Selecting the winning horse in the Grand National can be a daunting task. But fret not, for we have curated a list of pointers to make the decision-making process a tad easier!
Looking for the perfect way to pick a horse for the Grand National? Well, if we are honest, there isn’t one.
At least not a sure-fire way to pick a winner anyway. In fact, the Grand National is one of the most unpredictable horse races of modern times.
While the traditional method of studying the form can narrow the field for you, it is time-consuming. It can also take the fun out of betting for many of the novice punters who gamble on the National every year.
So we have laid out a selection of alternative, fun ways to pick your horse instead.
Alternative Ways To Pick A Horse
Namesake
If there is a horse listed that shares a name with a friend or family member or even someone from your favourite band, then that could be the one for you.
In 2016, ‘Rule The World’ won and Take That fans hit the jackpot after betting on the horse with the same name as one of the band’s biggest hits.
It’s amazing how often people win big with a slight connection to a horse! Does anyone remember the 2017 winner ‘One For Arthur’? Anyone with an Uncle Arthur was certainly celebrating that day!
Remember, it doesn’t really matter what odds the horse has been given, as there have been many winners that have won on long odds.
Grey Winners
A simple method to narrow the horse selection pool is to choose a ‘grey’. Every year, around two or three grey runners, brave the Aintree marathon challenge.
While greys aren’t known for winning the Grand National, the last grey to win was ‘Neptunes Collonges’ in 2012, and ‘King John’s Castle’ was runner-up in 2008.
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Sports Team
It could be that you have noticed a connection to your favourite sporting team or player. Maybe the connection is the strip colour or the home ground, it really doesn’t matter so long as you pick it.
In recent Grand National renewals, horses like ‘Cappa Bleu’ and ‘Definitly Red’ have been chosen for their football colour connections.
Hobbies
If you have a hobby, you can find a link there. In 2012, Anglers and fishermen took a punt on ‘Seabass’ and were rewarded with a third-place finish.
Nationality
This is well worth doing. Pick an Irish Jockey, Horse or Trainer and, if at all possible, all three!
The reason is that since 2014 each winner has either been owned, trained or ridden by someone Irish. The famous ‘Tiger Roll’, who won the 2018 and 2019 Grand National was trained, ridden and owned all by Irish connections.
Keep away from the French! There is a reason for this, as a French horse hasn’t won the Grand National for well over 100 years. That piece of advice only applies to French horses not trained in the UK, as in 2008 Venetia Williams’ horse ‘Mon Mome’ took the race.
Likewise, for ‘Pineau De Re’ in 2014. This French-bred winner was trained in the UK by Richard Newland and won on odds of 25/1.
Other Methods
If you can’t find a connection of any sort, you could always put all the names on separate pieces of paper and pick a random horse from a bag!
Once you have selected your horse, you should place your bet with a bookie with a Bonus Bet offer (there will be conditions). It won’t feel half so bad if you lose using someone else’s cash, and as they payout on the first 5 horses (instead of the traditional 4), you have a better chance of collecting some winnings.
Make sure you bet ‘Each Way’ as this ensures you pick up some cash even if your horse comes in as low as fourth or fifth, depending on the bookmaker.
Extra Eachway Places
Betting on the Grand National is a popular event for horse racing fans worldwide. It’s an exciting and thrilling race that offers some of the best odds in horse racing.
Traditionally, bookmakers would offer four places for each-way bets on the National, but many of the leading bookmakers now offer extra each-way places to give punters more chances to win.
Betfred, Betfred and Betfair are three of the most popular bookmakers that usually offer enhanced extra each-way places in the Grand National.
Betfred offers up to six places for each way bets on selected races, including the Grand National. This means that if your horse finishes in one of those six places, you will receive a payout.
Betfred also offers up to five places for each way bets on selected races, including the Grand National.
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Finally, Betfair has been known to offer up to seven places for each way bets on the Grand National.
These extra each-way places can be great for punters looking to increase their chances of winning big on race day.
However, it’s important to remember that these extra places are usually only available at certain times and with terms and conditions attached, so it’s important to check before placing your Grand National bet.
