Grand National 2009: This year’s frontrunners (Part 2)

15 of the last 18 winners have started at 20/1 or less. That means there are eleven major contenders: My Will, Butler’s Cabin, Rambling Minster, State of Play, Black Apalachi, Comply Or Die, Hear The Echo, Parsons Legacy, Irish Invader, Kilbeggan Blade and the chickendinner pick Darkness…

» Just one horse in the last twenty years has carried eleven stones or more to victory - Hedgehunter (2005) - which doesn’t bode well for My Will, State of Play, Black Apalachi, Comply or Die and Hear The Echo, who were all dealt with harshly by the handicapper.

» Rambling Minster and Parsons Legacy are hampered by the fact only two horses aged eleven or older have won in the last 13 years.

Posted: April 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Grand National 2009: Avoid the French horses, back Irish

It’s a century since a French-bred horse last won at Aintree

In each of the last two Grand Nationals, the top four places were all taken by Irish-bred horses (the ones listed with IRE after their names) while eleven French-bred horses (FR after their names) came nowhere in both, extending their winless run to a century. For your convenience, here is a list of the expected French and Irish-bred runners, alongside their Boylesports odds:

French Horses:
My Will 6/1
Butler’s Cabin 9/1
L’Ami 20/1
Golden Flight 50/1
Mon Mome 50/1
Nine De Sivola 50/1
Musica Bella 66/1

Irish Horses

Posted: March 31st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Paul Nicholls is 10/1 to deliver another treble at the Gold Cup

Denman doubts damage trainer’s chances of consecutive 1-2-3s

Photo Credit: Barry Batchelor/PA Wire

Sky Bet are offering 10/1 on Paul Nicholls repeating his 2008 feat of training the top three horses in the Cheltenham Gold Cup while they offer 20/1 on none of them being placed.

Denman, Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges, the three horses who delivered the 1-2-3 last year, are the frontrunners once more but doubts over last year’s winner have compromised Nicholls’ chances.

Make sure you visit chickendinner throughout next week for all the important Cheltenham Festival statistics and tips.

Posted: March 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Denman is 7/1 with Ladbrokes to retain the Gold Cup

Last year’s winner has now been pushed out to third favourite

Six horses have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in consecutive years but Ladbrokes have now pushed Denman out to 7/1 to join that elite club, with Neptune Collonges emerging as second favourite.

Denman has suffered heart problems since beating Kauto Star to triumph last year and both trainer Paul Nicholls and part-owner Harry Findlay have put off backers by playing down the horse’s chances of retaining.

Make sure you visit chickendinner throughout next week for all the important Cheltenham Festival statistics and tips.

Posted: March 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment