Grand National tips for April 2018: Factors to consider

The Grand National starts on Thursday April 12^th. The first two days are always the appetizer as the main event doesn't run until the final day of the three-day festival. There are currently 90 horses in contention for the final cut at this year's Grand National. Forty will make the final field, but only one horse will win the glory of the Grand National.

In 179 years, the Grand National has been won by five horses who started at odds of 100/1. Most recently in 2009, Mon Mome won the Grand National after starting with outsider odds. There is a chance another outsider could finish the Grand National inside the winner's enclosure. Let's look at a few Grand National tips for April 2018.

Grand National tips for April 2018

Definitly Red has turned a lot of heads leading up to the Grand National. The horse was one of the favourites at Aintree in 2017 but couldn't replicate his past form. The favourite tag was placed on Definitly Red after winning three races prior to Aintree. This year, Definitly Red hasn't received the same reaction from punters and bookmakers, which is why this Brian Ellison trained horse is a great bet.

Blaklion is the odds favourite going into the race. It is difficult not to include the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained horse on any Grand National tip list. After a fourth-place finisher in 2017, more is expected of Blaklion in this year's race. Can he fulfil his favourite's tag? Will have to wait and see when the Grand National runs on April 14^th.

Difference making betting tips

One of the best reasons to back either Definitly Red or Blaklion is experience. Both horses have run at Aintree previously. According to horse racing experts and trainers, horses that have familiarity with the track tend to do better on Grand National Day. Perhaps familiarity over form is what punters should pay attention to most on race day.

Another factor that could lead to one of these two horses coming first is weight. Due to the distance of the course - four miles - and the stamina needed to jump 30 fences, heavier horses don't do quite as well. Aintree experts see a horse's weight as the defining factor in the race for the championship. Regardless if a punter backs Definitly Red or Blaklion, they should take the horse's weight into account before placing a wager.

Experience and age are also contributing factors in performance in the Grand National. Older horses are considered to be the more likely to navigate the hurdles at Aintree. Horses believed to be at the perfect age also know how to pace themselves when it comes to the distance and jumps they must perform. It isn't as simple as going out to the track and sprinting around the course. Horses must make 30 fence jumps and sprint the straightaways in between. Experts note that horse considered older than the optimal age typically perform below par.