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5 fool-proof* ways to pick the winner of this afternoon's Aintree Grand National

*Warning: Methods advised may not be fool-proof.

PICKING THE WINNER of the Aintree Grand National is difficult at the best of times, even for the self-professed horse racing experts.

Run over nearly four-and-a-half gruelling miles with 30 fences standing between 40 horses and a first prize valued at almost £550,000, it’s easy to see why many punters would rather throw their couple of pound on the lotto numbers than on a horse.

Still the race has a special place in the sporting calendar and there are plenty of casual fans who will have a small flutter and then tune in this afternoon to see how their fancy gets on.

Rather than attempt any sort of scientific analysis — that would only end in tears — we’ve pulled together a few helpful hints that could help you pick the winner. They always seemed to work for the granny, at any rate.

1. The name

Rule number one: always back a horse with your name in it. If your name is Alan, imagine the scene in the pub tonight when Weird Al hacks up and all of your drinking buddies presume that you must have backed it: “It’s got the same name as you!”

Here are the “name” horses in this year’s field:

  • Weird Al
  • Roberto Goldback
  • Forpadytheplasterer
  • Oscar Time
  • Swing Bill
  • Rare Bob
  • Harry the Viking

2. The greys

There are people out there who love backing grey horses, particularly in the Grand National. Why? Well they’re beautiful animals and they’re easy to pick out in a crowd… but here’s the thing: a grey horse has only won on three occasions, including last year when Neptune Collonges crossed the line in front.

Here are this year’s contenders, grey fans:

  • Quel Esprit
  • Swing Bill
  • Chicago Grey
  • Tarquinius

3. The Irish

The patriots in rose-tinted glasses will always look for an Irish contender to lump on and there’s no shortage in this year’s field with 13 of the 40 horses saddled by Irish trainers. Be warned though — the last time an Irish-trained horse won was Gordon Elliott’s Silver Birch in 2007, although that did complete a run of three straight wins for the boys in green.

Here are the Irish chances this time:

  • Willie Mullins: Quel Esprit, On His Own, Quiscover Fontaine
  • Ted Walsh: Seabass, Colbert Station
  • Tom Cooper: Forpadytheplasterer
  • Paul Nolan: Joncol
  • Tom Taaffe: Treacle, Ninetieth Minute
  • Gordon Elliott: Chicago Grey, Tarquinius
  • Dessie Hughes: Rare Bob
  • Noel Glynn: Becauseicouldntsee

4. The ladies

Charlotte Brew made history back in 1977 when she became the first lady to ride in the Grand National, but no female jockey has ever won the race. The best-ever finish came last year when Katie Walsh partnered Seabass, trained by her father Ted, into an excellent third place.

Walsh is the only female jockey in this year’s field, teaming up with Seabass again. Could she make history?

  • Seabass (Katie Walsh)

5. The jockey

Some people prefer to back their favourite jockey rather than the horse underneath him — and sometimes it pays dividends. Barry Geraghty, AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh (twice) and Paul Carberry have all won the race in the past so they know what it takes to get the job done.

Or maybe it will be the turn of one of the new kids on the block like young Kerryman Bryan Cooper who rode his first Cheltenham Festival winners last month and has already been in the winner’s enclosure at Aintree this week.

  • Roberto Goldback (Barry Geraghty)
  • Colbert Station (AP McCoy)
  • On His Own (Ruby Walsh)
  • Chicago Grey (Paul Carberry)
  • Rare Bob (Bryan Cooper)

Have you any other tips for picking a winner? Who will you be backing in the Grand National today? Let us know in the comments below >

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25 Comments
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    Mute James Murphy
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    Apr 6th 2013, 9:55 AM

    Fingers crossed there are no fatalities today.

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    Mute philip farrelly
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    Apr 6th 2013, 9:48 AM

    Would be great to see Katie Walsh do the business . I m rather fond of sea bass . Nom nom.

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    Mute Tokidoll
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:00 AM

    Stick a pin in the newspaper

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    Mute Vanessa Curley
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:12 AM

    Pickin your favourite number! :D which is what i should’ve done in the irish Grand National. 24 is my number, was told don’t bother with him as odds are too high so I went with my 2nd number, 14. €5 to place. He came 2nd but the little fecker number 24 came 1st. Never again will i listen to my 16 year old brother

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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    Apr 6th 2013, 9:37 AM

    Gambling’s a mugs game,
    Good deal alright you get 1 horse the bookie gets the other 20 or whatever !!!
    No Thanks,

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Apr 6th 2013, 9:45 AM

    You’re doing it wrong

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    Mute Patrick Gormley
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:18 AM

    Fella said to me in the pub last night ” do ya want the winner of the grand national “,
    I said ” no thanks, I’ve only got a small back garden “

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    Mute Joe Murphy
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    Apr 6th 2013, 9:57 AM

    1st Always Waining @33/1
    2nd Chicago Grey @12/1
    3rd Big Fella Thanks @40/1

    :)

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    Mute Patrick Brompton
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    Apr 7th 2013, 9:38 AM

    Joe,
    I did a win bet, a forecast and a tricast on your selections. I would not be complaining if they had come in so I won’t complain that they didn’t!
    Regards
    Patrick

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    Mute Philip Wall
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:59 AM

    With Father Ted training sea bass you have a Divine chance of winning with this Lovely Horse!

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    Mute Sabine
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:50 AM

    Pick the jersey design you like best! Or my personal favourite (if using a newspaper): close your eyes, run your finger from the top to bottom of the list, stop when it feels right and that’s your horse!

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    Mute Keith Flood
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:28 AM

    @PaulDoyle You are a gimp . Glass half empty muppet ass . It’s a bit of fun , strange for you I’d say , the “fun” bit that is .

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    Mute Robert healy
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:16 AM

    Imperial commander 16/1 have him e/w

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    Mute Elma Phudd
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:27 AM

    I’m with you Robert. Definitely has the class and jumping ability.

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:06 AM

    I tipped Oiseau De Nuit on thursday folks @ 20/1 and today its Cappa Bleu @ 12/1 and I’ll a little wager e/w on Oscar Time. Good luck to everyone.

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:07 AM

    * I’ll have a little wager * by the way the 20/1 won.

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Apr 6th 2013, 6:55 PM

    Both got placed at 12/1 and 66/1. My my my.

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    Mute sean c
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:18 AM

    Nothing stopping you from having the other 20 either

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    Mute Ken Bishop
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    Apr 6th 2013, 12:09 PM

    I’m backing Roberto Goldback. The horse I picked out for the work buster and also potential porn star/Eurovision participant.

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    Mute Alan Scannell
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    Apr 6th 2013, 11:15 AM

    You sold me on weird al !

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    Mute Lou Brennan
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    Apr 6th 2013, 7:34 PM

    I’m backing Auroras Encore. I know the race is over but I reckon he’s a great each way bet. Unfortunately they are not letting me place a bet on line now for some reason which is really annoying .

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    Mute Simon Mcdonagh
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:57 AM

    Unimportant, don’t read it!!!!

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    Mute Charles J. Ahern
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    Apr 6th 2013, 2:21 PM

    I’m making Tarquinius my lock of the week.

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    Mute GooseSkipGoose
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:39 AM

    What a waste of time that article is. Good god go and write about something important

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    Mute Rory Mac Clancy
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    Apr 6th 2013, 10:44 AM

    Colbert station to win, Roberto Goldback e/w

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