The Grand National has typically thrown up a number of big-priced winners over the last couple of decades, and with 40 competitors taking to the Aintree turf, the race is always likely to produce a few shocks.
The course provides a real test of stamina for these hardy chasers, and with plenty of rain forecast throughout March, the 2019 staging of the race could be held on soft ground once again. We take a look at three outsiders, who could potentially upset the odds and reward each-way backers in April’s iconic steeplechase.
Grand National 2019: Former champ One For Arthur heading straight to Aintree https://t.co/KdCF0VM6Ek pic.twitter.com/LoA1TaBsTt
— TODAY NEWS (@TODAY_NEWS_24) March 2, 2019
Warriors Tale
Paul Nicholls picked up his first success in the race with Neptune Collonges back in 2012, and the Somerset-based handler will be hoping that Warriors Tale can double his tally in this year’s contest. The Trevor Hemmings-owned ten-year-old was last seen finishing tenth in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury, behind stable-mate San Benedeto. Despite that below-par performance, Warriors Tale has enjoyed previous success at the Merseyside track with a victory in the 2018 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, finishing narrowly ahead of Brandon Hill.
Twelve months ago, Warriors Tale went off at a price of 33/1, but was hampered at the 15th and was subsequently pulled up by Sean Bowen. As of March 9th, he is 40/1 in the ante-post betting, and a much better showing will be expected this time around. If the Nicholls runner can stay clear of trouble, he could outrun his odds and has the potential to be involved at the business end of the 2019 Grand National.
Singlefarmpayment
It is fairly unusual for a horse to be tackling these arduous Aintree fences for the first time at nine-years-old, but Singlefarmpayment has never previously visited the Merseyside track. The Tom George runner has previously been impressive at both Ascot and Cheltenham, and is likely to be slightly underrated by the market for this trip north.
Tony Calvin of betting.betfair has flagged this runner up in his Grand National tips column following the announcement of the weights, and at around 50/1, he definitely ranks as a lively outsider.
Singlefarmpayment has won just one of his 13 chase starts, but did very little wrong when finishing second behind Cogry at the end of 2018 when finishing second in a Grade 3 Championship Chase at Prestbury Park.
WOW! What a finish at @CheltenhamRaces!
Cogry fights back to win in front of Singlefarmpayment! A great ride from @samtwiston
Cogry
Singlefarmpayment
Rolling Dylan pic.twitter.com/yuY6KP0K1z— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 14, 2018
One For Arthur
Lucinda Russell’s tough chaser was the 14/1 winner of this race back in 2017, but is likely to go off at significantly bigger odds this time around.
Unfortunately, injury prevented One for Arthur from defending his crown 12 months ago, but the ten-year-old is likely to be popular in the betting once again.
He failed to impress at Haydock during January’s Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase, and unseated jockey Derek Fox four fences from the finishing line. Despite that poor display, the Scottish trainer is likely to have her star chaser ready for this stamina-sapping assignment, and at 40/1, the 2017 winner could be worthy of consideration once again.
The 2019 Randox Health Grand National is always a hugely enjoyable spectacle, and it rarely fails to deliver on excitement and drama. A competitive field will take to the track on April 6th, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of the bigger-priced runners land the lucrative £1 million prize-pot for connections.