Grand National weights announced
Racing enthusiasts and horse betting pundits may consider the Grand National meeting as the feature event in the Jumps calendar but nothing captures the imagination of the general public quite like the Grand National.
The annual meeting at Aintree attracts attention from across the globe and people who would never dream of having a punt in any other circumstances find them selves wandering into the local bookmakers shop with an small each way bet.
With this in mind, the announcement of the weights for the Grand National is a big deal. And with the race the only in which the BHA head of handicapping has some discretion to frame the weights.
And the result has been that last year’s winner, Don’t Push It, is due to carry 11st 10lb, which is 5lbs more than last year, and is considered to be 4lbs wrong at the weights. The same is to be carried by Neptune Collonges whilst the favourite for victory in the ante-post market, Ballabriggs, will carry 11st, which is considered 8lbs out of the weights.
Other of note include Coral Welsh National winner Synchronised (11st 6lb), Quiscover Fontaine (10st 5lb) and Arbor Supreme (10st 3lbs).
It is worth noting that no horse has won the Grand National carrying more than 11st 5lbs since Red Rum recorded his third victory in 1977 with a weight of 11st 8lb.
The final maximum field of 40 horses will be determined by the each horse’s official rating with the highest weighted taking preference.
The race might be some time away but the anticipation is building and we look forward to another superb race with some excitement.
