SIX POSSIBLES FOR NATIONAL FAVOURITISM
WILLIAM HILL predict “five or six horses” will be vying for favouritism as the Randox Grand National approaches its start time at 4pm tomorrow.
Top weight Conflated was the only defector from the top 34 horses at yesterday’s final declaration stage, leaving Noble Yeats to concede weight all round in his bid to repeat his victory of 2022.
Last year’s winner Corach Rambler still heads the Leeds firm’s National betting at 6-1.
But Hill’s Lee Phelps believes a host of horses could yet usurp the defending champion at the head of the market.
“We could honestly see about five or six horses going off favourite at this stage given the wide spread of business,” said Phelps.
“Drying conditions will be music to the ears of Corach Rambler’s connections, and last year’s winner is still clinging to favouritism.
“But the weather forecast suggests the ground at Aintree might dry out a bit and, with that in mind, we’re expecting horses who appreciate a better surface to prove popular in the Grand National betting.
“Galvin is one that’s already been backed and is now 25-1 from 33-1.”
Conflated’s absence allowed Kitty’s Light to complete the 34-strong field, reduced from a limit 40 for 2024.
The National bottom weight landed a notable hat-trick in the Eider Chase at Newcastle, the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and Sandown Park’s bet365 Gold Cup in the second half of last season, and his trainer Christian Williams said: “He’s a good, strong stayer, he’s looking a picture and he seems to love the spring.
“He seems to produce it on the big day and it doesn’t get any bigger than Aintree.” Nine horses will be ridden by jockeys competing the National for the first time, including amateur David Maxwell (above), who purchased 50-1 shot Ain’t That A Shame, winner of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, specifically for tomorrow’s race.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old finished last of the 17 finishers 12 months ago but Maxwell said: “He’s a big price but in the form of his life — Henry said he’s in better form than last year.
“He got round last year. Hopefully. he’ll get round this year — that’s the first thing to think about — then after that it would be nice to think about a top-10 finish.”