Grand National Betting Strategy

Written by Roger Mayflower
Monday, 28 March 2011 17:26

With a field of 40 entries, wagering on the Grand National is often compared to betting on the lottery.

However; for those who take the time to acquaint themselves with the horses in the race and recent race trends will be rewarded with a much better chance of cashing a ticket on the big race day.

One of the most important trends in the last 25 years to be aware of is the risk of siding with favorites.  Over this time period very few favorites have won the race, so be very wary of any horses with odds of under 10-1.  On the flip side, horses with very long odds have performed just as poorly.  Horses that have won in recent years have gone off at odds between 10-1 and 30-1, so use this simple yet effective strategy to narrow down the field before wagering on the 2011 Grand National.

You also want to make sure to get your hands on the Racing Post for the Grand National as soon as it becomes available and research the weights assigned to each of the horses.  The better the recent form shown by an entrant, the more weight will be assigned to them.  Very few horses are capable of contending in this difficult race when carrying over 11 stone.  Keep a close eye on any horse that has been performing poorly due to bad racing luck or the effect of an injury, if they can find their form on Grand National day they could be aided by low weights.

Another proven strategy in finding a winner for the Grand National is to study the trainer – jockey teams.  Some trainers and jockeys have the big race experience it takes to win a race like this.  It is almost unheard of in the three century history of this race for a new jockey or trainer to come in and take the title on the first or second try.  Go over a list of winners for the past 10 years and see which trainers and jockeys have a history of doing well here.

Another good tip on Grand National wagering is to avoid ante-post betting.  Grand National fields are limited to around 40 entries, and making a bet long before race day can be a losing proposition as the horse may not even make it into the actual race.  Wait until at least a week before the race to lay down a bet, no matter how tempting the odds.  By then, the betting markets will have a much more realistic view of the horses most likely to make the cut.

Using all of these tried and true methods will greatly increase your odds of picking a winner in the 2011 Grand National.