Aintree Grand National Best Bets: Saturday, April 15th

The Aintree Grand National is the biggest jumps race in the calendar, attracting worldwide interest and a colossal audience for this one-off event that dates back to 1829. There are 16 unique fences on the Grand National course, 14 of which are jumped twice along the four mile, two and half furlong distance (which is the longest racing distance in the UK).

These days the fences are far less demanding, with fallers, unseats and casualties far far lower as a result. As a consequence, huge shocks are much rarer, and the winner can usually be found in the form-book, with previous Aintree experience always counting for plenty.

Here at bettingexpert we have compiled a shortlist of three horses, all to be backed each-way, that will hopefully make the 2023 Grand National a profitable one for our followers.

Aintree Grand National Best Bets

5.15pm Saturday 15th April

1 – Any Second Now

Odds: 15.0 (Skybet)

Ted Walsh’s 11-y-o has topweight to lump as he makes a third bid for Grand National glory, but he clearly relishes the unique test provided by these fences in a strongly run race, and comes into the 2023 renewal at the very top of his game after winning a Navan Grade 2 in March.

He finished third behind Minella Times in 2021 (traveling like the winner until the long run-in), and caught the proverbial tartar in the well handicapped Noble Yeats in 2022.

Another big run seems on the cards, and he makes maximum each-way appeal at around the 14/1 mark at the moment.

2 – The Big Dog

Odds: 26.0 (bet365)

Peter Fahey’s stable star has a brilliant record in these kinds of stamina sapping marathon chases, winning 3 of his 12 starts over fences and running a career best in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas.

He has since fallen two out behind the subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin des Champs at Leopardstown (still traveling strongly at the time), and has been targeted at this prestigious prize by his astute connections.
While the 10-y-o lacks previous Aintree experience, there are no doubts about his stamina for the 4m2f trip and his sound jumping/strong traveling run style should mean he can soon take up a prominent early pitch out of any trouble in behind under regular rider Keith Donoghue.

3- Aint that a Shame

Odds: 23.0 (William Hill)

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore enjoyed a terrific Cheltenham festival, and they teamed up again at Aintree with this tough and reliable 9-y-o.

He is very low mileage for his age, winning at the seventh attempt over fences in March (2m4f at Gowran Park, hard on the bridle at 8/13f), but is completely unexposed at this kind of trip and might just have a bit of scope to improve past some more established sluggards at the head of the market.

At the current price of 33/1 he looks much the best of those towards the foot of the weights, and the expected soft ground conditions will certainly suit ideally.

All odds listed as at 1pm April 12th 2023. Odds may now differ.