Grand National Runners 2021
The Grand National is the biggest betting race of the year and the one time that some people place a bet. There is a maximum field of 40 runners and the standard place terms are one quarter the win odds for four places. However, some bookmakers will offer extra places which means each way bets are settled to fifth or sixth place.
In normal circumstances any ante post stakes are lost if the backed horse is withdrawn before race day. Bookmakers introduce the non-runner/no bet concession a few weeks before the race. Ante post horses count as non-runners and stakes are returned if they are taken out of the National. Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) will apply on Grand National day.
Ante post betting on the Grand National was boosted when the weights were announced in the middle of February. There were some winners and losers but overall the weight allocations seems fair. The owners of Tiger Roll will probably not agree but surely they must give the horse a shot at sporting immortality.
The prize money and changing nature of the fences have made for less of a lottery. The National is akin to a lucrative long distance handicap chase and luck in running is not such a big factor. However, there will be some fallers, brought down runners and unseated riders so the intrinsic challenges have not been entirely lost.
Grand National 2021 Odds
Here are 10 leading contenders for the Grand National 2021 with the best odds bookmakers and weight assuming there are no adjustments before race day:
Cloth Cap 14/1 with William Hill (10st 5lb)
Cloth Cap won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November off a low weight. The race formerly known as the Hennessy is a good trial for the National. Cloth Cap is owned by Sir Trevor Hemmings who won the National with Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs 2011) and Many Clouds 205) and he has a leading contender in Cloth Cap for a fourth win.
Secret Reprieve 16/1 with bet365* (10st 1lb)
The age trends suggest Secret Reprieve cannot win the National because the last seven-year-old to prevail won the race in 1940. However, the nature of the win in the Welsh National means Secret Reprieve could be thrown in at the weights. The horse jumped well and stayed and these are key attributes for National contenders.
Kimberlite Candy 16/1 with bet365* (10st 10lb)
Two second placed efforts in the Becher Chase over the National fences get Kimberlite Candy in the mix for the Aintree marathon. Jumping is a major strength and despite the modified fences making life easier there are still 30 unique obstacles in the National. Kimberlite Candy was not stopping in the National trial so getting the trip is not an issue.
Tiger Roll 20/1 with bet365* (11st 9lb)
The will he/won’t he question has not been answered but there is a good chance Tiger Roll will not run in the National and could be retired. The owners are whinging about the weight but there horse won two Grand Nationals with something in hand. It is more Tiger Roll’s form than weight that could see an aborted attempt to be the first horse to win three Nationals in a row.
Any Second Now 20/1 with William Hill (10st 9lb)
Any Second Now was trained for last year’s National but the race did not take place. In terms of age and weight, the Irish-trained runner ticks two of the major boxes. Any Second Now has been average this season but the National is the objective for a horse with a decent profile for the demands of the race such as the distance and jumping tests.
Burrows Saint 20/1 with bet365* (10st 13lb)
The eight-year-old has been allocated a manageable mark and could have a few pounds in hand over many of the rest of the field. This entry from the Willie Mullins stable won the Irish Grand National in 2019 but still lacks experience for this type of race. However, the touch of class can keep Burrows Saint in the contest and making the frame is feasible.
Presenting Percy 25/1 with bet365* (11st 9lb)
On past form, Presenting Percy has a chance of his mark. He started as the favourite for the 2019 Cheltenham Gold but underperformed. The horse ran to his best rating two runs ago so there has been no major dip in form. The main doubt is the weight and soft ground would not help the cause of Presenting Percy but these issues are not unique.
Magic Of Light 25/1 with William Hill (10st 13lb)
Magic Of Light is closely matched with Tiger Roll on the basis of the 2019 Grand National. He finished second to the dual winner and gets more weigh this time. However, a mare has not won the National for 70 years but at 10, Magic Of Light is the right age. She is nicely in with Tiger Roll but other horses could be better handicapped.
Potters Corner 25/1 with Betfair (10st 6lb)
The 11-year-old won the virtual Grand National last year. That race should not translate into the real thing but clearly Potters Corner had a good profile. Three horses aged 11 won the race from 2012 to 2014. Potters Corner won the Welsh Grand National in 2019, over three miles and six and half furlongs on heavy ground so stamina is not a problem.
Santini 33/1 with bet365* (11st 10lb)
Santini finished second behind Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year and is a likely runner in the race in March. The joint top weight is built for the fences and will stay the distance. Much depends on the Gold Cup and Santini may not have a better chance if he wins that race and then has an attractive weight in the National.
Grand National 2021 Tip
The Tiger Roll story could be over after Cheltenham and even so the horse has been average this season and keeps getting beat by many lengths. Secret Reprieve is the wrong age and Cloth Cap may lack that bit of class.
The best chance for Any Second Now could have been last year and Burrows Saint has not run over the National fences. Santini is not a definite runner and the Gold cup is the main target.
So, KIMBERLITE CANDY (16/1 at bet365*) looks a potential winner having run over the fences and with the right age and weight profile.
PLEASE NOTE: The odds are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
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