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Grand National Betting: Horse Colour Emerges as Key Statistic
Selecting the Grand National winner involves numerous considerations, yet fresh data suggests that horse colour warrants significant attention for the upcoming Aintree race. While seasoned bettors might have solidified their picks for this prestigious horse racing event, those engaging in their annual wager on the Grand National may explore diverse, captivating aspects, ranging from vibrant jockey silks to memorable horse names. However, a recently highlighted statistic indicates that the coat colour of contenders could be surprisingly relevant when placing bets on the Grand National.
Grey Horses’ Grand National Performance Under Scrutiny
Historically, grey horses have garnered public favour; however, research from bookmaker William Hill indicates a trend suggesting punters might reconsider backing these distinctive runners against their bay and brown counterparts in the Grand National. Since 1962, sixty-two grey horses have participated, with a mere seven achieving a top-five finish, representing just 11 percent. Notably, only one grey horse has claimed victory during this period. Neptune Collonges secured a narrow win in the 2012 Grand National, adding to the rarity of grey champions in this race.
Will History Repeat Itself?
Despite the historically weak performance of grey horses in the Grand National, several stables are hopeful their entrants can defy this pattern. They aim to challenge the notion that Paul Nicholls’ 33/1 triumph in 2012 remains an isolated grey victory in recent Grand National history. This year, eight grey horses are slated to compete at Aintree, with two attracting considerable attention in the betting markets, suggesting potential for a shift in historical trends.
Leading Grey Contenders at Aintree
Among the grey representatives this weekend are Vanillier, Intense Raffles, Kandoo Kid, Hyland, Fil Dor, Coko Beach, Duffle Coat, and King Turgeon. Intense Raffles briefly held the position of market favourite last month following the withdrawal of Inothewayurthinkin, the Cheltenham Festival victor. Although Tom Gibney’s gelding’s odds have lengthened slightly in recent days, he remains a prominent contender, buoyed by his impressive victory in the Irish Grand National last year. Vanillier has surged in popularity among grey horses recently, briefly sharing favouritism with some bookmakers before settling at approximately 10/1 odds. This gelding is vying for his third career win and arrives at Aintree following a strong showing in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham.
Vanillier’s Cheltenham Performance
During the Cheltenham race, jockey Sean Flanagan encountered a significant detour after the third jump, veering off course and losing an estimated 10 lengths. Despite this setback, Vanillier recovered, re-entering contention and sustaining his effort to finish third behind Stumptown, a stablemate and fellow competitor in the upcoming Grand National. This performance highlights Vanillier’s resilience and potential for a strong showing at Aintree despite the historical statistics surrounding grey horses in the Grand National.