Grand National 2018 is coming up on Saturday 14th April at Aintree, and its the biggest horse race of the year, and also a handicap, so we’ve put together our ratings on every horse which is currently entered, below, to produce some early tips.
The race will take place at 17:15 (5.15PM) on Saturday afternoon.
UPDATE – the finalised handicap is now ready, as of Thursday morning, the 40 runners and 4 reserves are confirmed… see below.
Grand National 2018 Runners, Weights and Our Ratings
The 40 runners and 4 reserves are listed below, in the order that we rate them. You can see our tips below. Reserves are coloured in orange to make it clear that they, as things stand, will not actually run. Numbers 41, 42, 43 and 44 are reserves.
The table is sorted by the order in which we rate each horse’s chances, based on the weight they will be carrying and the conditions they will meet on Saturday.
| No. | Name | Weight | Our Rating | Rating Pos | Odds |
| 18 | SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT (GB) | 151 | 138.808 | 3 | 16/1 |
| 33 | LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) | 146 | 137.04 | 4 | 50/1 |
| 19 | GAS LINE BOY (IRE) | 150 | 137.024 | 5 | 33/1 |
| 22 | UCELLO CONTI (FR) | 149 | 134.856 | 7 | 20/1 |
| 16 | CHASE THE SPUD (GB) | 151 | 131.768 | 8 | 66/1 |
| 37 | MILANSBAR (IRE) | 145 | 131.512 | 9 | 33/1 |
| 5 | VALSEUR LIDO (FR) | 160 | 131.472 | 10 | 50/1 |
| 27 | VIRGILIO (FR) | 147 | 131.176 | 11 | 100/1 |
| 20 | THE DUTCHMAN (IRE) | 150 | 131.064 | 12 | 28/1 |
| 31 | BUYWISE (IRE) | 147 | 130.696 | 13 | 50/1 |
| 34 | CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE) | 146 | 130.416 | 14 | 28/1 |
| 28 | BAIE DES ILES (FR) | 147 | 130.336 | 15 | 20/1 |
| 40 | ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) | 144 | 129.128 | 16 | 66/1 |
| 38 | FINAL NUDGE (IRE) | 145 | 128.848 | 17 | 50/1 |
| 39 | DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) | 145 | 128.336 | 18 | 100/1 |
| 8 | PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) | 156 | 128.216 | 19 | 66/1 |
| 10 | TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) | 154 | 127.896 | 20 | 125/1 |
| 2 | BLAKLION (GB) | 163 | 127.24 | 21 | 11/1 |
| 17 | WARRIORS TALE (GB) | 151 | 126.88 | 22 | 50/1 |
| DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (IRE) | 144 | 126.832 | 23 | 80/1 | |
| 9 | SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) | 155 | 126.56 | 24 | 33/1 |
| 21 | PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) | 150 | 126.488 | 25 | 33/1 |
| 30 | PENDRA (IRE) | 147 | 126.296 | 26 | 66/1 |
| 32 | CHILDRENS LIST (IRE) | 147 | 126.2 | 27 | 66/1 |
| 6 | TOTAL RECALL (IRE) | 158 | 124.744 | 29 | 10/1 |
| 25 | RAZ DE MAREE (FR) | 148 | 124.672 | 30 | 33/1 |
| THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) | 144 | 124.432 | 31 | 66/1 | |
| 35 | HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) | 146 | 123.52 | 33 | 66/1 |
| 23 | SAINT ARE (FR) | 149 | 123.008 | 34 | 66/1 |
| 36 | BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) | 145 | 122.416 | 35 | 50/1 |
| 13 | TIGER ROLL (IRE) | 152 | 122.4 | 36 | 10/1 |
| 3 | ANIBALE FLY (FR) | 161 | 122.24 | 37 | 11/1 |
| 7 | ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) | 157 | 121.68 | 38 | 40/1 |
| 4 | THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) | 161 | 121.608 | 39 | 16/1 |
| 11 | CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) | 154 | 121.544 | 40 | 50/1 |
| 26 | I JUST KNOW (IRE) | 147 | 121.064 | 41 | 25/1 |
| 15 | VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) | 152 | 119.88 | 42 | 28/1 |
| 29 | MAGGIO (FR) | 147 | 117.616 | 44 | 100/1 |
In case you wondered, the weights listed above are in lbs, because this is easier for us to store and sort in a database than stones and lbs. Because of the high number of Irish runners, we have a nice objective comparison which the handicapper does not (quite) have, as the Irish and British racing authorities each collate their own ratings.
Grand National 2018 Tips
After the Handicap was announced, our tips for the Big Race proper are the top four confirmed runners.
- SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT (GB) 16/1
- LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 50/1
- GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 33/1
- UCELLO CONTI (FR) 22/1
BEEVES (IRE) 100/1WALK IN THE MILL (FR) 100/1
Previously, we had tipped VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) antepost. Three withdrawals (so far) on Friday mean that we have removed the withdrawn BEEVES and WALK IN THE MILL now is in the race, and therefore is one of our tips once more (as had been the case antepost).
Seeyouatmidnight (GB)
This one has been backed a lot, and no surprise, as has done well at mammoth distances before, and is really nicely weighted for this year’s Grand National. Looks to have everything tee’ed up just right if arriving fit and getting a clear passage.
