Grand National markets rocked as punters pile into two ‘mud-loving’ British outsiders

THE Grand National markets have seen another significant shift – with punters piling into two British outsiders as bookies predict an epic ‘stamina test’.

The wet forecast for Aintree is doing little to dampen punters’ spirits as they hunt a big-price winner in the £1million race run on Saturday week.

Times Newspapers LtdWill we see a muddy Grand National like Red Marauder’s win in 2001?[/caption]

Defending champion Corach Rambler had been backed off the boards on the back of his low weight and promising third-place finish in Cheltenham’s Gold Cup.

While Willie Mullins’ former Irish National hero I Am Maximus has also attracted strong support.

But with soft ground a concern for Corach Rambler, shrewd bettors have now turned to two other British runners who were previously overlooked in the markets.

William Hill reported significant cash for Gary Moore’s awesome Welsh National winner Nassalam.

And they were also forced to cut Dan Skelton’s superstar chaser mare Galia Des Liteaux given her proven success on heavy going.

Nassalam has been slashed from 40-1 into 25-1 while Skelton’s Grade 2 winner is into as short as 25-1 having been available at much bigger.

As it stands, both are guaranteed a run, with Galia Des Liteaux currently no 34 on the list.

Only 34 runners will take part this year as the number of entrants was slashed from 40 amid concerns over safety.

Bookies also saw money for Willie Mullins’ Mr Incredible after his recent staying-on second in the stamina-sapping Midlands National.

While Irish trainer Sam Curling’s Angels Dawn was also cut to 33s from 50-1.

Bookies are bracing themselves for an onslaught of further bets on horses with proven form on sloppy ground, as they go 1-3 for the National to be run on soft.

And they’re not ruling out the Grade 3 being run on heavy for the first time since 2018, making its chances just 2-1.

It was good to soft when Corach Rambler won last year, but a repeat of that is 14-1.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The rain keeps falling and that means we’re odds-on at 1-3 that the Grand National will be run on genuinely soft ground.

“The National is sure to be even more of a stamina test this year, and we’re 2-1 that the ground is heavy for the first time since 2018, while any mention of good being in the ground is available to back at much bigger prices.

“Punters are certainly latching onto horses with a proven record of going well in testing conditions.

“We’ve seen significant interest in Mr Incredible, Angels Dawn, Nassalam and Galia Des Liteaux in particular.”

William Hill Grand National odds

Corach Rambler 7-2
I Am Maximus 8-1
Vanillier 9-1
Panda Boy 12-1
Meetingofthewaters 14-1
Kitty’s Light 14-1
Mr Incredible 16-1
Noble Yeats 16-1
Mahler Mission 16-1
Minella Indo 20-1
Delta Work 20-1
Nassalam 25-1
Chemical Energy 25-1
Limerick Lace 25-1
Latenightpass 25-1
Galvin 25-1
Shakem Up’Arry 33-1
Angels Dawn 33-1
Bar 40-1