09.04.11 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Market Movers

Bookmakers report a broad spread of business on the John Smith’s Grand National this morning although it looks almost certain that last year’s winner Don’t Push It will start favourite after a build-up of support for Tony McCoy’s mount this morning.

Coral have cut the top-weight from 10/1 to 8/1 although Ladbrokes have held their prices.  David Williams, spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: “We were always determined on Grand National day to give once-a-year punters as much chance as possible to hold on to our advertised prices. We’re still going 10/1 the field and it’s the best spread of business we’ve seen on National day for many years. The two whose prices are under threat are Big Fella Thanks, at 20/1, and Can’t Buy Time at 100/1.”

Stan James have already pruned Big Fella Thanks from 20/1 to 14/1 and cut State Of Play from 33/1 to 25/1.

Pricewise’s selection, Quinz, is 12/1 with 16/1 with SkyBet, and 14/1 from 16/1 with both Coral and Skybet. Coral have trimmed Silver By Nature from 18/1 to 16/1 and he is 14/1 from 16/1 with Blue Square and 12/1 from 16/1 with Paddy Power. William Hill have held all their John Smith’s Grand National prices although Silver By Nature is their biggest loser.

Meanwhile, the 2008 winner Comply Or Die is 50/1 from 66/1 with Stan James and Character Building is 22/1 from 28/1 with Blue Square.

Away from the big race, there has been money for the following:

1.45pm JOHN SMITH’S MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE (GRADE 2)

Cue Card 3/1 from 7/2 Blue Square

Sam Winner 7/2 from 9/2 totesport, 100/30 from 9/2 SkyBet

2.15pm JOHN SMITH’S MAGHULL NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 1)

Starluck 11/2 from 6/1 totesport

2.50pm JOHN SMITH’S AINTREE HURDLE (GRADE 1)

Binocular 2/1 from 5/2 William Hill, 2/1 from 9/4 Blue Square, Coral and Paddy Power

Celestial Halo 9/1 from 10/1 Skybet

3.25pm JOHN SMITH’S HANDICAP CHASE (LISTED)

Great Endeavour 100/30 from 4/1 totesport, 7/2 from 4/1 SkyBet

Rare Bob 7/2 from 9/2 William Hill

Tarablaze 8/1 from 10/1 totesport and William Hill

5.00pm JOHN SMITH’S HANDICAP HURDLE

Ciceron 25/1 from 33/1 Blue Square

Plan A 9/2 from 11/2 totesport

Praxiteles 25/1 from 33/1 William Hill

5.35pm JOHN SMITH’S CHAMPION STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (GRADE 2)

Allure Of Illusion 5/1 from 6/1 William Hill

Tour D’Argent 16/1 from 25/1 Blue Square