Grand National Guide part 6 - some of the outsiders

Offshore Account

Pinstickers will love this one. Party Politics won in an election year, so surely Offshore Account has a chance in a year when bankers are being hailed as the most evil thing since Hitler's Sliced Bread? 2007 was a very good year for this Irish contender, but a 15-month lay-off has only just come to an end with a decent second place on 15th March. This may come too soon - and there's no past visit to Aintree which is not a requisite, but it does help. I'd say that next year, Offshore Account could be a contender. This year - the bookies probably have it about right. A place is the best Offshore Account can surely hope for.

Brooklyn Brownie

Two grade 1 races and two poor performances will put many off Brooklyn Brownie who otherwise would have been considered a challenger. There's plenty of evidence that this 10-year-old ridden by Phil Kinsella could get round - stamina's fine, jumping's not too bad, and he went over the National fences in November. He even likes the good ground, so chances are he'll get round. But will he be good enough to be in the shake-up at the end?

Big Fella Thanks

Taken out of my original equation due to the fact that he's only seven years old. However, Big Fella Thanks does have a lot going for him. With a stable bang in form, they clearly believe that this is a National horse. Perhaps next year or the year after, but this is way too early.

Darkness

Darkness has only run three times over the last two years, and his jumping leaves a little to be desired. Those who are already backing this horse are going on raw talent - because Darkness has plenty of it. A recent win at Newbury has led many to believe this Darkness could be the Dark Horse in this year's National. However, a swallow does not a summer make.

Idle Talk

We looked at this one earlier this week as one who fits the criteria, but on further inspection, his jumping stinks. Everything else looks just about right for an outsider with an each-way shot at the National - age, weight, Aintree form (a recent fourth in November for example, over the National fences), but class does appear to be lacking, and that jumping? Naff.

published: 2nd April 2009 by Free Bet Bookmaker

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