What Should You Be Backing For Saturday’s Grand National 2016?

Saturday 9th April. 5:15PM. Channel 4

The Grand National festival is already well underway, and many punters will already be counting their winning thanks to the performances of Cue Card, Annie Power and co. However, there’s no question what race signals the highlight of the festival at Aintree. The race of the year has arrived once more.

Ardant and casual horse racing fans will all be tuning in to watch the 40-horse steeplechase. It’s a truly magical moment in the sporting calendar and we’ll all be hoping to win some money too. Here’s everything you need to know about the big event. Good luck!

Many Clouds Favoured To Retain Crown

You have to go back to the days of Red Rum to find the last horse to successfully defend its title on the gruelling 4m 2.5f Aintree course, but the 2015 winner is being widely tipped to follow up last year’s incredible run with yet more glory.

For jockey Leighton Aspell, it could be a hat-trick of victories after riding Pineau De Re to victory in 2014. The bookies will be praying that the current 8-1 favourite doesn’t repeat 2015’s feat of winning aboard Many Clouds. While the Trevor Hemmings owned 9-year-old will be fancied, there are a lot of other quality horses in the field.

Ruby Walsh has made a late switch to Sir Des Champs after originally being thought to ride Boston Bob, and that will inevitably see a lot of money come in for the Willie Mullins trained horse. Elsewhere, The Druids Nephew is set to be a firm favourite while it wouldn’t be at all shocking if Wonderful Charm’s price comes in before the 17:15 start.

As always, it will be a stunning race won by a stunning horse. You could make a case for a number of options. From a sporting perspective, we’d love to see the favourite make history. However, you cannot underestimate the enormity of that task, even if it is a great horse. Having said that, it’s been six years since the favourite has won. We’re certainly due a shorter priced winner.

Alongside Many Clouds, Silviniaco Conti is heavily weighted. But if the favourite doesn’t win, then the Paul Nicholls trained 10-year-old could be a very good shout indeeed.

Whatever happens, though, you can bet your last pound that it will be a thrilling race at Aintree. Do not miss it.

Our Grand National Betting Tips

Of course, the main thing that anyone wants from a Grand National bet is to pick a winner. However, there are a number of tips that we must emphasise for punters old and new.

Firstly, you must be prepared to look around for the best odds. Why back a 12-1 shot if you can get 16s elsewhere? Even for a fiver, you’d be missing out on £20 profit. Rule one of gambling is to always get the best odds.

If you’re a new punter, then don’t be afraid to take advantage of the many new customer promotions too. All the big bookies will offer enhanced odds promotions, depending on your selection, you could be in for a real treat.

One of the best promotions we’ve seen is the half-stake refund offered by Bet365 on all each-way bets. Simply place any each-way bet, and you’ll receive half of your money back. In a race such as this, it means that even a place will land you some great profit.

The Grand National is an event where you may just want to go with your gut instinct. But without further ado, here are our selections for the big race. Be lucky!