After you have picked your win and each way bets, take a look at these Grand National specials for a further interest in the race.
Number of Finishers
The most popular Grand National novelty bet is to back how many horses will finish the race. This way you can cheer every horse as they jump each fence! The ground is key to the number of Grand National finishers as the chart below shows.
YEAR
GOING
RUNNERS
FINISHERS
% FINISHED
2007
Good
40
12
30%
2006
Good/Soft
40
9
23%
2005
Good/Soft
40
21
53%
2004
Good
39
11
28%
2003
Good
40
14
35%
2002
Good
40
11
28%
2001
Heavy
40
4
10%
2000
Good/Firm
40
17
43%
1999
Good
32
18
56%
1998
Heavy
37
6
16%
1997
Good
36
17
47%
The highest number of finishers was was 23 in 1984 and the lowest number was 2 in 1928
The going is key to the number of finishers with vast differences between heavy (10% and 16% of runners finished) and good (37% average from 6 races).
With 40 runners likely to make the start this year and the going likely to be good or good to soft, a figure of around 11-15 finishers looks most probable.
We suggest you back 11-15 finishers (inclusive) at 9/4 with SkyBet
First Fence Fallers
A bet which will be all over after the first fence - lets hope its not your horse that falls!
The fast pace the runners travel to the first fence often results in fallers In each of the last ten years at least one horse has fallen at the first fence
1998, 2000 and 2006 saw five fallers and 2002 saw nine fallers.
Dont accept the bookies bets about their being no first fence fallers!
We suggest you back 3 first fence fallers at 4/1 with SkyBet
The Winning Distance
At least with this bet you are guaranteed an interest right until the end of the race! Winning distances have varied greatly over the last ten years with the average being around 10 lengths. Its a good idea to pay attention to the going with this novelty market as well.
The two heavy going races produced winning distances of 25 and 11 lengths.
Good/Soft goings have resulted in 14 and 6 lenghth winning margins.
Good/Firm and Good goings have produced wining distances of three lengths and under on three occassions.
YEAR
GOING
WINNING MARGIN
2007
Good
0.75
2006
Good/Soft
6
2005
Good/Soft
14
2004
Good
3
2003
Good
12
2002
Good
1.75
2001
Heavy
25
2000
Good/Firm
1.25
1999
Good
10
1998
Heavy
11
1997
Good
25
With the going likely to be on the soft side of good we suggest you go for a good winning margin of 5 lengths or more.
Fun Bets
