The 2019 Grand National is fast approaching and we take a look at three of the favourites that figure high in the betting market. (Photo Credit: The Jockey Club ).
The 2019 Grand National is fast approaching and we take a look at three of the favourites that figure high in the betting market. The betting is heating up ahead of the big event, however which are the horses that we should be looking out for?
Tiger Roll – 16/1
Tiger Roll triumphed in the 2018 Grand National and the Gordon Elliott-trained runner will look to become the first back-to-back winner since the famous Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. The nine-year-old triumphed at Aintree with a weight of 10st 13lbs although it is expected that the handicapper will be lumping more on this time around.
After a gruelling few seasons it will be interesting to see just how much last year’s win has taken out of this horse although he does have age on his side. He has a proven ability over these tough fences but the history books suggest that he won’t make it two wins on the bounce. That hasn’t stopped him heading the betting market however and he will be looking to give the Giggingstown House Stud their third Grand National win since 2016.
Trainer Gordon Elliott first claimed Grand National glory in 2007 with Silver Birch and is the trainer with most entries at this year’s renewal with 22 contenders.
Pleasant Company – 20/1
This horse ran Tiger Roll very close when finishing second at the 2018 Grand National and while he will be an eleven-year-old at this year’s renewal, there have been three horses of that age to have won the Grand National since 2012 and as such he remains one of the favourites in 2019 with potentially plenty of time to play with.
Pleasant Company successfully negotiated the course to finish 9th in 2017 thus proving his durability and ability to handle the tricky fences. The handicapper will almost certainly rate him higher than 148 this year following his impressive performance in 2018 and having been a regular National contender in recent years he will be going all-out to give trainer Willie Mullins his second win in the big race after Hedgehunter romped home to victory in 2005.
Mullins has nine other entries for the big race besides Pleasant Company, these including Total Recall, 2018 Cheltenham Festival National Hunt Chase winner Rathvinden and Irish National runner-up Isleofhopendreams.
One For Arthur – 25/1
One For Arthur was winner of the 2017 Grand National although he was prevented from defending his title after being ruled out for most of the season due to an injury. He has a proven ability over these fences and will seek to become the first runner since Red Rum in 1977 to regain the ultimate prize.
The 10-year-old won the 2017 National with a weight of 10st 11lbs, however there’s a big chance that he will be lumped with more weight this time around. This horse gave trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies his third Grand National win, previous successes coming from Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002.
