The Grand National at Aintree is only a week away so the markets are starting to firm up. The Midnight Club is the current favourite with bookmakers offering between 8/1 and 9/1 about his chances. Favourites have had a reasonable record over the last fifteen years with five having won – before that, there had only been three favourites win in twenty five years, perhaps a sign of better technology and statistics today.

Horses that have run well in the Grand National are those that have won in the past. They rarely win a second but many have filled the placings, often at good each way odds. Don’t Push It won last year under a big weight and he will be carrying top weight this year. At 16/1, he’s certainly worth an each way bet.

State Of Play hasn’t won a Grand National, but he has performed well having finished fourth and third at his last two attempts. We know he can run the 4.5 miles and he is weighted right to win – third time lucky? Certainly worth consideration at 25/1.

Backstage could be the one to watch. He was well placed last year before coping a bump and falling at the 20th fence. He is being kept quiet leading up to the race and could be the one to surprise them all. Grand National bookmakers are keeping him safe at 12/1 and second favourite (he is in to 10/1 with some bookmakers).

The Grand National is one of those races that everyone worldwide takes a keen interest in. It ranks alongside the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Kentucky Derby, and the Melbourne Cup as crowd stoppers and big betting races. With forty horses running over 4.5 miles and thirty fences, it’s a race full of action – and often full of surprises. Who’s your tip for the Grand National 2011? We’re having an each way punt on State Of Play.