Grand National 2015: TV Schedule, Sweepstake Info, Odds, Contenders and More
The Grand National is revered as the world’s greatest steeplechase and anticipation is growing ahead of the latest edition of the annual Aintree showpiece.
A field of 40 horses and their accompanying jockeys will vie for the most coveted victory in the sport on Saturday, each looking to conquer 30 fences that test endurance and heart like no other course. It’s a race that always churns out storylines and has long been notorious for springing a shock victor.
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Here’s a look at the key factors to consider ahead of this year’s race, all the information you need on where to catch the action from Aintree and some of the prime contenders to etch their name into horse racing immortality with a triumph in the most prestigious steeplechase of them all.
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 4:15 p.m. (BST), 11:15 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Channel 4 (UK)
| Shutthefrontdoor | 7/1 |
| Rocky Creek | 9/1 |
| Balthazar King | 10/1 |
| The Druids Nephew | 12/1 |
| Cause Of Causes | 18/1 |
| Alvarado | 18/1 |
| Soll | 20/1 |
| Godsmejudge | 20/1 |
| Spring Heeled | 20/1 |
| Pineau De Re | 20/1 |
Odds accurate as of 2 p.m. (BST), April 8. For full odds listing click here. A selection of best bets are discussed below:
Click here for a full sweepstake kit, courtesy of Sky Sports.
AP McCoy Searching for Glorious Aintree Farewell
The stage is set for the 19-time champion jockey. McCoy has confirmed that he will be retiring at the end of this season and as such, this looks set to be his last ever Grand National. As luck would have it, he’ll be on board race favourite Shutthefrontdoor as he bids to win this event for the second time in his distinguished career.
The pre-race favourite triumphed in last year’s Irish Grand National and with McCoy in the saddle, could be one of the shortest-priced favourites to tackle the four-mile course in recent years, per Tony Scott of the Liverpool Echo:
The money will fly in for the McCoy, Jonjo O’Neill and JP McManus combination, but the horse itself may struggle to get round in first position. Indeed, while he was impressive over the Irish National fences, Shutthefrontdoor will be making his debut in the Grand National and history tells us those horses with experience typically fare much better.
Given the pedigree of the jockey and the sentiment attached to the occasion, there will be plenty of bookmakers hoping to see McCoy out of the running come the final stages of the race, per Grand National:
Indeed, looking at tangible factors rather than sentiment, there is better value to get stuck into elsewhere. The Paul Nicholls-trained Rocky Creek is certainly an intriguing proposition after his impressive win at Kempton last time out.
The nine-year-old has proven he can get round the Aintree fences—finishing fifth in the National last year. He could have run in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Nicholls has ensured focus on the National has been unwavering.
Mick Fitzgerald, who won this race on Rough Quest in 1996, summed up Rocky Creek's chances here, per At The Races:
The Druids Nephew is another that could go close. He looked in excellent shape winning at Cheltenham last month with plenty left in the tank under the tutelage of Barry Geraghty and, as such, may fancy a step up in distance. Another to look out for is Balthazar King, who finished second behind Pineau De Re in last year’s race.
The 2014 winner hasn't quite been in the same form this time round and, despite romping home by five lengths with Leighton Aspell in the saddle 12 months ago, is well down in the market as he bids to defend his title. The horse’s trainer, Dr Richard Newland, thinks the reigning champion has been written off a little too quickly, per Chris Wright of the Liverpool Echo:
"If you asked Christopher Ward, who is Pineau De Re’s regular work rider, he’d tell you he feels exactly the same as he did this time last year.
I think he’s become the forgotten horse in the race. There are a number of horses much shorter than him in the betting that were 300 yards behind him 12 months ago.
It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if he went there and ran a big race again.
"
Here's a look at how last year's race panned out:
After some poor performances coming into the Aintree meet, it’s tough to see Pineau De Re repeating his exceptional feat—although he hardly set the world alight prior to winning the race 12 months ago. And while McCoy’s Shutthefrontdoor will likely be backed into a remarkably short price leading up to the race, a horse debuting in the National should be left well alone at such unforgiving odds.
The sensible money will be going on Rocky Creek ahead of the big race. After a strong performance last year has been backed up by a promising subsequent 12 months, this is a horse that has all the requisite tools to take victory. But, as the old adage goes, absolutely anyone can win the National.
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