April is just around the corner, and that means that the Grand National is nearly here. Peter Watton, from OddsMonkey, shares the lowdown on when and where the event takes place, along with a few expert tips for betting on the race.
Even if you’ve never watched a horse race on TV or been inside an enclosure before, you’ve probably still heard of the Grand National. Undoubtedly the most famous steeplechase in the world, the Randox Health Grand National is the most exciting Jumps event out there for both casual fans and racing enthusiasts alike. With a prize pot of around £1 million this year and a £561,300 prize for the winner, it’s also the most valuable jump race in Europe — meaning it’s a fantastic opportunity to place a bet or two if you fancy a flutter. In this article I’ll take you through the details of the event, and share some tips for picking a winner.
When and where is the Grand National 2020?
This year, the Randox Health Grand National Festival will take place from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th April 2020 at the historic Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. There are three days: Liverpool Thursday, Ladies Day Friday, and Grand National Saturday, with 21 races spread out over the course of the festival. But by far the biggest and most famous race of the meet is the Randox Health Grand National, which is held at 5.15pm on Saturday 4 April.
The 4-mile long race is what’s known as a handicap steeplechase, meaning that horses and riders must face a variety of different fence and ditch obstacles. The track features some of the most notoriously challenging jump obstacles in horseracing and has been called ‘the ultimate test of horse and rider’ — which is exactly why the race is so thrilling.
While the race on the Saturday is always the main event, there are plenty of other exciting fixtures over the course of the three-day festival, many of which are also worth betting on. Other highlights include the Marsh Steeple Chase on Ladies Day, which boasts a prize pot of £250,000, as well as the Ryanair Stayer’s Hurdle on Grand National Day, which offers £200,000.
A glossary of betting and horseracing terms
Bookies and horseracing enthusiasts use their own specialist terms when talking about racing, which can seem confusing to the uninitiated. Here, I’ll explain what a few of the key terms mean, so you can make a more informed choice when you place a bet.
Each-way: When you place an each-way bet, you’ll win if a horse comes in first or places in the top three.
On the nose: With an on the nose bet, you’ll win if your horse comes in first, but not if they place.
Odds-on: A bet where the winnings are less than the stake, meaning you won’t make money on your bet. This is often the case when there’s a favourite who is very likely to win.
Stake: The sum of money you place on a bet.
The form: The form is essentially a track record which describes the past performances of a horse. By looking at a horse’s form, you may be able to make a judgement about how likely it is to win.
The going: This is the report which is used to describe the condition of the ground on the track, usually ranging from ‘heavy’ to ‘firm’, with ‘good’ being the ideal condition. If the ground is soft and boggy, the race will be slower, while a hard course is faster but more dangerous. Some horses have a track record for performing better in certain conditions, which is why the ‘going’ is so important.
The racecard: You can find all sorts of information about each horse and rider in the racecard, including their previous performance, weight, and chances of winning, which are usually indicated by a star rating.
Allowance: The weight concession that horses are given to compensate if their jockeys are inexperienced. The allowance is gradually reduced as they gain experience, and full-time pros don’t claim any at all.
How to pick a winner
There’s no magic formula for predicting which horse will win, and you never know when an unlikely contender might come out of nowhere and steal the title. But, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of picking a winner:
Analyse the form: By looking at the going and the racecard, you can make an educated guess about which horses are likely to perform well under certain conditions. This takes a bit of time, but it’s all part of the fun.
Ask the tipsters: Tipsters know all about the sport and keep up to date with all the latest developments, and so are often able to make very educated guesses about which runners stand the best chance of winning. So, you could consider asking them for tips, although you should bear in mind that might charge a fee in exchange for their expertise.
Blind luck: It might not guarantee you a profit, but making a lucky guess is always a fun way to place a bet, and you certainly can’t beat the excitement if your horse does come in!
What are the current odds?
By far the simplest way to bet is to look at the bookies odds to judge how likely a horse is to win. Runners with the shortest odds have the best chance of winning, however, you’ll also win less money. So, it’s sometimes worth placing a bet on a horse with slightly longer odds, as this will maximise your profits if you win.
At the moment, the bookies odds have these runners in the top five:
- Tiger Roll – 5/1
- Burrows Saint – 12/1
- Any Second Now – 12/1
- Definitely Red – 14/1
- Kimberlite Candy – 16/1
Of course, the odds are likely to change as we get closer to the race, so you’ll want to keep an eye on things in case circumstances. Whatever happens, I’d wager that the favourite going into the race will still be Tiger Roll, who’s status as a horseracing legend was cemented last year when he won the National for a second year in a row. Burrows Saint also looks like an incredibly strong contender who’s in great form at the moment, so he could also be one to watch. At any rate, all eyes will certainly be on Tiger Roll and his jockey Davy Russell to see if they can make history with a third consecutive win this year.
The Grand National is one of the most thrilling events in the sport, and whether you’ll be attending the races at Aintree this year or just want to try placing a bet or two on the action, it’s always great fun. Although I certainly can’t guarantee you’ll win, take my tips on board and you should be able to increase your chances of picking a winner.
