The Grand National horse race is one of the most eagerly-awaited races of the horse racing calendar, with more money being bet on the Grand National than any other sporting event. Even people who can go the rest of the year without betting tend to have a small flutter (even your nan has 50p each way) on the National.
The Grand National is run at Aintree racecourse just outside Liverpool, and is normally run on the first Saturday in April, the exceptions to this being in 1997 when a bomb threat was received, and in 1993 when the race was abandoned due to a series of false starts. The course itself is legendary, being run over two circuits, it is a total distance of 4 miles 4 furlongs, and features such well known jumps as The Chair and Bechers Brook.
The Grand National 2009 will be run on Saturday 4th April 2009. There are usually well in excess of 40 horses competing in the race. Here are the current Grand National 2009 runners, and their latest odds:
The early favourites to win the Grand National betting 2008 are Mr Pointment, Butlers Cabin, Simon, Snowy Morning, Bewleys Berry, Miko de Beauchene and Hot Weld. Other runners include Slim Pickings, Joes Edge, Hedgehunter, Character building, Irish Raptor, State of Play, Leading Man, Not Left Yet, cornish sett, Sir Frederick and According to John.
The Grand National winner 2007 was Silver Birch, ridden by Robbie Power and trained by Gordon Elliott. The odds at Starting Price for Silver Birch were 33/1. The most famous horse to have won the National was of course Red Rum, who won the race in 1973, 1974 and 1977 to cement his place in horse racing history.
Several bookmakers offer a free bet on the Grand National, including Bet 365, Blue Square, Ladbrokes, Coral and VC Bet. Check out the individual bookmakers website for full details of their free Grand National bet.
