Aintree The Grand National 2011

The tape goes up in the world's greatest steeplechase on Saturday 9th April 2011 in the Grand National Chase at the Aintree Racecourse, with more prize money on offer than ever before. The Grand National is the most avidly followed and watched horse race in the British Isles, never failing in its quest to provide the spectacular, the heroics and the misfortunes of the race. It is also the single biggest betting event in sport and this year will be no exception when the forty Grand National runners with their jockeys go to post.

Latest Grand National Meeting Betting News

There was a big move in the betting for the 2011 Grand National on Friday as last year's winner Don't Push leapt to the head of the betting following a raft of support in the market. Long time ante-post favourite The Midnight Club is weak in the market drifting out to around 10/1, whilst What A Friend, Oscar Time and Backstage are also solid 12/1 third favourites.

Further down the betting, money has come for Arbor Supreme who has been backed into 14/1 with Victor Chandler from 20's and is generally available at 18/1. Silver By Nature and Big Fella Thanks are the big drifters as the ground quickens up on the Aintree course.

The 2011 Aintree Festival got underway on Thursday with a fantastic card including six graded races. The ground was good to soft for the start of the meeting, with the forecast set fair for the next few days.

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Aintree The Grand National 2011

Big Buck's and Grands Crus renewed their rivalry in the Liverpool Hurdle, with the three time World Hurdler winner winning with immaculate ease at odds of 4/6. The unbeaten Zarkandar continued his great run in the Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle, landing the race from Kumbeshwar as 4/6 favourite.

Denman was the beaten favourite denying messers Nicholls and Walsh a three-timer in the Toteport Bowl, as the Tom George trained second favourite Nacarat took first prize.

Friday's highlight was the Melling Chase, where Master Minded jumped back to form winning the Grade 1 at odds of 11/2, finishing ahead of Albertas Run in second and Somersby in third.