CLOUDY OUTLOOK AT GRAND NATIONAL?
The horse racing betting highlight of the year takes place this weekend and it's Cloudy Lane that tops the Grand National betting.
Of the field of 40 for the 161st National, Donald McCain's eight-year-old looks certain to start as favourite following an impressive win in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last month and wins in the last three.
And for McCain, victory at Aintree will continue a strong family connection with the event.
His father, Ginger McCain, trained triple-champion Red Rum and 2004 winner Amberleigh House.
The expected dry weather conditions at Aintree on Saturday will ensure a good going which would suit Cloudy Lane but expect his price to drift as 4:15 on Saturday approaches.
Sporting Index is the only place to make your Grand National spread bet this weekend. With special horse racing betting markets as well as the usual horse racing betting offerings, make sure you place your spread bet today.
But betting on the favourite is a method that doesn't tend to pay-off at the National. Since 1983, only three favourites have followed the bookmaker's prediction and been first past the post, Hedgehunter in 2005, Earth Summit in 1998 and Rough Quest in 1996.
Bewleys Berry is attracting some attention from punters and makes a tempting place bet, having run well in the event last year before falling on jump 22 - the notorious Becher's Brook.
Howard Johnson's has a decent record at the Liverpool course, discounting last year's National he has finished second on his last two outings at the venue , the latest being a one-length defeat to Mr Pointment.
Elsewhere, King John's Castle could make a good place tip, having won his last outing and coming second in the three prior whilst Mr Pointment, Simon, McKelvey (who came second in last year's National by just � of a length), Vodka Bleu and D'Argent all names mentioned in various tipsters columns in this morning's papers. Hedgehunter will naturally attract some interest from online betting fans, as well as the "once a year" punters having won the event previously in 2004.
In truth, the National is always difficult to pick and it is little wonder than it captures the public's imagination more than any other horse racing event. The punters never fail to come out in force on National weekend and with some fantastic specials on offer at Sporting Index, as well as usual spread betting markets, you could make this year's event even more memorable!
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