by NiftyNeil » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:20 am
For what it's worth, here's Nifty's unofficial guide to picking a Grand National winner:
It's basically a process of elimination based on previous winners and statistics.
In the last 20 Grand Nationals, only 3 winners have been at odds of over 30-1 so eliminate these horses.
This leaves a field of 17 consisiting of:
Cloudy Lane; Comply or Die; Simon; Slim Pickings; Bewleys Bay; Chelsea Harbour; Butlers Cabin; King Johns Cabin; Snowy Morning; Hedgehunter; Mr Pointment; Dun Doire; D'Argent; McKelvey; Mon Mome; Philsons Run; Point Barrow.
In the last 20 years, only 2 horses have won carrying over 11 stone, so eliminate these.
This should leave a field of 9:
Cloudy Lane; Comply or Die; King Johns Castle, Bewley's Berry; Dun Doire; D'Argent; Mon Mome; Philsons Run; Point Barrow.
While only three favourites have won the National in the last 20 years, it could be a wise move to eliminate Cloudy Bay from the reckoning leaving a field of 8 horses to choose from.
This is the system I have used for a number of years and it usually serves me well, although Hedgehunter and Silver Birch have caught me out recently.
From that final pool of runners, I'm tending towards Comply of Die, Bewleys Bay, King Johns Castle and maybe D'Argent.
Since I have already have Comply or Die in a sweep, my pick of the day will be King Johns Castle - especially with the race being in Liverpool and King John being synonymus with the City's birth. Saying that, only two grey horses have ever won the Grand National.
Good luck everybody.
