Earlier in the week, some were speculating that Cloudy Lane could start as short as 7-2 in tomorrow's Grand National - but the current Betfair betting suggests that is extremely unlikely.

Cloudy Lane is the 11-2 favourite on Betfair in a 103.5 per cent book, and the prospects for the horse shortening further on the exchange look limited.

In fact, it could well be that the horse drifts on Betfair as punters who have secured three-figure odds about the favourite - he has been matched as high as 259-1 - look to lay back their bet at reduced odds for a no-lose punt.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "While the on-course market at Aintree can be a law unto itself - there was an astronomical 152 percent book returned on the National last year - I can't see much prospect of the horse starting at shorter than 5-1, with the Betfair SP edging towards 6-1.

"And Betfair punters may view the race a touch more simplistically than most. You can back or lay the horse at around the 11-2 mark at the moment - so you can either back the horse at 11-2 to beat 39 others, or lay it and effectively be backing the field to beat it at 2-11.

"It could well be that most punters think the latter option more attractive."

To win the Grand National - Betfair bet: 11-2 Cloudy Lane, 11-1 Comply Or Die, 12-1 Slim Pickings, 15-1 Simon, 17-1 Bewleys Berry, 18-1 Butlers Cabin, 20-1 Chelsea Harbour, 27-1 Snowy Morning, Dun Doire, 29-1 Hedgehunter, King Johns Castle, 31-1 D'Argent, Mr Pointment, Point Barrow, 37-1 McKelvey, Mon Mome.

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