Grand National - How to pick a winning horse - is it all in the name?

Ahead of one of the world’s most famous horse races, this Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, bookmaker Coral has carried out a survey of 2,000 adults which showed that over 65% of them intended to place a bet on the showpiece event.

The survey also revealed that almost half the punter – 47% - of those asked said they backed their chosen runner based on the name of the horse, a figure that rose to 76% among the housewives that responded.

Other favoured methods of finding the potential winner include the 12% who pick a horse if the name includes a favourite colour – something fans of the most famous National winner of all time, Red Rum, will be familiar with, and the 20% who use their lucky number to determine their bet, with 7, 13 and 21 being the most popular numbers.

Finally, the good news is 57% of those questioned said they had backed the winner of the National at least once in the past.

Coral’s David Stevens says :
“Grand National day remains the one day of the year when millions of people enjoy having a flutter, and our survey showed that almost two thirds of the adult population will place a bet on Saturday, ensuring more than £150 million could be riding on the big race,”.

“The form book goes out of the window, with people instead preferring a variety of methods to choose their National runner, and based on the colour in the name and lucky number principals, this year Chicago Grey and Viking Blond, and Roberto Goldback (number 7), Colbert Station (13) and Tatenen (21) are all likely to be popular.

"Seabass, third last year and the mount of Katie Walsh, looking to become the first female jockey to win the race, could also be a popular housewives’ choice,” added Stevens.

Grand National – Coral betting Odds
7 On His Own,
9 Colbert Station, Seabass,
12 Cappa Bleu,
14 Chicago Grey, Teaforthree,
16 Join Together, Sunnyhillboy,
20 Ballabriggs, Balthazar King,
25 Rare Bob,
33 Harry The Viking, Oscar Time, Quiscover Fontaine, Roberto Goldback, Soll, Treacle,
40 Across The Bay, Always Waining, Becauseicouldntsee, Big Fella Thanks, Joncol, Quel Esprit, Tarquinius,
50 Any Currency, Auroras Encore, Forpadydeplasterer, Mr Moonshine, Ninetieth Minute, Saint Are, Swing Bill, The Rainbow Hunter, Weird Al, What A Friend,
66 Lost Glory, Major Malarkey, Tatenen, Viking Blond,
100 Mumbles Head,

*Reserves
66 Pentiffic, Mortimers Cross

UPDATE : RACE RESULT :
Auroras Encore sprang a 66-1 surprise to win the 166th Grand National by nine lengths at Aintree.

Cappa Bleu (12-1) was second, Teaforthree (10-1) third and 2011 runner-up Oscar Time (66-1) fourth, ahead of Rare Bob (16-1).

17 of the 40 runners finished the race