With the 2018 Grand National now just a few days away, a picture is starting to arise of who the main contenders will be. Some horses will have picked up a knock or two at the recent Cheltenham Festival, but you can reasonably sure that the current odds will be somewhere close to the odds offered on race day on Saturday.
Here is a list of six horses to keep an eye on. It will stop short of making predictions, but rather point you in the directions of runners who could make an impact in the race. Some selections offer huge value, however, so click here for Grand National free bets from major bookmakers.
Total Recall - 11/1
The early favourite almost across the board with major bookmakers, Total Recall will generate plenty of headlines over the next few days. Willie Mullins’ horse still has a lot to prove, though, so there may be a few torn-up dockets with his name on it littered around the course after the race.
Blaklion - 12/1
Right up on Total Recall’s shoulder when it comes to the betting odds, Blaklion is arguably the better candidate for this type of race. He was fourth in last year’s Grand National, but if you re-watch the race you will see that he was hampered when leading over the second last fence. Punters should take note.
Tiger Roll - 12/1
The highly popular three-time Cheltenham Festival winner will lift the roof off Aintree Racecourse if he wins the Grand National. Gordon Elliott’s stable is in supreme form, taking eight wins at Cheltenham last month. Tiger Roll represents Elliott’s best chance to win this race since Silver Birch in 2007.
Minella Rocco - 16/1
Minella Rocco has been given the top weight of 11st 10lbs by the handicappers for the Grand National and looks like an interesting candidate. Jonjo O’Neill’s horse has not won a race since 2016, but he did finish a worthy second in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Will need dry conditions at Aintree to flourish.
Vicente - 33/1
When punters start doing their research about Grand National trends, the name of Vicente will come up as one that ticks all the boxes. Paul Nicholls’ horse has now won the Scottish Grand National twice. He may be backed into lower odds by the time the race starts.
Raz de Maree - 50/1
Raz de Maree should generate a bit of buzz by being in contention to be the first 13-year-old National winner in nearly 100 years (Sergeant Murphy, 1923). A recent win in the Welsh Grand National is a decent indicator about stamina, although unseating jockey Ger Fox at the Grand National 2017 might put a few off.