Jim's Betting Blog

For anybody who is considering making any Grand National bets, it is always worth knowing what the key trends amongst the winning runners at horse racing’s biggest event have been.

There is plenty to be on the lookout for in a potential winner, such as age, handicap rating, weight, recent form and experience over a distance of four miles. Although zeroing in on one particular winner from a field of forty entrants is always going to be an exceptionally difficult task (after all, the is always the chance that a 100/1 outsider could pull off the impossible), it has been widely acknowledged that there is a certain ‘type’ of horse that is more likely to emerge victorious than any other. The ideal Grand National winner is more than likely to be between 8 and 12 years old, have a handicap rating above 135 on the day, with a weight of 11 stone five pounds or less and have won (or at least placed) in a previous event with a distance of over three miles. Other possible characteristics to be on the lookout for include whether or not the runner has suffered a fall in any of its races leading up to the Grand National, as this could serve hamper it (both in terms of confidence and underlying injuries). The odds on the horses at sites such as Ladbrokes are also always a good indicator.

The 2011 Grand National is primed to be one of the most exciting in recent memory; there are plenty of formidable runners making up the field, many of which stand more than a fair chance of going home with a victory. Once such runner to be on the lookout for it The Midnight Club; he is a Willie Mullins trained horse, meaning he should be given special attention. Although he has yet to prove himself fully, many punters will be looking to back this top performer. Meringo, winner of the 2010 Scottish National, is another horse with the chance to do something special at this year’s Aintree Grand National; he has had a promising season so far, and has the added advantage of possessing superb form on whatever type of ground is presented to him…

When it comes to Grand national betting, there can appear to be a bewildering amount of choice and complexity in choosing a runner to back, not to mention the actual act of placing the bet itself; this can be incredibly off-putting to many newcomers to the Grand National. Those who are keen to place a bet on a horse can quickly become perplexed by the sheer amount of options available (as well as the lingo and confusing terms that can be found when discussing horse racing in general).

Fortunately, this does not have to be the case at all; there are many quick and easy ways to place a bet on the Grand National, even for those that have never done so before in their lives. The good news extends even further than that: there are even a multitude of bargains, bonuses and free bets to be taken advantage for – this means that there has never been a better time than now to get over those Grand National hang-ups and get backing your favourite runners!

So, once you have chosen your ideal horse (there are a myriad of ways to do this, from doing a spot of research on the horse on the field to picking your favourite colour or name!), the most popular way of placing a bet is to do so online, with one of the many online bookmakers and sportbooks available. All you need is five minutes to spare in order to create your account and a suitable credit or debit card. It’s that easy.

There are many different bookmakers available on the internet who are vying for your custom; the best stance to take is to check which of these different bookmakers will provide you with the best offers and bonuses – there are plenty to be had, as well as various betting comparison websites who can point you in the right direction, giving you the best value for money and a superb first Grand national betting experience.

Thousands of Irish punters flood into Cheltenham for Festival Week adding to the colour and atmosphere of the spectacle – and this year’s Centenary will prove no different.

But it’s not just in the stands and tattersalls that you’ll find the lads and lasses spinning the Blarney as a good number of the trainers, jockeys, owners and horses all come over from the Emerald Isle for the craic. It’s reputed that over 200,000 pints of Guinness are sunk in the build-up to the opening race alone. That’s a lot of the black stuff – and it continues to flow freely all week.

Day Two at Cheltenham is the Wednesday and that sees the Coral Cup race for horses aged 5 and upwards. Betting is always heavy on the race as it is the first big handicap hurdles run at the meeting.

The wise will make their selections from sites such as cheltenhambetting.org as only one favourite has been successful in recent years, with some big odds horses romping home.

Xenophon’s 4-1 favourite win was the shortest odds winner of the Coral Cup in recent years. Spirit River won at 14/1 last year and Ninetieth Minute came in at the same odds the year before. In 2003, Idole First won the Coral Cup at 33-1 and What’s Up Boys took the honours at the same long price in 2000.

The Irish stables will always look to make an impression in the racing at Cheltenham and it’s worth looking for a horse that is looking for a step up and relishes good-going ground.

The Coral Cup is run over two miles and five furlongs with a prize fund of £75,000 and six of the last eight winners had won on their last run out. But it is a real tough one to assess and you could be better looking at the shamrock dribbled into the head of your pint, taking a mouthful and a punt.

For that is what the Festival is all about – having fun, enjoying a flutter, watching the ladies in their hats and sinking the odd pint. If you can pick up the odd winner along the way, then all the better.

 The betting world is thrilling and exciting, with an abundance of opportunities to take advantage of. Gambling and betting online has really taken off in the last couple of years, and is still becoming increasingly popular. Many people enjoy the convenience, and edge that online betting can offer. With safe and secure sites, you can enjoy the thrill of a bet, without the concerns. Every type of game is available online, whether you’re looking for sports bets, or just bingo. Play and bet with confidence, knowing your source is trusted and legitimate. 

Many people who have always been intrigued by the world of betting, have found that it’s easy to try it out online. Long time sports fans, or poker enthusiasts rely on their online resources here to enjoy the experience of betting. You can try out any number of gambling or casino games for free online, and you can conduct safe fund transfers when you’re ready to place a live bet. Enjoy the perks and benefits of choosing a popular website, and get the most out of the betting experience. Trial games, statistics, and other resources are widely available, and easy to find online. Enjoy betting and gambling in the convenience of your own home.