To the heartbreak of antepost backers, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run in the world’s greatest steeplechase, so who is the new favourite in Paddy Power’s Grand National betting market?
Gavin Cromwell’s stable star was the favourite for the Aintree feature before denying Galopin Des Champs a hat-trick in the Blue Riband event at the Cheltenham Festival and talk immediately turned to whether he could become the first horse in 91 years since Golden Miller to achieve the double.
Inothewayurthinkin was allotted a mark of 160 by the British handicapper for the Grand National – 7lbs inferior to last year’s winner and top weight I Am Maximus – and that looked generous based on his Cheltenham heroics.
Due to the quick turnaround and the fact he could dominate at the top level for years to come, it is, perhaps, unsurprising, that trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus have opted against a crack at the Aintree marathon.
The void left by Inothewayurthinkin at the top of Paddy Power’s betting has been filled by last year’s Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles.
Aintree has been the plan for connections since his Fairyhouse triumph and he was enjoying a quiet campaign over hurdles before a cracking performance over fences in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase when finishing less than a length behind Thyestes scorer Nick Rockett.
Shrewdies have spotted that there will be a 15lbs swing in the weights in Intense Raffles’ favour if the pair meet again in the Grand National on Saturday, 5th April.
Desite scratching Inothewayurthinkin from the race, Cromwell and McManus still boast a stack of leading contenders towards the top of our market.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer could call upon Cross Country Chase winner Stumptown, 2023 Grand National second Vanillier and the hat-trick seeking Perceval Legallois, who is also owned by McManus.
The famous green-and-gold colours are also set to be carried by reigning I Am Maximus and Premier Chase second Iroko, who has been targeted at the Grand National all season.
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
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