TimeformBlog

Timeform Radio's Rory Delargy picks through the National odds to name his best bets for Saturday's race . . .

The National Winner - Big Fella Thanks has been called a non-stayer after finishing sixth and fourth in last two Nationals, but he's only now reaching full maturity and stamina is not the fixed bar that some believe. Jockey Graham Lee has a decent record, and he looks a huge player.

A Lively Long Shot - Calgary Bay is an enigma, but one with abundant class and who has never fallen. Will either love this or drop the lot early, but is definitely too big at 50.0.

A Horse to Place - State of Play has made the frame in the last two renewals, and Evan Williams has always had the bold plan to come here without a run with this best-fresh type. He's lightly raced for an 11-y-o, and should be as good as ever come the big day.

A Poor Favourite - Don't Push It. The very fact that Tony McCoy will be aboard last year's winner is bound to mean he goes off short for a repeat bid, but he's lumbered with top weight in this year's race and that alone makes his task virtually impossible - he's no Red Rum, after all, is he?

A Place Lay - Ballabriggs. His best performance over fences came when winning the Fulke Walwyn/Kim Muir last year, but that is essentially a second division contest and he was all out over the 25f trip there - he simply won't get home in this company.

For more Grand National articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/grand-national/