With the 169th Grand National just around the corner, there has been significant changes in the odds as a result of recent form.Last year’s winner Many Clouds is still the market favourite at 7-1, but competition is heating up behind the leader due to results in recent races.
The Last Samurai
The horse garnering the most support in the run up to the race is The Last Samurai, which has moved from 25-1 in mid-February, to 16-1 just a week ago to 10-1 now, in second place in the odds behind Many Clouds.This change in odds is due to an excellent showing in a win at Doncaster, the flow of money has been persistent since then, as this shows in the odds.
Outside shots
Gallant Oscar has moved from 25-1 to 20-1, and Bishops Road is now at 25-1, down from 33-1. These horses are still outsiders, but the confidence in their ability is clearly growing.Trainer Rebecca Curtis has announced the jockey bookings for her two runners, with Brian Hughes taking the reins aboard O’Faolains Boy, at 40-1, and 50-1 outsider The Romford Pele being ridden by Trevor Whelan.O’Faolains Boy took the 2014 RSA Chase victory at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014, and has been showing glimmers of this past form recently. Curtis said she was ‘delighted’ to have Hughes riding the 40-1 shot, saying “I think Brian has a good record round Aintree and he’s a straightforward horse”.The National has never been short of surprises, and with an increasing amount of legitimate contenders starting to become apparent, this year looks to be no different.