Don’t Push It support could make him Grand National odds favourite

Not since Red Rum in 1974 has a horse carried more that 11st 5lbs to victory in the Grand National.

That very same year Red Rum became just the fourth horse to win consecutive Grand Nationals and Don’t Push It will have to defy both trends if he is to reward the punters faith in Saturday’s 2011 Grand National.

Having opened at 16/1 in the Grand National betting, Don’t Push It is into an industry best 12/1 with Ladbrokes – he’s 10/1 across the board elsewhere – and as such is the support for the 2010 Grand National winner, Don’t Push It could go off favourite.

Don’t Push It landed a huge gamble last year when opening on the day of the Grand National 20/1 before being backed into 10/1 joint-favourite, and having landed a massive gamble last year, punters believe he can do it again.

There are now four horses vying for favouritism for Saturday’s race and come the Grand National start time on Saturday, anyone from The Midnight Club (8/1), Backstage (12/1), What A Friend (12/1) and Don’t Push It could start the race as favourite.

With just 26 winning favourites in 163 Grand Nationals, favouritism could be another trend that Don’t Push It has to defy to win the 2011 Grand National, but having landed the gamble last year as favourite, he certainly has the pedigree.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill and jockey AP McCoy have been talking up the horse’s chances all week and the AP McCoy factor could have a huge bearing on the day of the race.

The Ruby Walsh factor is the reason behind The Midnight Club currently holding favouritism, but the Sir Alex Ferguson connection is proving popular for What A Friend.

It’s an intriguing battle at the top of the Grand National betting and one that will have a huge impact on the race itself.

A £20 stake on the What A Friend/Manchester United double would return £420. Take advantage of Ladbrokes Grand National odds.