Grand National: 3 against the field after 5-day declarations
Published:
With only five days left until the big day at Aintree, Ladbrokes have gone Non Runner No Bet for that nadir of the National Hunt campaign, the Grand National.
We’ve shone our spotlight on Aintree fancies such as 7/1 favourite Shutthefrontdoor and Jim Culloty’s 20/1 shot Spring Heeled, but there are a few further back in the betting, and lower down the weights, who are of interest each way now stakes are returned for challengers who don’t make the cut.
Charlie Longsdon’s 10-year-old is right down the bottom of the weights currently at 10-2, alongside David Pipe’s Soll and three other contenders, after taking 11 months off through injury between February 2014 and last time out at Wetherby in January, when he ran okay but was pulled up late on.
Ely Brown has some pretty hot form in the book from a couple of seasons back, having beaten useful types Holywell, Hada Men, Sunnyhillboy and The Package in a Warwick Pertemps qualifier in January 2013, and bagged two wins on the spin prior to his injury at Ascot last term.
Four of the past six winners of this race have gone off 25/1 or over, with two of those at least 66s, so don’t let the price put you off, If he’s back to his best, Ely Brown is well weighted to have an impact.
This is where the beauty of Non Runner No Bet lies, as Tony Martin’s inmate is still in the betting despite the trainer’s insistence that Guess Again’s target may not be Aintree.
If he does go, and it’s a big if being so far down in the weights at 10-0, he’ll be dangerous, having run well prior to falling in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, over 3m2f, after three victories from six starts earlier in the campaign (two in three going into the Festival).
If he doesn’t, you’ll get your money back.
Sandra Hughes’ gelding is also worth a mention down the weights at 10-1, particularly after the trainer’s undoubted talent The Tullow Tank stormed to second behind Gilgamboa in yesterday’s Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at the same track.
Raz De Maree got round fine last year at Aintree, finishing eighth, and he looks set to sneak in a couple of pounds lower this year despite a decent campaign, which includes runner-up honours last time out in a big field at Uttoxeter.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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