2008 Grand National Ante Post Betting

The 2008 Grand National ante post betting market following the announcement of the weights sees joint favourites in Mr Pointment and Snowy Morning. The long-time market leader with totesport is the well-supported Paul Nicholls-trained Mr Pointment. The lightly-raced nine-year-old headed the betting at 14/1 after securing a game victory in the totesport.com Becher Chase over the big Aintree fences on November 25, but those odds soon shortened to 12/1.

Popular Irish owner JP McManus is still chasing success in the world’s most famous steeplechase and his Butler’s Cabin was a 14/1 equal second choice of three prior to the publication of the weights. The eight-year-old scored at the Cheltenham Festival last season and added a famous triumph in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. Racing Post Chase winner Simon and the Willie Mullins-trained Snowy Morning are the other 14/1 pre-weights shots with totesport. The latter, runner-up in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase last term has had two starts over hurdles this season.

The Howard Johnson-trained Bewleys Berry was a length runner-up to Mr Pointment in the totesport.com Becher Chase and has been steady in the list at 16/1, while 2007 John Smith’s Grand National third Slim Pickings has been static at 20/1. A swathe of horses have been available at 25/1 including the Peter Bowen-trained McKelvey who was a fast-finishing runner-up to Silver Birch in last season’s main event. Others on offer at the price include Grade Two Letheby & Christopher Chase winner Knowhere and Cloudy Lane, trained by Donald McCain jnr, son of Aintree legend Ginger "Red Rum" McCain.

There has been support for shrewd Irish handler Tony Martin’s trio. Paddy Power Chase winner Newbay Prop and Troytown Handicap Chase victor Royal County Star both shortened to 25/1 in January. Dun Doire, who has tightened from 40/1 to 33/1 in the past two months, was pulled up before four out in last year’s renewal.

5 Previous Articles

Grand National Final Runners will be Announced on Thursday 3rd April	05 Feb 2008
2008 Grand National Weights	05 Feb 2008
Tote Grand National Betting	04 Feb 2008
Paul Nicholls Grand National Team	30 Jan 2008
Irish 2008 Grand National Entries	30 Jan 2008