Grand National Tips

Here at TellyBetting we're not only about reality TV. Any televised event, sports based or otherwise is fair game. With that in mind how could we resist casting an eye upon one of the nations most treasured sporting event, The Grand National.

The roar of the crowds is almost overwhelming at Aintree during the Grand National and this Saturday those at the track and the rest of us glued to our TV screens will get to be part of that excitement. 40 horses or there about will once again cover this 4 mile+ course, jumping and hopefully clearing 30 fences over two circuits.

There have been some big priced national winners over the years, many highlighted on the outsider horse racing blog, which was bound to be the case I suppose since the race has been run since 1836. Who can forget the 100-1 winner Mon Mome in 2009 and even more recently Auroras Encore at 66-1 in 2013.

As for this year, we have a short priced favourite in the form of last year's Irish National winner Shutthefrontdoor. Hotly tipped, there's no doubting that it's in with a shot, but at 7-1 there's not really a lot of meat on the bone. Betting on the Grand National is one of the few national betting events that is more than often all about the fun even if you have placed a small wager on it. With that in mind, I'd rather bet on an outsider or two in the hope of winning big. 

The bigger priced selections I'm going to go for are First Lieutenant at 33-1 and Dolatulo at 40-1. First Lieutenant, ridden by Nina Carberry, who would become the first ever female jockey to ride a Grand National winner, still has some mileage in the tank. Dolatulo, winner of the Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day looks to hold promise too. Formally trained by Paul Nicholls and now Warren Greatrex, who's had a great season, Dolatulo is handy over the fences and in with a shot here.

Both are a bit of a punt to be honest, but with a field of near 40, if your luck's in it's in and if it's not, it's not.

Enjoy the race!