Grand National Betting 2019
The Grand National has been called the British version of the Melbourne Cup. In the early hours of Sunday morning Australian time, the 172nd Grand National will take place at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse.
The Randox Health Grand National Steeplechase (or simply Grand National) has become popular with Australian punters in recent years. Some punters have been attracted to the different format of British races, which consist of long distances and fences. Others enjoy the fact that underdogs regularly win this race.
The 2019 Grand National will take place over 4 miles 3 ½ furlongs (6.907 km) at 2:15 a.m. AEST on Sunday, April 7. The handicap steeplechase will feature 40 horses competing over 30 fences.
In this guide, we run the ruler over the Grand National favourites and dark horses, using odds from top Australian online bookie bet365.
Tiger Roll the Clear Grand National Favourite
.@katiewalsh9 , who attained the best-ever finishing position by a female rider in the @RandoxHealth Grand National when third on Seabass in 2012, dropped in on @gelliott_racing yard in Country Meath and caught up with 2018 Randox Health Grand National hero Tiger Roll. pic.twitter.com/aYCQNM2JG2
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) March 31, 2019
Tiger Roll won the 2018 Grand National and comes in once again as a clear 4.50 race favourite. This horse won with 10st 13lbs last year, but will be carrying an extra 9lbs into this year’s race. Some punters may stay away from Tiger Roll given the extra weight, although the Irish horse didn’t seem bothered by his handicap in winning the Cheltenham Festival Cross Country race a couple of weeks ago. Trainer Gordon Elliott is looking for his third win at the Grand National and clearly Tiger Roll is the horse to beat.
Next in betting are Rathvinden and Anibale Fly, both paying 11.00 at bet365. Rathvinden, like most horses in this race, hails from Ireland. He won the 4mi race at the Cheltenham Festival, showing his ability as a long-distance stayer. He’s looking to become the fourth 11-year old to win this race since 2012. Anibale Fly is a French horse that finished fourth in last year’s Grand National. He’s carrying an extra 2lbs compared to last year, but of bigger concern is how he makes up the 11 ½ length gap by which he lost to Tiger Roll last year.
Best Grand National Underdogs
“It’s *the* world’s greatest steeplechase”
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 1, 2019
On the global stage, the pursuit of @RandoxHealth Grand National glory is like nothing else... pic.twitter.com/MDU3QK9DLb
A favourite hasn’t won the Grand National since Don’t Push It in 2010, and five of the last seven winners have paid out between 25.00 and 66.00. Can a horse win it from long odds this year? Some of the underdogs being talked about in the lead up to this year’s big race are Rock the Kasbah, 21.00, One For Arthur, 26.00, and Sandymount Duke, 81.00.
One for Arthur won the 2017 Grand National at 14/1 odds and didn’t get the chance to defend his crown in 2018. He’ll be aiming to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to win back a Grand National title after previously losing it. One for Arthur will be carrying 3lbs more in this year’s race, but punters may be bullish on his chances given that he knows how to win here.
Tiger Roll to win the 2019 Grand National @4.50 with Bet365
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