The Grand National Guide - part 5: some each-way bets

L'ami

After watching L'Ami get outclassed by Garde Champetre at the Cheltenham Festival in a cross-country race, I have my doubts over L'Ami. However, the handicapper obviously thought the same thing and brought this most enigmatic of contenders into a favourable weight bracket. With two (admittedly poor) National runs behind him, could it be third time lucky? Chances are slim, but it takes faith to back L'ami, despite some reasonable form prior to the 2nd behind Garde Champetre.

Kilbeggan Blade

The odds on Kilbeggan Blade have been tumbling all week - this horse can stay and stay and stay. If the National were doubled in length, Kilbeggan Blade would still be going - and he can jump, too. The main question hanging over his head is how he will be able to handle the ground at Aintree. Rain is unlikely, and it will probably be too firm. However, he's got a bit of form behind him, and the chances are that he'll get round - a very good place opportunity.

Maljimar

If stamina is Kilbeggan Blade's plus point, it's not one for Maljimar, who faded at 3 miles at Cheltenham to be beaten by the brilliant Tony McCoy on Wichita Lineman. Without a win at this distance and not having seen the Aintree fences before, it's hard to see Maljimar causing the bookmakers too much trouble.

Irish Invader

One of the more interesting outsiders, and Willie Mullins' only entry in this year's National. The question hanging over his head, once more, is stamina - can he hack it over 4 miles? We have no proof that he can - but then again, we have no proof that he can't. He's bang in form, within the weights, and is maybe just a year too young (8) to win it - but once more, an each-way bet is your best choice.

Himalayan Trail

When I saw how much Jimmy Mangan had bet on Monty's Pass to win the National several years back, I followed suit and lumped on. I haven't heard anything from his bookmaker this time round, which leads me to suspect he's not quite as confident as he was in 2003. He's won at this distance - with some style - and he has stamina to last him all day. He's seen the National fences before and the reason the bookies are keeping him around 35/1 is that he is so lightly raced and those races he has been involved in have hardly shown him to be in the best of nick. However, he fits the criteria - keep an eye on his odds, they might take a tumble.

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published: 31st March 2009 by Free Bet Bookmaker

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