2009 Grand National Runners
Handicaps for the Grand National are established in late February, and the odds quoted below are subject to change. For all the latest Grand National odds visit William Hill.
Butler's Cabin: Butler's Cabin was a strong favourite for the 2008 Grand National, but ultimately failed to finish the race due to a fall. He's back stronger for the 2009 Grand National, and has received strong support from punters in the antepost betting markets. A lenient handicap of 10-10 means this could be his best chance of winning at Aintree, and his prospects look good after finishing 5th in the 2009 Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham despite carrying top weight.
My Will: My Will is a late mover in the Grand National betting markets, first attracting real support after he claimed 5th place in an extremel
y competitive field at the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, beyond his Gold Cup performance there's not ultimately much to suggest My Will is a Grand National winner. He has never won at Aintree or over a distance greater than 3 miles 3 furlongs, and firmer ground conditions could easily see him lose his edge.
Character Building: Character Building has built up strong support in the Grand National betting markets since taking the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. The biggest factor in his favour is the fact that he'll be carrying only 10st 4lbs at the 2009 Grand National coming straight off a confidence boosting win overa big field. The main question he'll need to answer is whether he has the staying power to last out the 4 mile 4 furlong Grand National when his longest distance win to date has come over 3 miles 2 furlongs.
Black Apalachi: Black Apalachi is one of a handful of Grand National entries to have enjoyed consistent, strong support in antepost betting markets for the last several months. In his favour is the fact that he's one of the few racehorses in the field to have won over the Grand National fences, a feat he accomplished at the Becher Chase in 2008. However, his overall record in chases has little to recommend it, and he may struggle to stay the full distance at the Grand National.
Rambling Minster: There's no doubt that this stayer is one of the most intriguing prospects at the 2009 Grand National. One of the only true stayers in the field, with a win over 4 miles, Rambling Minster will saddle only 10st 6lbs in the Grand National. Another thing going for him is recent form, as he goes into the National on the back of a win in the 2009 Blue Square Gold Cup, where he achieved an impressive win over a field of 16.