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Betting hots up for the 2011 Grand National as Bet365 go non runner no bet

The 2011 Grand National is just a few weeks away, as forty runners will go to post in this four mile four furlong handicap chase over the Aintree fences. The dust has barely settled on a thrilling Cheltenham Festival, where a number of runners did their National hopes no harm and there have been several moves in the ante-post betting as a result. Perhaps the biggest market mover of the week was Junior, backed into 14/1 from 66/1 following his 24 length win in Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup last Thursday. David Pipe his trainer immediately hailed the eight year old as a future National horse but with thirty odd horses needing to come out of the handicap for him to guarantee a start, he may not make the 2011 line-up. Bookmaker Bet365 however are one of the first firms to go non runner no bet on the Grand National, so you can back Junior now and if he doesn't run you'll get your stake returned. Whatever happens, the horse is definitely one for the notebook for next year should he not run in the 2011 Grand National.

There has only been one horse to win at the Cheltenham Festival and then go on to win the Grand National a few weeks later since 1961, so the trend is most definitely against Junior should he run. However, plenty have used the festival as a last prep race before going on to win the National, just as Don't Push It did in 2010. Last year's National winner pulled up in the Pertemps Final prior to running at Aintree twelve months ago and connections have plotted a similar route this season, fairing better finishing tenth in this year's Pertemps, off a low hurdling handicap mark. He won't have that luxury at Aintree though as he's primed to carry top weight of 11st10lbs. At 14/1 to win back to back Grand Nationals' he's obviously well respected, but the price does seem short considering the hike in weight and the standard of the opposition.

Another horse to have received support in the betting since Cheltenham was the Paul Nicholls' trained What A Friend. The eight year old owned by Sir Alex Ferguson had had a disappointing season this year, off the back of wins in the Lexus Chase and totesport bowl last year, he'd struugled with motivation and his jumping on two appearances this season before a fine fourth place finish in the 2011 Gold Cup. Wearing blinkers for the first time seem to do the trick as he stayed on into fourth place just finishing a nose behind stablemate Kauto Star for third. The bookmakers reacted by clipping him in to 12/1 second favourite, although he may wait a year for a crack at the National after another tlit at the totesport Bowl this term.

The Midnight Club heads the betting for the Grand National with bookmaker bet 365. The Willie Mullins trained stayer was a winner in the Bobbyjo Chase last month and is likely to have Ruby Walsh onbaord for the National. Also well fancied from Ireland are Backstage and Oscar time at 14/1 with Bet365. The latter of which is owned by Robert Waley-Cohen and all being well son Sam will be in the plate come the 9th April, looking to follow up on his Gold Cup win aboard Long Run. Also at 14/1 are Ballabriggs for Donald McCain and Niche Market for Paul Nicholls whilst Silver By Nature, Big Fella Thanks and Racing Post Chase winner Quinz are all also available at 14/1.

Latest Grand National Odds

11/1 The Midnight Club
12/1 What A Friend
14/1 Oscar Time
14/1 Backstage
14/1 Ballabriggs
14/1 Silver By Nature
14/1 Big Fella Thanks
14/1 Quinz
14/1 Don't Push It
14/1 Niche Market
14/1 Junior
20/1 State Of Play
22/1 Arbor Supreme
25/1 Notre Pere
28/1 Hello Bud
28/1 Calgary Bay
28/1 Merigo
28/1 Becauseicouldntsee
33/1 BAR

Odds supplied by Bet365.com. * denotes best industry price, best odds guaranteed available on this race and non runner no bet.

Posted: Monday, 21st March 2011
Author: Russell Lloyd
Tags: grand national, dont push it, the midnight club, non runner no bet, bet365,

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