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Big Fella Thanks Odds & Grand National Form
Went off at 14/1 for the 2009 Grand National but unfortunately maintained the long losing record of seven- year-olds when finishing a respectable 6th, some twenty-three lengths behind Mon Mome.
Considering you have to go back to Bogskars victory in 1940 to find the last seven-year-old that did win the National we should only look positively on the performance of Big Fella Thanks in 2009 as he looked as he if he was really going to have a say in the business end of the race when moving into contention at the fourth last. However, his exertions just took their toll and he weakened from the second last.
He was ridden in the big race by Christian Williams who had this to say afterwards:
He'll be a year older next year, and perhaps on softer ground you never know. He's only a baby and although he got a little tired over the last three he was a pleasure to ride. 'He's got a little cut on his hind leg and that may have made a slight difference, but if he improves again and comes back with a nice weight next year he could go close.'
This has to be seen as an impressive performance from a horse with such little experience and he will be at the top of many punters shortlists for 2010.
Any fears that he would be aggressively campaigned in 09/10 to increase his experience appear to have been quelled with just one run to date this season. His supporters may be glad about this as any major rise up the handicap would push him into a weight territory for the National that may prove insurmountable.
He started the season off 150 and it would appear he will end up with a weight in the National that should reflect that sort of mark and you would therefore hope he will prove extremely competitive.
Bet on Big Fella Thanks now at best odds of 18-1 with Betfair