Big Fella Thanks is the 7/1 favourite for the 2010 renewal of the John Smiths Grand National, but considering that champion trainer Paul Nicholls has yet to win the world’s greatest steeplechase in his illustrious training career, perhaps there are better bets out there. Let’s take a look at the brilliant range of GRAND NATIONAL SPECIALS.

Before the great race has even started, punters have the chance to win or lose money with Paddy Power. They offer odds of 5/6 that there is at least one false start, which could get you cheering whilst others are moaning incessantly. If you fancy that the race will get off to a good start, you can take 5/6 that there are no false starts and monkey business at the beginning.

40 runners can be daunting to sort out, but Paddy Power have a special six-runner National between six of the top jockeys. Supporters can put their money where their mouth is, and cheer ‘Ruby, Ruby, Ruby’ instead of the unwieldy ‘Big Fella Thanks,Big Fella Thanks, Big Fella Thanks!’ Ruby Walsh is the 6/4 favourite in the market to beat off fellow jockeys Timmy Murphy, AP McCoy, Choc Thornton, Barry Geraghty and Davy Russell in the big one. 

Stan James go 20/1 that AP McCoy finally wins the Grand National this year, but you’d do better simply by backing his mount Can’t Buy Time each-way at 25s with Sporting Bet.

The Irish have done well in recent years with the likes of Hedgehunter, Silver Birch and Numbersixvalverde – and are 9/4 to provide the winner in 2010. 16/1 Snowy Morning and 16/1 Arbor Supreme are two of the leading hopes for Willie Mullins this year.

You can also take 3/1 that all 40 horses clear the first fence safely or even 8/1 with Hills that JP McManus owns the winner.

bookies.com is your best bet for checking out the odds on the 2010 Grand National:

Aintree Grand National 2010 Betting Odds

Number of false starts betting odds

Jockey Specials

JP McManus Special

Winning Trainer Specials

The Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts gets underway tonight at the Echo Arena, Liverpoool.

The darts action continues around the UK until the playoffs at Wembley Arena at the end of May.

Sky Bet are looking to take on hot favourite Phil Taylor, offering the stand out price of 1/2. I’m sure that price will appeal to many readers, as he’s been in sensational form this year. Taylor is 10/1 with Ladbrokes to win all televised tournaments this year, and 2/1 with Boylesports to remain undefeated in the 2009 Premier League.

Tonight’s highlight is undoubtedly the rematch of the 2009 PDC Final – Taylor v van Barneveld. Taylor is 2/7 with Boylesports, whilst Barney looks a big price at 10/3 with Ladbrokes. Although I’d fully expect Taylor to win, I don’t think that Barney gave a true showing when he lost 7-1 in the PDC Final. Paddy Power go 5/6 for Barney +3.5, which looks like the bet of the night.

My other bet for the tournament is van Barneveld to throw the most 180s at 7/4. In the PDC he threw 46 to Taylor’s 34, and even bagged a memorable 9-darter. I’m hoping that Barney at least gets to the final; he’s a 5/1 shot to win the Premier League outright. Ladbrokes go 15/8 for another Taylor v Barney final.

28/1 Mervyn King and 33/1 Klaasen are both making their debuts, and it’s pretty difficult to make a case for any of the other players.

Recommendation:

3pts @ 7/4 R. van Barneveld Most 180s

bookies.com compares Darts odds from the best UK bookmakers:

Premier League Winner Betting

Premier League Match Index

Premier League Winner W/O Taylor Betting

Premier League Nine Dart Finish Betting

Premier League Most 180s Betting

Phil Taylor is unsurprisingly the red hot 1/2 favourite, with layers taking no chance this year about the 13 times world champ. He failed to reach the final for the first time last year after making some changes to his game, such as a new set of arrows. He drifted out to 4/1 to win the 2009 edition, which looks like a huge price now. ‘The Power’ is back to his best throwing insane averages, meaning that punters are happy to take short prices about him. He made few mistakes in his opener against Steve Grubb, and he should breeze past his next opponent, Michael van Gerwen. 

Next in the betting is Raymond van Barneveld, 7/1 with Victor Chandler and Hills. He was on fire against Mark Stephenson, where he averaged an impressive 100.8. He rarely missed a double and looks like a decent bet to repeat his 2007 heroics. Unfortunately for me, neither of the best-priced bookmakers are offering each way terms.

Boylesports are refunding all outright winner bets on the tournament if 3rd seed James Wade wins. They are also the only firm to offer each way terms on quarter betting.

Also priced at the top end of the markets are 10/1 James Wade and 26/1 Andy Hamilton, who averaged 101.59. Mervyn King needs to be considered at 33/1 and 50/1 Jelle Klaasen has been cut from 240/1 after beating 10th seed Colin Lloyd.

Hamilton reached the semis 2 years ago, but he’ll have to see to Raymond if he’s to progress past his quarter. I am tempted to back 30/1 Anthony Lewis, who beat Barney 9-2 at the European Championship and has a seemingly safe passage into Round 3. 

79/1 Colin Osborne was clinical against Charles Losper on Tuesday night, and looks like a player to follow. I will be particularly interested in his price for ‘Most 180s’ in his next fixture. 

In other darts news, Eric Bristow has agreed to take on women’s champ Anastasia Dobromyslova in a ‘battle of the sexes’. Anastasia is the 4/9 favourite to win the £10,000 match, which won’t be the only thing at stake. Anastasia has recently been averaging about 80, so she should have too much for the 13/8 ‘Crafty Cockney’, who averaged 74 in the Betfred League of Legends. 

bookies.com compares Darts odds from the best UK bookmakers:

PDC World Championship Outright Winner Betting

PDC World Championship Match Betting

BDO World Championships Outright Winner Betting