Grand National 2015: The Favourites, The Outsiders and The Long Shots

With the entry list of Aintree’s most prestigious event now finalised, everybody is clamouring over themselves for Grand National betting tips. However, whilst numerous websites are already devoting their time to producing complex articles discussing in-depth and intricate issues, few have actually taken the time to inform people what horses of note are going to be there. So, to help dispel the fog slightly, we have compiled a selection of fact-bursting summarisations of the most interesting contenders for this year’s Grand National.

Favourites

Shutthefrontdoor (8/1)
In a rare occurrence of the jockey getting more press attention than the horse in the lead up to the Grand National, the pressure will be on Shutthefrontdoor to end AP McCoy’s stellar career on a high.

Riding in his last Grand National, McCoy has picked a reliable and tried-and-tested partner. Of Shutthefrontdoor’s nine wins, he has won five with McCoy. Moreover, his three additional placed finishes have all come with the Irish legend as well. There will be plenty of people backing McCoy through sentiment so any Grand National betting tips can help avoid the heart ruling the head.

Rocky Creek (12/1)
A fifth-placed finisher at last year’s Grand National, Rocky Creek has undergone a wind operation during the last summer to maximize his chances of beating this position this year.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has been tireless in his attempts to hone Rocky Creek’s natural abilities. And, now his soft palate issues have been sorted, it seems likely that DA Jacob, who has rode Rocky Creek to three titles, could guide him to further glory.

Balthazar King (14/1)
Balthazar King has won 14 events in his long and successful career, which began in November 2008. Moreover, out of his 24 career wins and placings, 23 of those have come with jockey Richard Johnson, who will be riding him at this year’s Grand National.

A runner-up at last year’s Grand National, and an eight-time champion at Cheltenham, Balthazar may be the most enticing punt of them all at Aintree this year.

Outsiders

Cause Of Causes (20/1)
Having won the Tony Balding Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Cause of Causes has definitely got the proven form among any of this year’s contenders.

Racing since October 2011, Cause of Causes has somewhat struggled to close during his career. Despite getting a placing 15 times, Cause of Causes has only sealed the deal on six occasions – four of them with regular jockey Davy Condon.

Tea For Three (25/1)
One of the oldest competitors in this Grand National, at 11-years-old, Tea For Three will be without his most proficient jockey, McCoy, with whom he has had three wins and seven placings.

Falling early in last year’s Grand National, despite being an early favourite, Teaforthree at least has the royal seal of approval. He was one of the selected handful of horses inspected by the Queen during a recent visit to Wales.

Oscar Time (33/1)
A seasoned competitor, although in his twilight years, there was doubt that the 14-year-old Oscar Time would even make it to this year’s Grand National.

The second-place finisher at the 2011 event, Oscar Time has shown consistent and winning form despite his advancing age. He won the Becher’s Chase last year, working with jockey/trainer father/son duo Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen.

Long Shots

Standing Ovation (55/1)
Since winning four races in quick succession in 2013, all with jockey Conor O’Farrell, Standing Ovation has failed to live up to his potential. The eight-year-old has only secured a single placing since his impressive string of titles.

Guess Again (66/1)
Guess Again is somewhat of a mystery, the 10-year-old Irish-bred horse has won four events and has seven placings. His most successful partnership has been with Tom Scudamore.

Rose Of The Moon (100/1)
The third time was definitely the charm for the Barton-Upon-Humber based Middleham Park Racing syndicate, who had previously failed to qualify for the Grand National with their two previous prize horses.

Rose of the Moon may have finally given the syndicate a Grand National runner, but it is unlikely that he will provide them with an overall winner. The 10-year-old has won five events and scored seven placings. The majority of these have been with jockey Jake Greenall but he is unlikely to transform these small wins into Grand National glory.