Five Horses who should be on your Shortlist for the Grand National

This year marks the 171st edition of the Grand National, which is the most famous steeplechase anywhere in the world. The interest this race generates dwarfs any other in the sport, as the uniqueness of the 4m2f contest makes it a must watch sporting event.

The weights for the 2018 race have been published by the official handicapper – therefore, we have a good idea about the 40 runners that will be lining up on April 14 at Aintree in Merseyside. Here are five horses which should be on your shortlist if you are having a bet on the race.

Total Recall – Odds: 12/1

Total Recall looks the likeliest to start as the favourite when the tape is released for the 2018 Grand National next month. The Irish horse is improving with every run over fences and there is probably a lot more to come in the near future, so he could be still be off a lenient mark for the Aintree feature contest.

The horse’s improvement has come since he joined Willie Mullins’ stable last summer. The Irish Champion Trainer has given the chaser three runs so far this season. He started his campaign at Limerick back in October where he scored by seven lengths in the Munster National. A month later he travelled across to Newbury to win the Ladbrokes Trophy and, in doing so, landed a strong gamble, as he was heavily backed ahead of the race. His most recent success came over hurdles at Leopardstown, in an outing which was used to keep the horse as sharp as possible without ruining his chase mark for the Grand National.

Mullins last won the world’s most famous steeplechase in 2005 when Hedgehunter scored at 7/1 in the betting. Total Recall has a very similar profile to the former winner so it would be no surprise if he entered the history books at the Merseyside track.

Blaklion – Odds: 14/1

Blaklion made his debut in the Grand National in 2017 and at one stage of the race he looked the most likely winner. Unfortunately for connections, he just did not have the speed in the closing stages to challenge the leaders after the last fence, so he had to settle for fourth place on that occasion.

Since that run at Aintree, Blaklion has recorded a win over the unique Grand National fences as he won the Becher Handicap Chase which is run over 3m2f back in December. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner led approaching the last obstacle before going clear to prevail by nine lengths.

At nine years old, Blaklion is the perfect age to challenge for the Grand National this year. The talented chaser proved how tough he was recently when he carried top weight on heavy ground at Haydock in a trial for the Aintree contest. Although he had to settle for second place in that race behind Yala Enki, he lost nothing in defeat as he was trying to defy a very difficult penalty.

The bookmakers make Blaklion a 14/1 shot next month and that looks fantastic value, especially if you pick up one of the Grand National free bets listed and reviewed by Oddschecker before the race. There are some brilliant sign up offers ahead of the meeting at Aintree, including up to £100 from bet365, perfect for those looking to take a bit of a gamble this year.

Cause of Causes – Odds: 20/1

Last year’s runner-up Cause of Causes is set to be the highest finisher from the 2017 Grand National to return to the 4m2f steeplechase next month as One For Arthur will not get the opportunity to defend his crown as he has been ruled out of action for the rest of the season due to an injury.

Cause of Causes has proven on numerous occasions that he loves taking part in stamina tests, as he seems to produce his best form at the longer distances. Trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott, the nine-year-old has been successful at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Cheltenham Festival meetings, with wins coming in three different races. Last year he tackled the Cross Country Chase for the first time and had no problems negotiating the different obstacles the race throws up.

Another shot at the Cross Country is on the cards in 2018 but then all the focus will be on the Grand National at Aintree. As expected, he will need to carry more weight on his back this year but that should not prevent you from backing him. He has proven that he can get round the course and there is a strong chance he can go one place better this time around.

Definitly Red – Odds: 20/1

Definitly Red has been one of the most impressive 3m chasers this season in the UK with two wins coming from his three starts since his campaign began in November. The nine year old therefore has earned the opportunity to line up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he isn’t without a chance of coming out on top in the Blue Riband event of the Festival.

Brian Ellison runner’s best chance at the back of this season may come at Aintree though in the Grand National as he is likely to enjoy the 4m2f trip. Unfortunately his race did not last long in 2017 as he made a mistake at Becher’s Brook which forced jockey Danny Cook to pull his mount up not long after on the first circuit at the Merseyside track.

Since his error at Aintree, Definitly Red has been faultless over fences. He reappeared after his summer break at Wetherby to finish third in the Charlie Hall Chase in the race won by Bristol De Mai. Just a month later, Ellison’s horse was in the winner’s enclosure as he scored in the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree. A second victory came in 2018 in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January. There is no question this horse has the stamina to do well in the Grand National and this could be his year.

Saint Are: Odds: 50/1

One of the most experienced Grand National horses set to feature in the race this year is Saint Are as he will be making his fifth appearance. Tom George’s runner is now 12 years old; however, that should not mean he should be discounted from your shortlist this year.

Saint Are proved he is still good enough to be in contention in the 4m2f contest in 2017 as he finished third behind One For Arthur and Cause of Causes in a fantastic run when going off at 25/1 in the betting. The veteran was staying on late into the race when others had cried enough.

Despite making the placings last year in the Grand National, it was not a career best, as he came home second in 2015 behind Many Clouds. With Paddy Brennan on board on that occasion, the pair were making up ground in the final straight at Aintree; however, they just could not get to the eventual winner in time.

Saint Are should be much fresher for his shot at the race next month, as he has only had the one outing so far in the season. He didn’t make his reappearance until January where he was pulled up in the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle. That outing was used to help shake off the cobwebs, as he was never expected to challenge in the contest which was won by Agrapart.

If you are looking for an outsider this year, Saint Are looks the best option at 50/1. He is arguably the best each-way bet in the field as he has got round the Grand National course more times than any other contender which has been declared.

Enjoy the action on April 14 and the very best of luck if you are having a bet on this fantastic National Hunt race.