The greatest horse race in the UK, the 2019 Grand National, is drawing ever closer and the anticipation is building ahead of the Aintree showpiece.
The Grand National takes place on the final day of the three-day Grand National Festival at the Liverpool-based racecourse, which runs from Thursday 4th April through to Saturday 6th April.
The feature race is often packed with drama, none more so than last year when Tiger Roll just hung on for the win in a photo finish from Pleasant Company in one of the closest Nationals since its inception in 1839.
How long does the Grand National race last? It generally takes around 10 minutes, with the quickest time recorded coming in 1990 with Mr Frisk’s win, which came in a time of eight minutes 48 seconds while the longest it has ever taken is 14 minutes 53 seconds in Lottery’s win in 1839.
The final 2019 Grand National line up will be confirmed on Thursday 4th April ahead of the big event two days later where 30 fences and four mile and 514 yards stand between the 40 horses and joining the list of National winners, but who will come out on top? Here’s some of the top contenders for the 2019 Grand National.
Grand National 2019 ante post favourites
If you fancy an early bet on the Grand National than our ante-post Grand National market offers great value.
With the final line-up for the Aintree showpiece not confirmed until two days before the race, the chances are the odds available now will be slightly higher than in comparison to what they would be on the day of the race.
You can take a look at the thoughts of our horse racing expert’s best ante-post bets here, while we now take you through some of the ante-post favourites.
Tiger Roll
Last year’s winner has already proved popular with a number of punters and he could well go off as one of the shortest-priced favourites in recent history if the money continues to come in for him.
His ante-post odds were reduced even further following his impressive 22 length win of the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival a few weeks ago.
If Tiger Roll is victorious he would become the first horse since Red Rum back in 1973 and 1974 to record back-to-back wins of the National.
Rathvinden
Looking to become the fourth 11-year-old to win the race since 2012, and has shown a liking at this distance with a win over 4m at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017.
This will be his first National, but trainer Willie Mullins will be hoping to pick up his second win of the feature race following on from his 2005 success with Hedgehunter.
Pleasant Company
Pushed Tiger Roll all the way in a dramatic photo finish last year, and before that finished ninth in 2017 so has plenty of form over the National fences.
Is looking to become the fourth recent winner of the race as an 11-year-old, following on from the successes of Neptune Collonges, Auroras Encore and Pineau de Re in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Anibale Fly
Is expected to run a big race this year after his fourth-place finish in 2018 as an eight-year-old and owner JP McManus will be hoping for a second success after winning the National with Don’t Push It in 2010 with AP McCoy on board.
With another year of experience under his belt, he is already been well backed to triumph at Aintree.
One For Arthur
Denied a chance of defending his 2017 win due to injury last year, but is back to try and become the first horse since Red Rum to win back the race after a gap of a year or more.
His win two years is bound to sit well with the punters who look for previous course experience, and though doubts will be there as to whether he is anywhere near his 2017 form, he would prove to be a very popular winner once again.
Lake View Lad
Connections have always fared well in this race, with owner Trevor Hemmings picking up three Nationals over the years.
Although it will be his first run over these fences, he is a consistent sort who always seems to be in with a chance in most of his races.
Vintage Clouds
Another Hemmings runner, and has won at Aintree in 2017, albeit not over the National fences.
Was third in the Scottish National last year, and trainer Sue Smith also has previous in the National having won the race in 2013 with Auroras Encore.
Will be hoping to make the cut after narrowly missing out on competing in last year’s race.
Grand National 2019 runners list
The final declarations for the 2019 Grand National will not be known until Thursday 4th April, but below is the list of runners and riders currently set to start the race, which are subject to change.
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