Grand National
JP McManus Runner The Biggest Liability For William Hill Following Grand National Weights
The official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, have revealed that Iroko is still their biggest loser in their Grand National ante-post book.
With the weights for the world’s greatest race announced today in Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, the leading bookmaker have their biggest liability riding on the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained runner.
Fourth in the race last year and carrying 5lbs more this time around, Iroko is the 6/1 favourite ahead of I Am Maximus, another big loser at 10/1.
Haiti Couleurs, allotted 11st 10lbs, has been pushed out to 14/1 from 10s by William Hill, after his 7lbs rise for his romp in the William Hill Denman Chase. Those who’ve been cut for Aintree glory include Resplendent Grey, 20/1 from 33s, and Jordans, 25/1 from 33s.
The biggest mover is Stellar Story, shortened into 25/1 from 50s. He could be set to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but with proven stamina and class as a Grade 1 winner, the leading bookmaker see him being popular should he turn up at Aintree on April 11th.
Twig, winner of the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase, is not guaranteed a run at 52nd in the weights.
However, should others come out and he line-up, he’d be going for the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National bonus, which would see connections rewarded with an extra £500,000 should he win the Randox Grand National.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The anticipation for the Randox Grand National is building after we had the weights revealed this afternoon in Liverpool.
“Iroko’s weight was undoubtedly the one we wanted to see first, as we’ve built a sizable liability on him. Experience of the National fences can prove the difference at Aintree and punters have not stopped backing him into 6/1.
“As always with the Grand National weights announcement, there are a host of movers in the betting. Stellar Story is one we want to keep onside and we’ve halved his price to 25/1 from 50s. He has a good amount of back-class as a Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner, and if the going got testing, we think he’d have every chance off 10st 11lbs.
“We’ve also shortened Resplendent Grey and Jordans, as we believe they have significant upside off their weights. On the other hand, Haiti Couleurs is one we think has been mullered by the handicapper for his win in the William Hill Denman Chase. His 7lb rise looks lofty, but Rebecca Curtis’ charge has the Cheltenham Gold Cup to contest first.
“There are host of storylines in this year’s race, and none more lucrative than Twig. He was an all-heart winner of the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase in December, and is one we’ll be keeping a firm eye on should he get a run.
“Connections will be in line for the William Hill Half A Mill £500,000 bonus should he come home in front in the big one on April 11th, and if he’s in contention at the elbow, we’ll have to watch the race from behind the sofa!”
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
