came out of his last race.  Tidal Bay seems to prefer a drier surface, so if rains soak the Aintree Race Course before the Grand National this year, you may want to reconsider his chances.  If the track stays dry the week before the big race, he may be an enticing entry.

Big Fella Thanks, a 9 year-old leading contender for this year's Grand National who was recently sold to new owners, will still run under the watchful eye of trainer Ferdy Murphy.  Oddsmakers currently have Big Fella Thanks as short as 12-1 odds, mindful of the the fact that he finished a good fourth in last year's Grand National when trained by veteran Paul Nicholls.

The Grand National may also be one of the few races where trainers will try to conceal their hands prior to the race.   It is not unusual for them to instruct jockeys to hold back on their mounts during preps for the National, in an attempt to keep their horses fresh and to avoid having top weights assigned to their horses by the race's handicappers.

Keep all angles in mind when making a play on the 2011 Grand National.