As we enter Grand National week, the market for the grand, old race is starting to fluctuate like crazy. It’s no surprise really, with the vast majority of punters who have studied the form guide, trends and odds vigorously by this stage starting to place their wagers on their selections.
There have been several big movers in the market recently, with some horse’s odds being slashed massively as they gain momentum from those placing a bet after scouring the deepest crevasses of the internet for Grand National top tips.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the entries that are edging closer to the fore of the ante-post market as their odds continue to drift with the bookies. Read on to find out more!
Snow Leopardess
Given that just three greys have won the National in its entire 183-year history, many will tell you to steer clear of them every year. But that doesn’t seem to be the case as far as Snow Leopardess is concerned, as the Charlie Longsdon-trained horse only appears to be getting shorter in the market.
Once a 16/1 shot, the 10-year-old is now into single figures (8/1) and is hot on the heels of joint-favourites Any Second Now and Delta Work. The form of Snow Leopardess this season is not to be sniffed at, with three wins from three in long distance chases this year — including a victory by a nose in the Beecher Chase over the National fences at Aintree in December.
Being a grey and a mare means the trends are stacked against her for a stunning National triumph. But with such fine form, is it really any wonder she has been backed into such short odds?
Éclair Surf
Another horse gaining a lot of traction in the Grand National market, Éclair Surf has been slashed from as far out as 33/1 to a general 14/1 chance. The Emma Lavelle-trained horse fell in a Handicap Chase on his seasonal reappearance at Bangor-on-Dee in November— won by Snow Leopardess, but was third to Iwilldoit in the Welsh Grand National Trial before winning a Grade 3 Handicap at Warwick by 13 lengths in January.
Stepping up in trip for a four-mile, one-and-a-half-furlong Handicap at Newcastle was a real test of Éclair Surf’s stamina. But the eight-year-old passed with flying colours, being beaten by just the nose of Win My Wings — who went on to win the Scottish Grand National by seven lengths last weekend.
That second-place finish in the North East meant a big rise in Éclair Surf’s Official Rating, meaning he made the cut for the National. It’ll be a big ask for the eight-year-old to win on his first crack at the Aintree hurdles though. Might be worth an each-way flutter, at best.
Fiddlerontheroof
To use the old phrase — consistency is key, Fiddlerontheroof has that in abundance. In fact, in 10 attempts over fences, the eight-year-old has never finished outside of the top three. Although, it is worth noting at this stage that he has won on just two of those occasions, and they have been at much shorter distances than the National — 2m4f and 2m3f, respectively.
Still, the Colin Tizzard-trained horse has enjoyed some fantastic form this season. He won on his reappearance in a Listed Race at Carlisle in October and has been there or thereabouts since — finishing just half-a-length behind winner Cloudy Glen in the Grade 3 Trophy Chase at Newbury before another close second at Ascot for the Listed Swinley Chase last month.
With seven second-place finishes from those 10 starts over fences, Fiddlerontheroof will certainly be another popular each-way shout.