Punters are sticking with what they know ahead of the 2024 Grand National.
That's according to bet365 horse racing and greyhounds expert Pat Cooney, who reports strong support in the market for last year's winner Corach Rambler. The Lucinda Russell-trained star, who justified favouritism to win 12 months ago, is back near the top of the market this time around after a sterling run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.
It is perhaps no surprise, then, that the 10-year-old is proving friendly with punters, who are also latching on to last year's runner-up, Vanillier. Little separates the pair in the market, with Corach Rambler at 8/1 and Vanillier at 12/1 with bet365.
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Cooney told us: "26 of the 34 runners are trained in Ireland, so it’s not surprising that punters who aren't that familiar with so many of the contenders are sticking with horses that ran well in the race last year.
"Currently the most popular selections here at bet365 are last years winner Corach Rambler, then the runner up 12 months ago Vanillier and, next, 4th home last year and winner of this in 2022, Noble Yeats."
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Of those at a bigger price, Latenightpass is also expected to be a big favourite among punters. Trained by Tom Ellis, the Aintree regular will be ridden by his wife, Gina Andrews, as they bid to become the first husband and wife team to win the National.
Cooney continued: "Of the more speculative entries, Latenightpass will have his supporters as he’ll be ridden by the amateur Miss Gina Andrews. He’s not without hope either as the pair combined to win a race over the Grand National fences in 2022."
"Perhaps the most popular winner would be Kittys Light, who won both the Scottish Grand National and bet365 Gold Cup last season. He’s trained by Christian Williams, whose daughter is making good progress from treatment for Leukaemia and it would be a heart-warming success in what would be the first Welsh trained winner since 1905."
Elsewhere, Cooney likes the look of Panda Boy, who has had his supporters over the last few days. The eight-year-old finished fifth in the 2023 Irish Grand National and has made excellent late work the last twice over staying trips.
"Personal preference is for Panda Boy whose trainer Martin Brassil won this in 2006, but the race remains as difficult to solve as ever," Cooney concluded.
