Office Sweepstakes are once again on all of our minds, because that’s right, it’s nearly time for the jewel in the crown of horse racing that is the Grand National. This national hunt spectacle is held annually (this year on Saturday 13th April) at Aintree near Liverpool and attracts the very best of the world of racing, from horse and jockey, to trainer and owner. The purse for the Grand National is £1 million+ with the winner taking away £561,000 in 2024.
Last years Grand national was won by Corach Rambler, who is back and looking to do the double at horse racing betting odds of just 4-1. That goes to show how confident bookmakers and punters alike are of his chances. I’m sure trainer Lucinda Russell’s is confident too considering the relative ease at which her horse romped home in the previous years National. Having also solidified a claim to being one of the best staying chasers around in this years Cheltenham Gold Cup, Russell has stated that the result and preparation is ‘exactly what we wanted’.
Bookmakers are worried, with one highlighting that since said performance “he has been absolutely hammered in the betting”. They’ll of course be hoping for a different result, but who else could be in the running?
One obvious contender is trainer Willie Mullins’ I am Maximus. At 7-1 and with a very impressive win in the Bobbyjo Chase at the tailed of February, it’s clearly a danger to the Corach Rambler fairytale ending. Those looking for slightly bigger odds might want to go with Mr Incredible at 14-1. While this talented chaser unseated jockey Brian Hayes in last years Grand National he’s had some very spirited displays (2nd in last seasons Classic Chase for instance). It’s another Mullins horse (he has nine in the 2024 Grand National!) too.
For those less inclined to bet on a favourite and more for a rank outsider, how about Delta Work at 25-1. He the Cross Country Chase at last years Cheltenham Festival and was also going well in the National until unseating his rider. Worth a shot at those odds surely.