The much travelled Big Fella Thanks is back for a third crack at the Grand National this year and bookmakers appear to rate his chances of making it third time lucky. The 9-year-old has changed owners recently but remains in the safe hands of trainer Ferdy Murphy and Stan James have priced the impressive jumper at odds of 12/1 for the big race at Aintree on April 9th.
Harry Findlay recently opted to sell Big Fella Thanks to Max Fawker and Nick Williamson following several high profile run ins with the authorities and the National hope will now run in blue silks. It is the new owners' first Grand National runner and they appear to have taken on a horse with a real chance this year, particularly as he is likely to be paired with jockey Graham Lee. Lee was a National winner with Amberleigh House in 2004 and often brings out the best in Ferdy Murphy's big hope.
Murphy has stated that Big Fella Thanks looks to be in with a better chance of victory than this time last year. The 9-year-old finished fourth in last year's renewal, albeit for Paul Nicholls' stables before moving to Murphy's yard last summer. He was a full 28 lengths back from winner Don't Push It but will be stronger for the run and the experience. He was also entered in the 2009 race at Aintree and came a very respectable sixth, 23 lengths back from 100/1 winner Mon Mome, and with those two previous runs under his belt he could well be in the mix this year.
Officially rated 151, Big Fella Thanks is set to carry 11st 1lbs and that looks a very handy handicap as he fits the trend of recent national winners carrying less than 11st 5lbs (no winner has carried over 11st 5lbs since 1977). Another trend that is very much in the 9-year-old's favour is the fact that he has a 3 mile win to his name, as no horse has won the National without a prior 3 mile win since 1970, and the 2009 Sky Bet Chase victory at Doncaster should stand him in good stead.
His form this season has generally been consistent as he opened his campaign with a second place on heavy ground over three and a half miles at Carlisle in November. A fall in the Hennessy Gold Cup later that month raised concerns but he has since returned to form with a couple of fine displays over shorter distances. A fourth in the Betfair Chase at Ascot in February was followed by a fourth place in the Greatwood Gold Cup, a race he won in 2010, in March. The latest run at Newbury was most impressive as the 9-year-old was carrying 11st 12lbs and many punters jumped on him as his odds were clipped in from 16/1 to 12/1 by StanJames.com, while he was as long as odds of 25/1 when the National market opened.
The 9-year-old is a veteran over the larger obstacles after 15 chase runs and having completed the gruelling four and half mile National trip twice before he looks to have every chance of making it third time lucky at Aintree this year.
8/1 The Midnight Club
10/1 What A Friend
12/1 Backstage
12/1 Oscar Time
12/1 Big Fella Thanks
14/1 Silver By Nature
14/1 Junior
16/1 Ballabriggs
16/1 Niche Market
16/1 Don't Push It
20/1 Quinz
20/1 Arbor Supreme
20/1 Bluesea Cracker
20/1 State Of Play
25/1 BAR
Odds supplied by StanJames.com, who provide a comprehensive betting service for the 2011 Grand National at Aintree on April 9th.
Posted: Friday, 1st April 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: grand national, big fella thanks, ferdy murphy, graham lee, stan james,
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