Grand National Preview: Whinstone Boy, State of Play and Backstage

Whinstone Boy is an interesting prospect - and falls just below the minimum rating of 135 we usually consider for a National winner. At 131, however, he might just push that lower limit down. If he does make the final cut, he'll be worth a further look - he's from the stable that produced Monty's Pass.

Well within the weights, and with that win in the Thyestes Chase under his belt, his odds are going to tumble once people realise that he's got the profile. He was 50/1, and now he's 33/1 almost everywhere you look. He needs defections, but if he does get in - have a look.

State of Play is another one that we've got our collective eye on. He's lightly raced, and finished fourth last year behind Mon Mome. Stamina seemed to be an issue that day, but this year he's carrying a little less weight. So, with National pedigree behind him, he's within the weights, and he's an attractive 25/1 with most bookmakers, making him a cracking little punt, at least each way.

He may not have the quality of a Tricky Trickster or a Big Fella Thanks, but he's a former Hennessy winner, and he's well and truly in our thoughts for the 2010 Grand National.

The third of our "interesting prospects", as we're calling them, is Backstage. His trainer has protected his handicap mark, meaning that form is a question mark, and we're seriously wondering whether a French horse could win the Grand National (can lightning strike twice?). However, he stays, and he doesn't really care about the ground too much. He comes from the stable that brought us Silver Birch, and despite questions over his quality, he's primed for this race.

You can get odds of around 25/1 if you look around, and this is definitely one of the better value bets out there.

published: 28th March 2010 by Free Bet Bookmaker

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