Blaklion a Worthy Grand National Favourite

"Aintree Grandstand" by Paul (CC BY-SA 2.0)

As we draw closer to the biggest national hunt race on the UK racing calendar, the Grand National, the favourite and most likely winner of the race appears to be Blaklion. After finishing 4^th in the race last season, he needs to improve if he is to win the 2018 renewal but, so far, he has gone from strength to strength this season, and looks to be a horse on the rise.

Oddschecker have Blaklion as 10/1 favourite on their website but he can be found at a shorter price. Based on what he has shown so far, this price is fully justified and, assuming he makes the race in top shape, he looks sure to be sent off much shorter on the day. We have seen Blaklion run twice so far and we will see him once more before the big race, although his target is yet unknown.

It was during his first run of the season that Blaklion made a huge impression, finishing 2^nd in the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. He ran a great race over a trip that is far too short for him but never gave up coming up the home straight. He followed that up with what is probably his best recent run when winning the Becher Chase at Aintree, a race that is run over the Grand National big fences, which has given him vital experience of those obstacles.

"Aintree Racecourse" by Martin Hockin (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Looking back through his form, Blaklion has already made the trip to Aintree to race four times, although, the win in the Becher Chase was his first at the course. The experience he has gained by running in that race is going to serve him very well when it comes to the big day and, should he be successful, it will be thanks to the preparation given to him by trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The Grand National will take place in April, and many horses will head to Liverpool confident of their chances. However, they may have to play second best to the hugely impressive and improving Blaklion, who comes back for his second tilt at the race. Based on what we have seen from him this season, he is a much better horse than last season. If that is the case, then, on all of his form, he looks to have a great shout of landing the big one; if he did, it would be a fully deserved success.