The Official EDF Grand National thread

[????]

......awaiting the usual suspects but hoping for some 'amateur' inputs too. Fabulous race, useless betting :) haven't thought about it yet

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm backing the beautiful grey in the pretty pink silks.

[????]

Greys never win the National....Millwall would have a better chance

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Well I sure ain't going for claret and blue!

[Kells]

There was a grey a couple of years ago wasn't there...Suny Bay? Oops, he was second..sorry. How about Dessie, did he ever win?

Just googled it...the last grey to win was in 1961. If I owned Suny Bay I'd be spraying him bay right now.....

I fancy War of Attrition, and Comply or Die for a place. But it's down to luck on the day I guess!

[zephyr]

Only race I ever bet on other than the Derby. Usually back about 5 or so horses and last year cam 1st, 3rd and 4th!

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Kells Wrote:

Just googled it...the last grey to win was in 1961.

Do you have to remind me?...My 2nd Grand National after seeing "Merryman The 2" win in 1960.

Remember it, as yesterday. REAL fences in those days before The PC/'elf 'n Safety mob arrived and told us that they knew whats best for us....:))

Spurs Won the Cup Final in that year which was my first!

One question! I feel I'm just embarking on lifes long journey and my 30-year-old G/f feels the same so where did the last 48 f+++ing years go?

[Moos]

Any tips, ????? Or are you the man to ask after Cheltenham Week?

(only teasing. Allow me to offer you some balm for your manly soul - whisky?)

[????]

Moos, an enthusiasm for the Turf does not mean any ability in picking winners......single malt,just ice please

[Moos]

*squints at yardarm*

*shrugs*

*glug, glug, glug*

Perhaps we could have an EDF consortium bet and all watch the race together. Lots of fun and no-one has to go home without his or her shirt.

[Xena Worried prince]

My theory (which hasn't worked for a number of years) is always pick a ranked outsider (100:1 or greater) and put ?2 each way on it

Over 50 years one of them is bound to win and get your total stake back for the total period (it has happened before when most of the field fell) and it also has the added joy of pissing off a bookmaker when you go in to collect

but then again I don't gamble any more since I lost my house, car and cat in a wild drunken strip poker night :'(

[SeanMacGabhann]

I was perched on the sofa some years ago, just prior to the race when 'Arry Redknapp popped up to give some of his tips for the race on telly. Lady Mac was so convinced she opened up a betting account there and then!

And lost

Of course

Mine's a 14 year old Laphroig please moos. No ice either

[Mick Mac]

Not looked properly yet but State of Play may be in with a shout.

Normally have 4 or 5 bets in the national just to make sure I have a horse left in the run in, thats how difficult it is.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

There seem to be an awful lot of clerical references this year. Maybe disestablishment is round the corner?

[Ted Max]

I'm backing Disestablishment each way, PGC

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Don't waste your money Ted, I think Act of Settlement will come first.

[Jah Lush]

The Grand National for me is always a bit of a lottery. You might as well close your eyes and take a pin to the racecard to choose the horse you're going to back.

[lard]

It's not a lottery at all. It used to be more so, but the changes to the fences means that it has become more easy to pick.

For those interested here is the best way of whittling down:

4m4 is ultra long. Nothing carrying over 11 stone 1.

Nothing aged 7 or 12. Probably not 8 either.

Has to have a bit of ability. Has to have won a race worth 50k over 3miles at some point in its career. More than likely that year. Handicap rating of at least 136.

Nothing French

Nothing in headgear

Nothing running first time out this season

Don't use Cheltenham as a guide for form

Generally in the top ten starting prices.

I'll have a little look after the declarations.

[????]

+ Not a grey :))

[lard]

Xena: Worried prince Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My theory (which hasn't worked for a number of

> years) is always pick a ranked outsider (100:1 or

> greater) and put ?2 each way on it

>

> Over 50 years one of them is bound to win and get

> your total stake back for the total period (it has

> happened before when most of the field fell) and

> it also has the added joy of pissing off a

> bookmaker when you go in to collect

>

> but then again I don't gamble any more since I

> lost my house, car and cat in a wild drunken strip

> poker night :'(

If a 100/1 horse won the bookie would not be pissed off. Quite the opposite.

[Mick Mac]

Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride My Will for Paul Nicholls in the GN, the same combination as won so much money for so many people in the Gold Cup.

"Bookmakers Paddy Power immediately reacted by cutting My Will to 8-1 favouritism from 9s.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: "Last year's favourites went off at 7-1 and I confidently predict that My Will be shorter than that at the off.

"Ruby on board will attract all of his admirers and as I said two weeks ago, everyone knows a William or Bill."

[Mick Mac]

Have looked at only a few and have backed BUTLERS CABIN at 10/1 - simply on the basis that it was doing well last year when it fell and has less weight this year. Also has Tony McCoy driving (for good or bad).

I usually do 5 horses but this year am just having this stab, so not hedging for once, just because after a successful Cheltenham I don't want to give much of it back. Hope I don't change my mind later in the week.

Good luck all.

[gugs69]

Aaah yes, the Grand National.

My method - which I reckon is similar to that used by the vast majority of punters - trumps all the scientific methods relating to form, weight, age, etc.

It's quite logical really - just pick a few names that take your fancy and then pray that at least a few of them make it all the way around!

Earned me a tidy sum on Silver Birch at 33-1 a couple of years ago.

My picks so far this year:

Big Fella Thanks (I'm 6'4");

Silver Birch (Did the trick for me once before); and

Butlers Cabin (Probably Tony McCoy's pick, and he has to win it sometime right?)

And for a rank outsider, I'm drawn to Eurotrek for some reason - worth a shout at 100-1?

And lastly, make sure you always bet on number 5, whoever that may be!

[Mick Mac]

Thats brilliant Gugs. I suspect you know more about racing than you are letting on with those choices. I mean, you picked the same horse as me, so you must be a smart cookie. ;-)

[gugs69]

I wish it were true Mick, but my recent betting form tells a very different story...

You're probably safer avoiding my picks at all costs! :)