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 your Grand National odds visit William Hill.
Big Fella Thanks: Paul Nicholl's Big Fella Thanks is something of an unknown quantity over fences, having only raced in only 6 chases during his career. However, in these 6 chases he has placed 5 times, an impressive achievement even without taking into account the fact that most of these places came in handicap chases. A 3rd placed at the 2009 Racing Post Chase combines with his recent win in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase to suggest that Big Fella Thanks may be a real threat at the 2009 Grand National.
Comply or Die: Comply or Die thundered out of nowhere to win the 2008 Grand National, and his millions of backers believe that he can do it again in 2009. Counting against the reigning champion will be his 11st 3lbs handicap and history (the last racehorse to win consecutive Grand Nationals was the great Red Rum in the 1970s). However, there are no doubts over his staying power and there's plenty to suggest that Comply or Die will place at the 2009 Grand National.
Hear the Echo: Hear the Echo comes into the 2009 Grand National as the reigning Irish Grand National champion. While he's highly rated by his connections, questions linger over his staying power and whether he'll be able to handle the extra mile he'll have to run over and above his previous highest winning race distance. Weights aren't in his favour either, and with 11st 2lbs onboard its hard to imagine Hear The Echo taking a win at Aintree.
Southern Vic: Southern Vic's popularity in the betting market may be at least partly due to the fact that he's one of the Grand National options for form jumps jockey Ruby Walsh. Trained by Ruby's father, Ted, Southern Vic hasn't done much in his career to suggest that he has it in him to win the world's toughest handicap. One thing that may see him upset the favourites is his low handicap (10st 6lbs), and a possible partnership with the brilliant Ruby Walsh.
State of Play: One of the younger runners in the field has a decent record over fences, including a big Grade 1 win at the 2006 Irish Hennessy Gold Cup. He's well weighted for the 2009 Grand National at 10st 13lbs and has a win at Aintree over his belt, which suggests he may be one of the 'dark horses' at Aintree this year.
