Punters are backing Rachael Blackmore to land the Grand National double aboard Minella Times.
The top jockey's fans have got behind the reigning Aintree duo on the eve of the big race. Despite the stats being against the top weight following up, the money has flooded in for the Henry de Bromhead-trained chaser. The odds bookmakers are offering for Minella Times have shortened by several points in the past 24 hours.
At William Hill, the nine-year-old is 8-1 joint favourite with Snow Leopardess, who bids to become the first mare to scoop the pot since 1951.
William Hill spokesperson, Tony Kenny said: “The build-up to the Grand National this week was all about Snow Leopardess, but the tide has turned and punters are now rushing to back last year’s champion Minella Times. Last year’s winner has been really well-backed in the last 24 hours or so and is now the 8/1 joint-favourite alongside Snow Leopardess as punters latch on to Rachael Blackmore once more.
"Given Blackmore’s popularity it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Minella Times went off a clear favourite come post time tomorrow.”
The pair made the headlines 12 months ago, when Blackmore was the first female jockey to win the race. Minella Times relished the jumping test of the spruce fences and went on to defeat his stablemate Balko Des Flos by six-and-a-half lengths.
But this year the popular runner appears to have a stiff task. He has raced only twice since and not completed the course in either run. Last seen on the racecourse at Leopardstown in February, he weakened out of contention and Blackmore pulled him up before the final fence.
De Bromhead has given positive updates about the JP McManus-owned gelding since however.
“We think he loved it last year and we’re very hopeful that Aintree will reignite him again," he said. "Obviously, he has been disappointing, but he did love it there last year and we really think he’s really coming back to himself finally and we couldn’t be happier with him."
This year Minella Times will also be saddled with top weight, a feat last achieved by the great Red Rum in 1974. With three Nationals on his record, the Aintree legend is the best known winner, while Tiger Roll won back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.
History indicates jockey has a better chance of taking consecutive renewals if they don't ride the previous year's winner. Leighton Aspell came home in front on Pineau de Re in 2014 and a year later, scored on Many Clouds.
National heroes often come back and put in a decent run without scooping the trophy and those in that category, in the last 20 years, include Don't Push It and Hedgehunter. It would be quite an achievement if the race worked out quite so well for Minella Times this year, plus he has to give plenty of weight to some interesting contenders, like the well-handicapped Eclair Surf.
Mathematicians also believe Blackmore has a tough task to repeat her historic moment, considering other key trend s. Nigel Birrell, from Lottoland, said punters may do better supporting William Hill's other joint favourite at the current odds, Snow Leopardess.
“She’s the favourite - she’s grey, she’s a mare, she’s won her last three races, her age is good at 10, weight is close to the optimum at 10 stone 9 pounds, and she’s wearing the lucky colour blue," he added.
