Grand National 2016: Top tips and favourites to win

By Andrew Clark

April 8 2016, 3:44 pm

Saint Are

The biggest betting event of the year is just around the corner but who is going to win?

Many Clouds is a strong favourite for the race, with support for the favourite continuing to grow as we get closer to the race, however, we don’t think he will have enough to complete historic back-to-back wins.

Holywell is an enigma but if he takes to the fences he can certainly challenge for Jonjo O’Neill.

Meanwhile, a former winner of the Grade One RSA Chase for novices at the Cheltenham Festival, O’Faolains Boy showed he was coming back to form when seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

O’Faolains Boy will be bidding to become the first Welsh-trained winner of the National since Kirkland in 1905 and certainly should have the quality to challenge.

Last year, while all eyes were on the deserved winner Many Clouds, Saint Are ran his heart out and, if anything, was gaining on him in the last 100 yards.

This year, Saint Are can go one further and win the Grand National.

Leighton Aspell celebrates victory on Many Clouds in last year's Grand National — Leighton Aspell celebrates victory on Many Clouds in last year’s Grand National

The handicapper has been extremely fair on Saint Are, giving him a 2lb pull for that length-and-three-quarters defeat.

That adds up to Saint Are carrying a featherweight of 10st 5lb, with Many Clouds burdened with 11st 10lb.

A fearsome rival he may be, but having to give weight all round may just find him out on the final punishing run from the last fence.

The National apart, Saint Are has a tremendous record at the course.
He won the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in 2011 and struck in the John Smith’s Handicap Chase a year later.

2013 Grand National winner Auroras Encore

He got round in ninth place in Auroras Encore’s National in 2013 and then had only his really blip on Merseyside when falling a year later in the handicap chase he had won in 2012.

Saint Are impressed at Doncaster in February when he made his last public appearance before Aintree – in the late winter sunshine he signed off with a victory that augured well for his National assignment.

A later start time of 5.15pm for the Grand National is predicted by Ladbrokes to boost turnover to record levels of more than £200million – let’s make sure as many of those bets are winners!