Betfair: Exotic Dancer Timeform Top-Rated For Grand National

But unexposed Far From Trouble already a big danger on the book

ASSESSING the Grand National weights, Timeform rate Exotic Dancer 3lb clear of the current Aintree field – but there are a whole host of credible contenders within 7lb of the Gold Cup third favourite.

The recent 18-length winner of the Letherby and Christopher is currently a 37-1 chance on Betfair to win the John Smith’s Grand National, having been matched at 259-1.  But he would have an outstanding chance at the weights were he allowed to take his chance.

Far From Trouble, second top-rated by Timeform and arguably the horse in the field open to most improvement, and last year’s winner Numbersixvalverde, are the 14-1 joint favourites on the exchange.

As an overview, the ratings organisation believe the better-class horses have been given every chance of excelling, the majority of the Irish runners less so – with the French seemingly dealt a poor hand, as evidenced by the likes of Louping D’Ainay on 11st 9lb.

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman explained:

“The way the weights have been framed, the majority of the best-treated runners are toward the top of the weights, as has been the case in recent seasons. Exotic Dancer is top-rated on our figures.

“Far From Trouble is next in on 174p and is the only horse in the race we rate as being open to improvement, so therefore looks to be amongst the most interesting. Hedgehunter has the same rating minus the p and must always be respected over these fences.

“Elsewhere the talented but fragile Eurotrek, Royal Auclair, L'Ami, Ossmoses and Turpin Green appeal as being amongst the better handicapped runners along with last year's winner Numbersixvalverde.

“Barring the exceptions mentioned above the Irish runners do not appear to be particularly well treated in general, though we would assess them as having a much better chance than those assessed on French form, the possible exception being the recent recruit to the Pipe stable, Little Brick. Louping D'Ainay and Nirvana Du Bourg appear to face extremely stiff tasks as does the latter's stablemate Crozan.

“If I was looking to back a couple of runners at this stage I would recommend the Galway Plate winner Far From Trouble, who showed his wellbeing with an authoritative win over timber at Down Royal last time and was arguably going best when falling in the Irish National last season. He is trading at 14-1 on Betfair.

“If there is plenty of rain leading up to the race then thorough stayer Ossmoses could prove to be overpriced at around the 33-1 mark. He has had a light campaign thus far and is well-treated on the form he showed when second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last March.”

Timeform top-rated

Exotic Dancer 177+
Far from Trouble 174p
Hedgehunter 174
Idle Talk 174
Ossmoses 173
Eurotrek 173+
Turpin Green 172+
L’Ami 172
Monkerhostin 172
Royal Auclair 172
Ollie Magern 172?