Guide to Finding the Grand National Winner

Without wishing to advise punters to stick a pin in the race card and hope for the best, selecting the Grand National winner is not the easiest of tasks for anyone let alone the once a year punter Sure people win and often can win tidy sums, but there are forty horses in the race of varying abilities and they have to run 4? miles and jump 30 daunting fences

Without wishing to advise punters to stick a pin in the race card and hope for the best, selecting the Grand National winner is not the easiest of tasks for anyone let alone the once a year punter. Sure people win and often can win tidy sums, but there are forty horses in the race of varying abilities and they have to run 4? miles and jump 30 daunting fences. It is a perilous journey and if the ground is little sticky then more often than not there will be fewer finishers than fallers, brought downs and Pulled ups.

As perilous as it is, the Grand National is undoubtedly one of the sporting spectaculars of the calendar year so it is therefore better to maybe select a horse that may give the punter a run for their money allowing them to enjoy the race for longer, rather than a giving them a potential winner, who could all so easily fall at the first fence.

Even selecting a run for your money can backfire, but by and large, horses with previous Aintree experience often acquit themselves well and more often than not finish the race in a place. The downside is that they do not often win.

An each way bet therefore on a proven Aintree horse is the best advice possible, particularly if that horse fits the following criteria:

- They are aged between; 8-10.
- They have been aimed at the Grand National all season
- They have winning Chase Form
- Proven over at least 3 miles.
- Have solid jumping record.
- Weigh less than 11st 3lbs.

The above trends have been common factors in most of the last ten races, but also significantly is that five from the last six runners have also had a run over hurdles during the season. Trainers often include a Hurdles race in order to keep the horses handicap mark down for the race.

Another vital factor is the class of the horse. For the last 20 Grand Nationals no horse rated between; 136-157 has won the race. This is a compelling fact and punters are strongly advised to check the race cards before making a bet and look for a horse between these two marks.

The information is quite easily found by merely looking at the form guides of the horse, often available in the race cards itself, if not there are innumerable online facilities that can provide this.

A small each way bet on a couple of horses is probably enough for the once a year punter, but if thought about, the two selections may just provide a lot of excitement and possibly a nice return on the stake.

The Grand National is not a race to be wagering huge amounts of money on. It is intended as a sporting spectacle that can be enjoyed more with a small bet and anyone planning to bet on the race should not bet more than they can afford to lose.

John Fletcher writes for various online websites, specialising in horse racing and sports betting. You Can read John''s previews on this years Grand National Tips at his website.