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With 40 runners and riders, it can be overwhelming picking a horse for the Grand National. It might be tempting just to side with the favourite but with such a big field, 30 daunting fences and more than four miles to cover, market leaders have a mixed record in the race with many struggling to even place in the top six for each-way backers.
Cloth Cap is the favourite in Paddy Power’s market for the 2021 Grand National at 6/1. Can the Jonjo O’Neill-trained nine-year-old reward his backers with a winning display at Aintree? Paddy Power News delves into the Grand National archives to see how the SP favourites performed in the last 10 years.
2019 – Tiger Roll (4/1)
The Tiger became the only outright favourite in the last decade to justify his price as he roared to victory in front of a jubilant Aintree crowd. Tiger Roll had to defy a whole host of trends to become the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s but he managed to do just that with a thrilling ride for Davy Russell.
The nation had already taken Tiger Roll to their hearts after his heroics in the previous year’s race and in securing back-to-back wins in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but winning at Aintree for a second time secured his place as an icon of the sporting world.
READ MORE: WHY TIGER ROLL IS NOT RUNNING IN 2021 GRAND NATIONAL
2018 – Total Recall (7/1)
Despite a fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and carrying 11st 5lb, the Willie Mullins-trained Total Recall was the favourite but made plenty of mistakes on his way round Aintree Racecourse and was eventually pulled up before the second last.
TOP TIPS: 5 TRENDS TO NOTE WHEN PICKING YOUR HORSE IN 2021
2017 – Blaklion (8/1)
It was all going swimmingly for Noel Fehily on Blaklion as he gradually made his way through the pack before a tricky final couple of fences hampered his chances. The then eight-year-old stayed on for fourth as One For Arthur became only the second Scottish-trained winner in history.
2016 – Many Clouds and The Last Samuri (8/1J)
Plenty of support came in for Many Clouds to make it back-to-back wins in the race but a breathing problem and lost shoe badly hampered his performance as the defending champion came home last of the finishers. The Last Samuri rewarded each-way backers by placing second behind Rule The World.
2015 – Shutthefrontdoor (6/1)
A field of 39 – after Carlito Brigante was declared a non-runner – tackled the Grand National fences as the money came in once again for Tony McCoy’s choice of horse. Shutthefrontdoor went to Aintree with nine wins from 15 starts under rules but faded at the last to place fifth as Many Clouds held on for an impressive victory carrying 11st 9lb.
2014 – Teaforthree and Double Seven (10/1J)
After a false start to the race, Dr Richard Newland’s Pineau De Re emerged as the 25/1 winner – but the two joint-favourites suffered vastly different fortunes. Tony McCoy’s mount Double Seven stayed on for third while Teaforthree unseated Nick Scholfield after a blunder at The Chair.
2013 – Seabass (13/2)
Seabass and Katie Walsh were back for a second shot at glory although a rise in the weights – running off a career-high mark of 154 – made it a tough ask as a stamina-sapping finish resulted in 13th place behind shock 66/1 winner Auroras Encore.
2012 – Seabass and Shakalakaboomboom (8/1J)
Hopes were high that Seabass could be the horse to take a female jockey to a first win in the Grand National with Katie Walsh in the saddle. It turned out to be one of the most memorable finishes in history as Neptune Collonges pipped Sunnyhillboy by a nose to become only the third grey in history to win the race. Seabass placed third – the best ever result for a female rider – while Shakalakaboomboom faded on the run in to finished eighth.
2011 – The Midnight Club (15/2)
With Don’t Push It being handed top weight, The Midnight Club emerged as the favourite. A six-time winner under rules and heading to Aintree fresh off a Grade 2 win at Fairyhouse, Ruby Walsh’s mount was hampered towards the end of the race but held on for sixth place behind Ballabriggs.
2010 – Don’t Push It and Big Fella Thanks (10/1J)
Tony McCoy’s long, long wait for a win in the Grand National was finally over as Don’t Push It rewarded his many backers with an assured display of jumping to secure a 5l triumph. The McCoy factor was key to the horse’s popularity with punters while Big Fella Thanks attracted support after placing sixth as a seven-year-old in the previous year’s renewal. Barry Geraghty – a late replacement for our Ruby Walsh – steered the Big Fella to fourth to reward any each-way bets.
Read More on the Grand National 2021
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