Editor / 24 February 2009 Free Bet

It's just two weeks until Cheltenham and it's hard to get away from the build up and excitement surrounding the festival. For racing fans, this is the equivalent of the World Cup and all of our clocks are now ticking down towards 1:30 PM on Tuesday, March 10.

However, The Aintree Grand National is also just around the corner on April 4, and it's worth keeping a close eye on the betting as the updated list has been announced following the latest round of forfeits. There's still a long-list of 106 horses, but now is the time for ante-post punters to start taking any big prices that are left about their fancies...

Black Apalachi
He fell at the first fence in last year's National, so we should proceed with some caution - but Dessie Hughes' ten-year-old has improved no-end since last year and his trainer says he's at least a stone better than he was last year on form. He's Irish-bred which is a plus; and his win in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse was simply superb. He pulled well clear that day and had loads in the tank to keep Snowy Morning at bay. He has a great chance at taking the big race, but I just can't bring myself to take [14.0] ante-post when the entries list is still 106 long. I may back him on the day - depending on the prices.

My Will
Paul Nicholls' My Will ran very well when coming fifth in Newbury's Hennessey Gold Cup in November considering he'd been away from racing since April 2007. He's a tough sort and can handle various types of ground so, on paper, he's in with a shout at these weights. A possible negative may be his breeding. Simon Rowlands may tell us to be wary of trends, but I wonder if even Simon will concede that it's significant that no French-bred has won the Grand National since Lutteur III in 1909. While talking about Cheltenham, Simon rightly points out that: "If a trend exists, then it will affect not just winners but losers and the degree to which the winners win and the losers lose: trend analysis should always reflect this". While I haven't looked back at every single running of the National, I've noted that French-bred horses have represented over 20 per cent of all runners in the past two decades and I feel they performed poorly in relation to their numbers. In 2008, 11 French-bred horses went to post with just three finishing the race - although I will concede that a number have placed in recent years so shouldn't be ruled out completely.

Rambling Minster
I quite like this horse and find the 11-year-old a reliable sort. He's won nice races from 32 starts and it's worth noting that he's never fallen in that time. Amberleigh House and Red Marauder have proved this decade that older horses are still in with a chance, and his current odds of [20.0] are appealing. He was put up 8lbs for winning at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but that wasn't enough to stop him taking the Blue Square Gold Cup Chase at Haydock on St. Valentine's Day, and I think he's doing very well at these weights. A strong contender and well worth a bet at that price.

Notre Pere
I wouldn't advise an ante-post bet here as he still has an entry in the Gold Cup, and Cheltenham remains his most likely target. If he did run in the National, he's off a nice weight and his performances when winning the Welsh National and coming second in the Hennessey Gold Cup at Leopardstown were excellent.

Butler's Cabin
He's owned by JP McManus so it's possible that Tony McCoy will be on board which will push his price down a little. I think we'd all love to see McCoy win a Grand National, but [14.5] seems a little short at this stage as it's been over two years since he's been in the winners' enclosure. In fairness, he was travelling well when falling at Becher's last year but I just don't think his price high enough for an ante-post bet.

Big Fella Thanks
He was gambled on last week for the Racing Post Chase but he just didn't settle in to the race. He done well to fight back for third and stayed on well suggesting he's still open to improvement. Pricewise gave him the nod for the National some time back, so some of the value may be gone and he's now trading around [20.0], out just slightly since his third place last-time-out. I've put in an order in the place market for [6.4] which seems like a safer option. If you disagree, get yourself over there and match my €40!

Of course, there's not enough space to cover every horse, but the above are just a number of horses that may make the frame. I'm keen to get our readers' views on the above and other entries, so if you have an opinion, make it heard by posting below.