Ruby Walsh’s mount The Midnight Club is leading the betting for the 164th running of the historic Grand National.
It is set to be an exciting weekend at Aintree, where another chapter will be written in Grand National folklore.
The race is steeped in history and tradition and it remains the world’s premier race meeting.
Two-time winner Walsh is being tipped to capture his third victory in the big race, having ridden triumphantly on Papillon in 200 and Hedgehunter in 2005.
He has been given odds of 8/1 in the build up to the world famous steeple chase at Aintree Racecourse.
Challenging him will be Backstage, What A Friend who are both 11/1 and Big Fella thanks and Oscar Time, priced at 12/1, who are all vying for the tag of favourite.
Though, this has often been a curse, and the unpredictability of the Grand National has seen shock winners such as 100/1 long shot Mon Mome in 2009.
What A Friend is part-owned by Manchester Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and finished in fourth place at last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sir Alex would like nothing more than to score a victory in Liverpool, let alone in the Grand National.
Don’t Push It has been given 14/1 odds of repeating last year’s exploits, as have Niece Market and Ballabriggs.
Tony McCoy rode home his first Grand National victory in 15 attempts aboard the thoroughbred and believes that despite the extra weight he is carrying he is still a decent bet for this year.
He said: “He’s progressed all year and we’ve kept him to hurdles to keep him mentally fresh.
“He’s got 11st 10lb and no horse since Red Rum has won back-to-back Nationals with that kind of weight, but he’s got a lot going for him.”
Hello Bud and Character Building, who finished fifth and seventh respectively last year, are priced at 25/1 and former winner Comply Or Die comes in at 33/1.
Comply Or Die was also able to back up his 2008 win with a valiant second to Mon Mome in 2009 and could place this year.
The Grand National gets underway at 4:15pm on Saturday April 9 and will be watched by a worldwide television audience of 600 million people.
To book tickets, call the hotline on 0844 579 3001 or visit www.aintree.co.uk.
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