Grand National Runners 2019: Top Favourites

The 2019 Grand National is almost upon us. It will be the 172nd running of the event, and will take place at 5.15pm on April 6th at Aintree Racecourse.

The Grand National sees 40 horses and jockeys race across a 4m 2f course. The course involves 30 fences and it is the most valuable jump race in Europe.

Some of the jumps have become legendary, such as Becher’s Brook, The Chair and Canal Turn.

Red Rum is the most successful Grand National horse of all-time, with three wins in 1973, 1974 and 1977. George Stevens is the most successful jockey, with five times in the 1800s. Trainers George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain have four wins each.

Tiger Roll

Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll could become the shortest price favourite to win the Grand National since Poethlyn in 1919.

The reigning champion produced a superb run to win the 2018 Grand National, and a sensational victory to win the 2019 Cheltenham Festival Glenfarclas Chase by 22l has connections justifiably excited.

Tiger Roll has won seven chase races from 19 entries, claiming £727,895 in prize money.

He has won each of his last two races in confident fashion, and has no problem taking on the 4m 2f Aintree slog.

His prep for the race has been solid – and with no questions over his jumping or ability to stay the trip – he’s comfortably the one to beat. 

Tiger Roll’s ability to stay mammoth trips is his most daunting weapon, and after doing so on such a consistent basis over the last 18 months, it’s difficult to see him not doing so again here.

Keith Donoghue will likely partner the fav, who’ll have an extra 9lb to carry from last year and go off a weight of 11-1.

Trainer Elliott is chasing his third Grand National win, after Tiger Roll in 2018 and Silver Birch in 2007.

Total Recall

Total Recall will be Willie Mullins’ great hope in this year’s Grand National. Mullins’ nine-year-old charge was travelling well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before falling three out.

It was an encouraging performance from the former Sandra Hughes-trained star. He won on his previous three starts including the Munster National at Limerick and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

He’s joint-favourite here alongside Blaklion at 10/1 and has a decent weight of 11-1 to contend with. His main issues will be that he hasn’t raced at this course before and this will be his first time over fences.

Tiger Roll

Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old was a winner once again at Cheltenham last month.

Having won the National Hunt Challenge Cup back in 2017, he also added the cross-country Glenfarclas Chase at this year’s festival.

Elliott has already won this race with Silver Birch in 2007 and will be confident of going close again with Tiger Roll.

With a weight allowance of 10-12, he certainly catches the eye. He’s got a lot of staying power and is at an age where he should have plenty more to give.

He does seem to enjoy softer ground – as his performance at Cheltenham will attest to – so connections will be hoping for favourable conditions once again.

Minella Rocco

After being pulled from the Cheltenham Gold Cup, trainer Jonjo O’Neill will be hopeful of a big run from his star Minella Rocco.

The eight-year-old will have to overcome a weighty history to achieve success in the Grand National, though. Should he win, he will be the first top-rated horse since the famous Red Rum in 1974 to win the race.

However, at current Grand national odds of 16/1, many punters will be enticed by his class. But he’s not won a race since the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival – and that will be a major concern for backers of form horses.

If the weather holds up and the going is reasonably good, though, connections are expecting him to go well. He’s definitely one to maintain an interest in.

Cause Of Causes

One horse that will be catching many a punter’s eye for this year’s Grand National is Cause Of Causes.

Gordon Elliott’s charge was second here last year and put in a mightily impressive performance. He races off a similar weight as last year of 11-01. And that will go hugely in his favour considering that in last year’s race, he was 4l clear of the field when you took out the winner, One For Arthur.

He was pulled up in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in March – a race which was one by fellow National contender, Tiger Roll.

He’s a little on the older side at 10-years-old but he still should have loads in the tank. And with plenty of experience and staying power, odds of 16/1 could be big by race-off.

You can get all your Grand National news, tips and previews at Coral!