Grand National Tips

5/1 ROYAL – THIRD TIME LUCKY?

As for Clan Royal, it could be a case of third time lucky in the National for the eleven-year-old, but he now looks very short in the betting considering his tendency to pull hard in his races. Besides, it’s debatable whether he would have beaten impressive winner Hedgehunter last year if he hadn’t been carried out by a loose horse, so there has to be better value further down the bet365 betting list. For previews and free tips of other races, check out our horse racing betting section.

BOTTOM WEIGHTS ARE BEST

At this stage, with a maximum field of 40, there are still doubts over whether several fancied horses will get a run. Still, we can back our selections with confidence here at bet365, as we’re non-runner no bet on the big race – why go anywhere else for your National bets! Although the race is attracting more quality horses these days, the race traditionally favours horses carrying less than 11 stone (bet365 go 3/1 that the winner carries 11st or above), and the two that stand out near the bottom of the weights are Direct Access (25/1) and Ross Comm (20/1). The former was last seen when winning the Rehearsal Chase back in December (jumped well), but has a great record fresh and a Grand National winning jockey to boot in Tony Dobbin. He looks sure to run well, while the Sue Smith-trained Ross Comm must also come into the reckoning after bouncing back to form last time out over a barely adequate 2m 4f at Bangor. The gelding was also travelling sweetly when falling at the 16th in the Hennessey in November, and will have the services of the talented Dominic Elsworth in the saddle, who rode a winner for the in-form stable at Kelso on Monday. Grand National Picks: Garvivonnian @ 16/1 Ross Comm @ 20/1 Direct Access @ 25/1

GINGER 20/1 FOR NATIONAL GRAND FINALE

As well as offering outstanding each way terms on the big race (1/4 odds, 1.2.3.4.5, worth repeating!), bet365 have also wasted no time in pricing up a whole gamut of ‘Race Specials’. They were originally 3/1 that there would be a fifth Irish-trained winner of the race in eight years, but that’s been now been cut to 2/1 (still a decent shout when you consider what they’ve got running!), but you can still have 20/1 about the soon-to-be-retiring Aintree legend Ginger McCain training a fifth National winner. His best shot looks to be the recently acquired Inca Trail who could surprise a few people by running well at the current bet365 price of 50/1. In the same market, the seven-strong Paul Nicholls is a 4/1 shot to train the winner, while you can have 6/1 that all the runners negotiate the first fence. If you didn’t win on this year’s Grand National, why not console yourself with a Cheltenham free bet.

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