Our expert looks through the betting ahead of this afternoon’s 2018 Grand National and highlights a 40/1 shot for punters to look out for in Aintree’s seasonal showpiece.
Four-and-a-quarter miles of turf will need to be crossed and 30 fearsome obstacles will have to be scaled if one of the 40 entrants want to be crowned Grand National champion in 2018.
Punters have been sinking their teeth into the ante-post betting for a number of months now, as courses all over Britain and Ireland have staged important trials races. Our expert has taken a look through the current ante-post betting and highlighted a 40/1 shot who could turn out to be the best value bet in this year’s Grand National.
5:15pm Aintree Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m2½f
Blaklion was my tip last year and I still believe he has the credentials to be an Aintree champion. Yet, history tells us that debutants are usually the way to go when betting on the Grand National and there are several first-timers who greatly appeal.
Tiger Roll and Rathvinden proved their quality and staying ability at the Cheltenham Festival and both look to be in good enough form to contend. Warriors Tale is a hardy, battling sort and he will bare the silks of legendary trainer, Trevor Hemmings for the first time when he makes his National debut.
Talking of silks, it’s very hard to ignore the Gigginstown colours that dominated at the Cheltenham Festival. Tiger Roll is likely to be Michael O’Leary’s first string, but my eyes are continually drawn to fellow flag-bearer ALPHA DES OBEAUX and his lengthy ante-post price is too tempting to pass up.
The Saddler Maker gelding is a two-time Graded winner over fences, with his most recent triumph coming over the dangerous A Toi Phil in the Clonmel Oil Chase back in November. Mouse Morris’ charge has since finished sixth in the Christmas Chase and the Irish Gold Cup, with a decent fourth behind Presenting Percy in the Galmoy Hurdle sandwiched in-between.
Last season, the Irish Grand National was Alpha Des Obeaux’s objective and, all things considered, he performed very well. David Mullins’ mount was badly hampered by a faller at the eighth fence, but they recovered their composure and recorded a creditable eighth place finish on his first attempt at a three-and-a-half mile trip.
Prior to this season, Alpha Des Obeaux’s only previous visit to Aintree ended in disappointment, as he crashed out at the final hurdle when challenging Thistlecrack in the 2015 Sefton. Morris decided he needed to experience the fences at Aintree before the National and pitched his eight-year-old in with Definitly Red in the Many Clouds Chase. Although he crossed the line a distant fourth, the experience he gained that day could prove invaluable and he should be much more comfortable when he returns to Merseyside next month.
It seems the Grand National has been the plan for Alpha Des Obeaux all season. Mouse Morris has twice won the Irish Grand National and saddled 2016 Aintree king Rule The World, so he clearly knows how to prepare his horses to succeed in races of this ilk. 11-03 is a highly workable weight for a horse of his quality and, since Rachel Blackmore was confirmed in the saddle, his price has come in from 66/1 to 40/1.
Given a clean round of jumping and a fair slice of luck, Alpha Des Obeaux is capable of running well above his current odds.
