The weights for the great race at Aintree Festival 2024 will be announced in mid-February and there is generally a flurry of betting on the Grand National after this date.
Seven of the last 14 National winners have carried 11st or more which negates the old theory that you need to look for horses carrying a low weight over such a marathon trip.
It is the only race in the calendar that the BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill can deviate from the official handicap mark and compress the handicap. The goal is to create a more competitive and higher quality race.
The legendary Red Rum remains the last horse to carry top-weight to victory, but Many Clouds carried 11st 9lbs to victory in 2015 and you can no longer put a line through the horses at the top of the handicap.
Betting On The Aintree Festival 2024
Four of the last five National winners have been trained in Ireland and they will have a very strong team at Aintree again this year as they look to maintain their recent domination of the world’s greatest horse race.
In recent years the online bookmakers have offered enhanced place terms on the race and that will again be the case this year with some firms likely to bet each way terms on the first six, seven and possibly eight finishers although do remember the number of runners has dropped to a maximum of 34 from 40 in 2023.
You will find Aintree betting markets online such as:
(i) Number of finishers
(ii) Number of first fence fallers
(iii) Ireland to saddle the first three/four/five.
(iv) Winner to be a grey.
(v) Weight carried by the winner.
(vi) Age of the winner
We have been able to bet on the Grand National online from the time Corach Rambler crossed the line nearly three lengths clear of Vanillier at odds of 8/1 favourite last year.
I have highlighted below a couple of horses you might wish to consider for the 2024 Randox Grand National.
Vanillier 9-y-old With Gavin Cromwell In Ireland
Vanillier, at the time of writing 16/1 in the Grand National betting, finished runner up behind Corach Rambler 12 months ago when he finished like a train to be beaten two-and-three-quarter lengths having jumped the last in eighth, the best part of twelve lengths behind the winner.
He has yet to show his hand so far this season having had just the two runs, and it will be interesting to see how much of a weight pull he gets with Corach Rambler this year. He did not travel as well as the winner last year and softer ground would certainly suit the grey. I would expect Sean Flanagan to race more prominently this year.
Monbeg Genius 8-y-old With Jonjo O’Neill
Monbeg Genius has not seen the track since finishing third in the Coral Cup at the beginning of December and the handicapper left him on a mark of 147 for that Newbury run. I mention his handicap mark because you had to be rated 145 or more to get in the National last year and, sorry to keep banging on about it, but there are six fewer runners going to post this year.
The National looks to have been the plan for Jonjo’s 8-y-old since the Coral Cup and he is currently 20/1 in the Grand National betting. I would imagine he will have a prep race in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham next month given he finished third in the corresponding race 12 months ago behind Corach Rambler who did of course follow up at Aintree. He is a must for any shortlist.
Grand National 2023 Results With Odds And Where Trained
1. Corach Rambler 8/1 fav – GB
2. Vanillier 20/1 – Ire
3. Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/1 – Ire
4. Noble Yeats 10/1 – Ire
5. The Big Dog 12/1 – Ire
6. Born By The Sea 50/1 – Ire
7. Roi Mage 33/1 – Ire
8. Mister Coffey 33/1 – GB
9. A Wave Of The Sea 66/1 – Ire
10. Le Milos 12/1 – GB
11. Our Power 25/1 – GB
12. Enjoy D’allen 50/1 – Ire
13. Fortescue 100/1 – GB
14. Carefully Selected 50/1 – Ire
15. Minella Trump 50/1 – GB
16. Francky Du Berlais 125/1 – GB
17. Ain’t That A Shame 10/1 – Ire
2024 Aintree Festival Summary
The Grand National remains the world’s greatest and most exciting horse race and the three-day Aintree Festival continues to grow in popularity and quality of racing. Yes, the Jockey Club and the Aintree executive have had to roll with the times and changes have been made to the great race, but it remains a unique spectacle and the ultimate examination of horse and rider. Yes, luck plays its part (the first winner was called Lottery back in 1839!) but that is part of its aura and charm.
Good luck whoever you will be betting on in the 2024 Aintree Grand National Festival.
Please note that the information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
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