Weights Published for 2009 Grand National
45/1 Exotic Dancer has been allotted the top weight, 11st 10lb, for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.
Following Denman‘s sub-standard performance in the Levy Board Chase, connections have sensibly decided against targeting the Gold Cup-National double. Denman had been all the ante-post rage after Paul Nicholls revealed the outrageous plan in the Racing Post, meaning he was backed into 8/1 favouritism. The plan is to go for it next year, but he may still have a run at Auteuil after the Gold Cup.
Butler’s Cabin is the 16/1 co-favourite, and could be the horse to finally break AP McCoy‘s National duck in the famous JP McManus silks. He won the 2007 Irish National, but fell at Aintree last year (10/1).
Hear The Echo is also 16/1 with Victor Chandler, who won last year’s Grand National. To me he looks harshly handicapped, but the National has been his target for a while now.
Pricewise selection Big Fella Thanks is one of those who looks well handicapped, and has thus been backed into 16s from 33/1. I probably still wouldn’t back it if Ruby Walsh was on board, given Paul Nicholl’s poor record in the race.
I am much more tempted by other Nicholls’ runners such as 25/1 My Will (ran a cracker in the Hennessy) or 50/1 Cornish Sett.
Mick Fitzgerald fancies 33/1 State of Play, and there has also been money for last year’s runner up, 25/1 King Johns Castle.
David Pipe‘s 2008 hero, Comply or Die, is 20/1 but has gone 15lb up in the weights. Another win would be a massive ask.
50/1 Endless Power has won twice at Aintree before, but may not get the trip.
This blog will be featuring an extensive Grand National preview come April, in which we will reveal our selections.
bookies.com is the best place to compare the antepost markets:
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