We've been chatting to the Ladbrokes trading desk and have their hot Grand National tips on the 2010 Renewal
Ladbrokes one of the World's most trusted bookmakers has launched a Grand National Tips site today which you can access at Ladbrokes.com/grandnational. They are live streaming the 2010 Grand National using their excellent video service.
We caught up their head traders late Friday night and here are the key points:
Irish Raptor, KING JOHNS CASTLE and Big Fella Thanks are just three of a hatful that can (literally) be picked out of the hat, and the vote of confidence goes to King Johns Castle.
Arthur Moore's gelding King Johns Castle has had a nice preparation over hurdles and should be spot on for this assignment. He seemed to relish the fences when second here two years ago and with less weight on his back he must go close if completing.
Big Fella Thanks is one of several Paul Nicholls-trained runners who will be hoping to break his trainer's record of never winning the race. This 'fella' was sixth last year and must be a big player with that experience under his belt and an excellent campaign over fences so far this season.
Stablemate Tricky Trickster blotted his copybook at Cheltenham in the Gold Cup but this has always been the plan and he is not to be ignored.
Niche Market is a solid jumper and the former Irish National winner is considered, along with Comply Or Die who is the chosen mount of Timmy Murphy and it is easy to see why having finished first and second in the last two years.
Mon Mome was a revelation last year and his third in the Gold Cup should have put him spot on, whilst last years' winning jockey Liam Treadwell gets the leg up on Nozic who isn't badly treated and should give his owners for the day a good run for their money.
Dessie Hughes goes to war with two; Vic Venturi and Black Appalachi. The former beat his stablemate in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and has won over these fences before, whilst Black Appalachi was well-fancied for this last year but he came a cropper and this talented front-runner needs to avoid any serious errors.
Madison Du Berlais is classy but often a bit guessy at his fences, My Will ran a cracker in third last year but tends to run his best races for Ruby Walsh, whilst Ballyholland will appreciate any drying of the ground in the lead up to the race.
Backstage has had this as a target for ages and is interesting if staying, Snowy Morning is classy and despite stamina limitations wasn't disgraced here last year, whilst Can't Buy Time looks the pick of the Jonjo O'Neill runners and he cannot be ignored despite the (relatively) tender age of eight.
State Of Play has been aimed at this race since finishing fourth twelve months ago, the omens are right for Character Building given his new owners and he might relish this trip, whilst Irish Raptor and The Package join Abbeybraney on the list of interesting lightly-weighted contenders. The latter especially looks the type to bounce back to form here.
Arbor Supreme is another contender for JP McManus and whilst he comes here in good form, he looks short enough in the betting with the stable not firing in the winners. As expected the toughest betting race of the year, but also the most popular.
Ladbrokes is live streaming all the races from Aintree Today including the 2010 Grand National. To watch the live stream simply go to Ladbrokes and sign-up (today they have a special Grand National 2010 website up). Then, go to the Sports > Horse Racing, place a £1 bet on the race you wish to watch and click on the video icon to see the race live.
