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Grand National Odds predicting away win for Sir Alex Ferguson with What A Friend

What A Friend is certain to gain plenty of media attention this Saturday in the 2011 Grand National. Not only is the eight year old horse joint second favourite for the Aintree showpiece with bookmaker Paddy Power, he's also the main hope for champion trainer Paul Nicholls who has yet to win a Grand National and he is also owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 'Fergie' has plenty on his plate this week, with a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Chelsea on Wednesday night followed by a home match against Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend which will mean he is unable to watch his horse go in the National. That's not likely to stop punters backing the dual Grade 1 winner however, as the once a year punters come out in force for their annual forray into horse racing betting, looking for a back story to convince them to part with their hard earned.

People could do worst than back this talented eight year old. Connections would be lying if they said the Grand National was a realistic aim for What A Friend until he stayed on up the Cheltenham hill last month to finish fourth in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. This had followed two rather insipid runs this season, following on from a fantastic 2010 season, where the eight year old landed the Lexus Chase and the Totesport Bowl here at Aintree twelve months ago. The decision to run the horse in the Grand National this year, twinned with the eye-catching finish at Cheltenham has seen punters ante-post money come into the horse, who is now 12/1 joint second favourite in behind The Midnight Club with Paddy Power.

Famous owners have faired well in the Grand National. Irish businessman JP McManus won his first National twelve months ago with Don't Push It and another of horse-racing's well known owners Trevor Hemmings scored with Hedgehunter back in 2005. For those who aren't so familiar with the names and faces associated with horse racing, Freddie Star owned Miinnehoma who won the Grand National in 1994 under the ride of Strictly Comne Dancing's Richard Dunwooody, whilst football fans may remember Ricky George who part owned Earth Summit who won the race in 1998. George played and scored for Hereford United in the FA Cup win over Newcastle in 1972, famous for a wonder strike from Ronnie Radford and a parka jacket inspired pitch invasion on the muddiest of pitches.

Sir Alex will be in the Old Trafford dugout when the tape goes up in the 2011 Grand National. One wonders whether he'll have the race on a monitor or be plugged into the race commentary, or perhaps just hoping 70,000 football supporters can keep the result secret for him till he gets home in 'Likely Lads. fashion. United are odds of 2/5 to beat Fulham on Saturday afternoon and maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League. United fans could have a flutter on a United/What A Friend double which pays 16/1 with bookmaker Blue Square. Whatever happens, his horse will have a tougher proposition at Aintree than Mark Hughes' Fulham side will offer Manchester United.

Latest Grand National Odds

8/1 The Midnight Club
12/1 What A Friend
12/1 Oscar Time
12/1 Backstage
14/1 Don't Push It
14/1 Silver By Nature
14/1 Ballabriggs
16/1 Big Fella Thanks
16/1 Niche Market
16/1 Quinz
20/1 State Of Play
20/1 Bluesea Cracker
20/1 West End Rocker
20/1 Arbor Supreme
25/1 BAR

Odds supplied by Paddypower.com, who are going quarter the odds five places on the Grand National.

Posted: Wednesday, 6th April 2011
Author: Russell Lloyd
Tags: grand national, what a friend, sir alex ferguson, 2011 grand national, paddypower,

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