17.02.12 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

The Winner of the 2012 Grand National is ...

This week has seen the competition for the John Smith’s Grand National title heat up with the announcement of the official weights for the 2012 race, which will take place on Saturday 14th April at Aintree Racecourse.

Millions are spent betting on the famous steeplechase, with many having an annual punt - selected simply by their likeability of a horse’s name or the colours of their jockey’s silks. This year’s betting could be made easier through a set of unusual trends, based on previous Grand National winners, which have recently been brought to light.

Bookmakers have topped Junior, Ballabriggs and Synchronised as the favourites for this year’s record £975,000 prize fund, but based on the unique trends of past winners, Hold On Julio could be the true contender for the 2012 prize.
 
Trends that identify Hold on Julio as the potential 2012 winner of the Grand National include:
 
• The Luck of the Irish - many Grand National winners have had the luck of the Irish with all bar one of the last 10 winners bred in Ireland and nine out of 10 ridden by Irish jockeys. This year’s prediction, Hold on Julio, was bred in Ireland.
 
• It's in the name – half of Grand National champions over the last ten years have had an 11 letter name, including last year's winner Ballabriggs.
 
• Winning stamina – Horses who have previously won over at least 3 miles will be in with a chance of winning the Grand National. Last year’s winner Ballabriggs confirmed his stamina by previously winning chases over three miles or further, including a prestigious handicap in the Kim Muir Challenge at the Cheltenham Festival.
 
• Aged 10 - The peak for a staying chaser is thought to be around nine to 10 years old. Grand National trends back this up with 10 of the last thirteen winners being aged nine or ten. Hold on Julio fits well into this trend, being 9 this year.
 
• Carrying weight of 10 stone 8lbs – Winners from over the last ten years averaged at around 10 stone 8lbs, with those over 11 stone 5 lbs least successful. Red Rum was the only horse to win over this weight at 11 stone 8 lbs and this year’s predicted contender Hold on Julio will carry just under, at 10 stone 7 lbs.
 
Emma Owen, Marketing and PR manager at Aintree Racecourse, comments: "Many people enjoy having an annual punt on the Grand National and we've found choosing a front runner can be made easier, just by following some simple trends found through winners of the past 10 races. We’re excited to see if Hold on Julio still proves the trends to be true come April.”

The 2012 John Smith's Grand National takes place on Saturday 14th April at Aintree Racecourse.  Tickets and hospitality for all three days of the meeting are still available from £20.  Visit www.aintree.co.uk for further information.