Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011

Horse Racing Betting

Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011 is proving to be a fascinating affair, with things looking tight at the top of the list of betting odds. There is a good crop of chasers going at the Aintree marathon this time around, but truthfully there does not look to be a genuine star, a sure fire solid favourite that can be backed with full confidence. Taking the mantle of 2011 Grand National favourite at the moment is The Midnight Club, who is looking in good shape, and it was not until Ruby Walsh decided to take the ride, that betting on the charge got really heavy. While the influence of two times Grand National winner Ruby Walsh will be an effect, it raises questions over the natural ability of The Midnight Club to show the strength and stamina of staying power needed to hit the front and hold it in the National. Still, the Willie Mullins trained horse is favourite in the field of forty, and it is a horse which will draw a lot of casual bettors, who just like an annual flutter on the fascinating spectacle that is the John Smiths Grand National. The Midnight Club, coming in as favourite for 8/1 at Bet365 at the moment, has not had things going all his won way in the 2011 Grand National Ante Post betting. This is because he was trading at around the same price as Backstage, until the Ruby Walsh announcement.

Truthfully Backstage could be the better bet of the two, and with the extra attention taken by Walsh on The Midnight Club, it has done backers of Backstage a favour, as he has drifted out a little from tens to 12/1 at SkyBet. However, Grand National winning trainer Gordon Elliott has been meticulous in his preparations with Backstage, and there is a similarity between this year’s entrant, and Silver Birch, who Elliott trained to victory in the 2007 renewal. Backstage was once under the charge of Paul Nicholls, but the esteemed trainer could not get the desired results from Backstage, so Elliott picked him up, and there has been a visible improvement in him. Backstage was tracking last year’s Grand National winner Don’t Push It very well until the 20th obstacle when he unseated the rider. However, there should be no worries over the staying power of Backstage in the race, although he will prefer the ground to not be too soft. There is a lot of ifs, buts and maybes about him, but Backstage looks to be a strong runner in good form after winning his last two races. With his Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011 price still in double figures at the moment, and this could well change come race day, he is well worth taking in your Grand National Betting.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s horse What A Friend won’t go away from Grand National betting tips this year, and his Ante Post price of 12/1 at Paddy Power looks to be just a little bit flattering. He could really be out at around 16/1 to be truthful given his realistic change. Has showed well over the last year, but there is an element of inexperience about him and that should put him back. No reason why he can’t push for a place finish, but a win looks to be just beyond him, and he is not trading at good value at the moment in Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011 odds. Who is good value though is Niche Market, who looks to be in with a genuine chance of ending Paul Nicholls wait to land a Grand National winner. Niche Market in Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011 odds is out at 18/1 with Victor Chandler, largely based on the fact that he was pulled up in last year’s race. Don’t let that deter you, because the 2009 Irish National winner looks in good shape, and has been better prepared by Nicholls, specifically for this race. There should not be any signs of the tiredness that hindered his run last year, and after a breathing operation, should be in much better standing, and makes for one of top tips at this year’s Grand National.

Last year’s winner Don’t Push It, ridden again by A.P. McCoy, who ran home for his first Grand National win at Aintree last year, is carrying top weights, and that is affecting his chances in Ante Post Betting Grand National 2011 odds. Battling to hold on around 16/1 with BetFair, a place finish would be a great rewards, but you basically don’t back the previous year’s National winner, as no horse has backed up a win in the following year since Red Rum in ‘74.