The Grand National at Aintree Racecourse is a little over a week away so it’s probably a good time to start whittling down your shortlist of fancies if you’re planning to have a flutter.
A listener of our From The Horse’s Mouth podcast asked Frank Hickey for an each-way double on the Grand National and Irish Grand National.
Paddy Power’s expert trader had already detailed his interest in Longhouse Poet for the Irish Grand National so he revealed the horse he has backed at a price in the 2021 Grand National.
A total of 77 entries stood their ground after the second round of scratchings for this year’s Aintree renewal. The field needs to be whittled down to 40 runners but Paddy Power are offering non-runner money back until final declarations so you don’t risk losing out if your pick withdraws.
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The one that is just crying out to be backed – and I have backed him – is DISCORAMA for Paul Nolan. He’s what I’d call a grade-one-and-a-half horse.
Discorama was second in a Grade 1 to Delta Work, been second at two Cheltenham Festivals and was third off a relatively high mark in the Ultima Handicap Chase last year. He stays and was only beaten by a short head by Milan Native at Galway on his first start this season when conceding 4lb and then he disappointed at Cheltenham on bad ground.
Paul Nolan’s horses weren’t running that well in the first half of the season but there’s been a notable uplift in how they’ve been running in the last few weeks, especially getting a winner at Cheltenham. He had three or four winners leading up to Cheltenham as well.
Discorama’s had a wind op, I really like his chance and we’re offering 16/1 at time of publishing. I’m looking at the likes of Minella Times and if you gave me a match bet between the two – I think Discorama’s the better chance.
I had a good look at the race and I don’t think it’s a very strong renewal. There’s not half as much depth as you’d have had in previous years. Discorama just reminds me a little bit of 2016 Grand National winner Rule The World with a profile of not winning as much as you’d like to but he has that class angle and if he takes to the fences I think he’s a massive chance.
Cloth Cap has obvious claims but he’s very short in the betting Pople are taking that winning performance at Kelso too literally. I’m not sure his main rival that day Aso stays three miles that strongly and I have question marks about Two For Gold. I think he may have been slightly flattered.
While he is well in at the weights as the Aintree National weights were set in February – I don’t think he’s 14lb well in.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Read More on the Grand National 2021
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- Grand National punters flock to support Cloth Cap
- Grand National potential rides for Cheltenham queen Rachael Blackmore
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