The Grand National

the money is for black apache thats where all the talk is

Big Fella Thanks set for National favouritism

BIG FELLA THANKS looks likely to go off favourite for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday - although support on the eve of the race had propelled The Package to second favouritism with some firms.

Coral said on Friday they were "certain" Big Fella Thanks would head the market, while Totesport were confident the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser would start favourite.

Totesport spokesman George Primarolo said: "Ruby Walsh is the punters' darling when it comes to the Grand National and his presence alone should ensure that Big Fella Thanks goes off favourite."


The Package was cut to as short as 10-1 (from 14-1) with Blue Square and Coral, leapfrogging Mon Mome, who came to the rescue of the bookies a year ago with his 100-1 victory, but success for him or Big Fella Thanks wouldbe disastrous, according to David Williams of Ladbrokes.



"Mon Mome is really beginning to set alarm bells ringing now," Williams said on Friday. "If Mon Mome or Big Fella Thanks win, it will most probably be a disaster. We're hoping lightning strikes twice on National day and we get another shock winner."

Character Building was being tipped as the horse to capture the punting public's imagination in the race, with bookmakers estimating up to £300 million will be wagered on the Aintree showpiece.

William Hill fear the combination of Nina Carberry - aiming to become the first female rider to win the National - and a grey horse could lead to an industry-wide gamble on the John Quinn-trained Character Building, who was purchased this weekby Patricia and David Thompson.

"This reads like a Hollywood story and punters love nothing better than a fairytale," Hills spokeswoman Kate Miller said.

"Character Building, injured when hotly fancied for last year's race, with the first lady of racing aboard. The payouts could stretch long into the night if the pair make it a historic National win."

Basing a National selection on a horse's name is a long-standing tradition with many once-a-year punters and Coral predict a host of runners will come in for support by way of that system.

Vic Venturi, Joe Lively, My Will, Ellerslie George, Eric's Charm, King Johns Castle and Ollie Magern could be popular and Coral spokesman David Stevens said: "More than half the adult population of Britain will place a bet on the Grand National and research tells us that more than 50 per cent of once-a-year punters place their bets on horses with a name they like.

"Everyone knows a John, Joe, George, Will, Eric, Vic or Ollie, and if any of these horses win it will be a national disaster for bookies."

The firm expect the forecast good weather to boost betting turnover on a top weekend of sport, which also features the two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley and the conclusion of the Masters golf in the US.

Big Fella is a big drifter on the exchanges

11/1 the win 3/1 the place, first 4 ()

super coverage on bbc today - in fact the whole week across a range of tabloids, you could not possibly be in England this week and not know its the G National today.

Don Wrote:

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> super coverage on bbc today - in fact the whole
> week across a range of tabloids, you could not
> possibly be in England this week and not know its
> the G National today.

and the weather is great as well

The Package is my first choice but I will be having a bet on about 10 horses ( £1 each way) as you never know a nice 33/1 or even better still two or three may run places and you have your money back plus a profit. Besides if you stick to one or two horses then the interest is gone if they both fall in the opening stages of the race. By betting on 10 you have that interest right through to the end.

what time race

just after 4pm uk time...5pm SAF time

Niche Market

I fancy a runner from last year, think it was close to fav last year?????

Cloudy lane

The favs jockey Ruby Welsh has gone to hospital after a fall in the 3rd race. He willm iss the ride on Big Fella Thanks in the big race