Lord Windermere (IRE)
Lord Windermere is trained by Jim Culloty, who rode the winner in the Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year. He trained this horse to win the Gold Cup two years ago, showing that its a high class gelding. If getting a good clear round, this one has the class to go very well indeed. Likely jockey is Andrew Lynch.
Gas Line Boy (IRE)
This fourth and final pre-handicap tip is trained by Ian Williams and has won over the National fences before, lifting the Grand Sefton Chase in December. Getting a little bit old at 12, but has a lot of class, and we think a good round at close to his best and we could see some nice returns at an antepost 33/1.
Ucello Conti (FR)
Gordon Elliott’s Ucello Conti now makes it into our top four, after the withdrawal of three of our selections which we rated higher under today’s conditions. Bearing in mind the incredible season this trainer has had, and also the week this owner and jockey (Daryl Jacob) have had – none of which are factors we actually consider in our assessment (except where this has a bearing on previous performances) – it would be no surprise if this were to go well today. Based on best performances to date, we feel this one has the class to make the frame at 22/1.
Walk In The Mill (FR) – 100/1
This Robert Walford trained gelding will be ridden by amateur Sam Waley-Cohen and is weighted to go very well, given a clear round, based on the performances we have clocked. At a price of 100/1, represents a value small each-way selection which carries a better chance than the bare odds indicate, in our view.
UPDATE – Walk in the Mill is a non runner.
Beeves (IRE)
Beeves has made it into our top four tips by virtue of neither Vintage Clouds nor Walk in the Mill making it into the race proper (yet). Jennie Candlish trains and Sean Quinlan will ride this talented gelding. Has gone well before over mega distances, jumps soundly, but would need to be right up to his best to win this one. Needs things to drop right, but at 100/1, represents a realistic each way chance.
UPDATE – Beeves has been withdrawn.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) RESERVE
Vintage Clouds has been declared fourth reserve, and will struggle to make the race, which is a shame for our antepost recommendation. This Sue Smith trained gelding has won at Aintree this season, over the mildmay course. Has yet to go beyond 4 miles, but has performed well on heavy at long trips, suggesting staying is at least not a negative. Jumps soundly enough of late, too.
UPDATE Vintage Clouds missed the cutoff to be in the race.
Grand National & Free Bet Offers
Bookies have reduced the numbers of free bet offers they provide in recent years, which is probably a good thing, as more of a focus on responsible gambling and dialling down the promo activity was becoming necessary.
It should be noted that a lot of bookmakers suspend or withdraw their free bet offers for the National. They know you are looking for them, and that most people bet once a year, on this one only.
For occasional racing fans, we like the William Hill C30 offer which is £30 of free bets for new members who deposit and bet £10 on a qualifying bet for this. What is normally a play is to place the qualifying bet on Thursday or Friday before the big race, then use the “free” bet stake for your Grand National bets… if this is possible!
See the William Hill free bet offer here.
Balloted Out / Withdrawn
The following horses will not run in the 2018 Grand National.
Non Runners
- MINNELLA ROCCO (IRE) was withdrawn on Friday 13th April.
- VICENTE (FR) was withdrawn on Friday 13th April.
- BEEVES (IRE) was withdrawn on Friday 13th April.
- VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) was selected fourth reserve but missed the cutoff point to be in the race and was therefore declared a non runner.
- WALK IN THE MILL (FR) was withdrawn on Saturday 14th April.
- REGAL ENCORE (IRE) was withdrawn on Saturday 14th April.
Balloted Out
The following horses did not make the final handicap of forty horses plus four reserves.
| Weight No. | Name | Weight | Our Rating | Rating Pos | Odds |
| 7 | GOLD PRESENT (IRE) | 157 | 120.888 | 60 | 25/1 |
| 46 | GENERAL PRINCIPLE (IRE) | 141 | 132.92 | 17 | 40/1 |
| 47 | WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) | 141 | 126.768 | 39 | 100/1 |
| 48 | SIR MANGAN (IRE) | 140 | 134.96 | 14 | 100/1 |
| 49 | MYSTEREE (IRE) | 140 | 140.096 | 7 | 100/1 |
| 50 | COGRY (GB) | 140 | 125.208 | 45 | 100/1 |
| 51 | BONNY KATE (IRE) | 140 | 130.824 | 25 | 100/1 |
| 52 | SPLASH OF GINGE | 140 | 131.04 | 24 | 50/1 |
| 53 | RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE) | 139 | 143.232 | 3 | 100/1 |
| 54 | BRAQUEUR D`OR (FR) | 139 | 133.328 | 16 | 100/1 |
| 55 | MINELLA DADDY (IRE) | 139 | 144.248 | 2 | 100/1 |
| 56 | THE YOUNG MASTER (GB) | 137 | 126.744 | 40 | 66/1 |
| 57 | ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) | 135 | 136.12 | 12 | 150/1 |
| 58 | PHIL`S MAGIC (IRE) | 135 | 128.776 | 32 | 100/1 |
| 59 | HENRI PARRY MORGAN (GB) | 135 | 140.56 | 5 | 125/1 |
| 60 | ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) | 134 | 130.472 | 27 | 66/1 |
| 61 | DANCING SHADOW (IRE) | 134 | 137.264 | 9 | 150/1 |
| 62 | OUT SAM (GB) | 132 | 131.84 | 18 | 100/1 |
| 63 | KRACKATOA KING (GB) | 131 | 141.384 | 4 | 150/1 |
Leave a comment below if you have good free bet offers – or if you’ve used one in previous years to milk money from a bookmaker!