*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Cloth Cap is strong favourite with Paddy Power for the Randox Grand National at Aintree next month after a wonderful warm-up victory at Kelso on Saturday.
The nine-year-old chaser has seen his odds slashed for the big event on April 10 following a comfortable victory in the Listed bet365 Premier Chase.
Initially 12/1 non-runner money back with Paddy, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained star shortened to 8/1 immediately after his victory and is now just 6/1 as punters pile in.
Cloth Cap caught the eye as he made all the running during the 2m7.5f contest in Scotland, travelling strongly throughout to secure a seven-and-a-half length win over Aso – despite jinking left on occasion and easing up in the final 100 yards.
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The triumph cements his solid form this season, having placed in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase behind Frodon and West Approach on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham in October.
The Trevor Hemmings-owned chaser then went on to beat Aye Right and The Conditional in the Grade 3 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, and now it’s all eyes on the National at Aintree after his latest success.
Cloth Cap is yet to run at the Liverpool racecourse during his career but has seen plenty of support despite that inexperience thanks to the withdrawal of dual winner Tiger Roll.
Tiger Roll’s Gigginstown owners have decided not to attempt a third successive Grand National victory due to what they believe to be unfair handicapping.
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The 11-year-old, who landed the 4m2.5f steeplechase in 2018 (carrying 10st3lbs) and 2019 (carrying 11st5lbs), was withdrawn at the forfeit stage because of an “unfair weight burden” of 11st9lbs.
That has strengthened Cloth Cap’s chances in the £750,000 handicap, while he is only set to carry a relatively manageable burden of 10st5lbs.
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We went 8-1 favourite for the National about Cloth Cap immediately after the race, but punters very quickly realised that he would be at least 8lb well in at Liverpool and he’s now half the price he was beforehand and is into 6-1.”
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Read More on the Grand National 2021
- Grand National 2021 weights unveiled
- Grand National 2021 potential runners and latest odds
- Grand National 2021 date and start time details
- Grand National 2021 spectator details amid UK coronavirus restrictions
- Grand National hero Tiger Roll withdrawn from 2021 renewal
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