We’re here to help.
And help we shall.
Trying to make your way through the field for the Grand National and picking a winner is a tough test.
You could try your luck with the 40/1 shot, or play it safe and go with the favourite.
But instead of chancing your arm, why not use some actual cold-hard facts about the Irish runners and riders from the good folk behind the Grand National Guide website, who have helped us bring to you eight simple facts to pick an Irish winner and raise the tricolour on Saturday evening.
1: Nine of the past ten previous winners, all shared the following characteristics:
* 9 to 12 years old
* handicap rating above 135 on the day
* weight of 11 stone 6lb or under
* won over at least three miles
* run in at least ten chases
* won a chase worth at least £13,000
2: The horses that match those characteristics include:
Goonyella, Saint Are, Kruzhlinn, Triolo Dalene, Rocky Creek.
3: If you want to back Irish, Jono O’Neill could be your man.
His most recent winner was Don’t Push It in 2010, and since 2003, he has one win, and eight other horses in the top five places.
4: His horses know how to get around the track.
Twelve O’Neill horses have completed the course from 28 runners.
5: Willie Mullins’s Grand national record is disappointing.
Willie has just one Grand National winner to his name in the form of Hedgehunter in 2005. He secured third in 2008 with Snowy Morning, but since 2000, he has one win and two other placed horses. Like O’Neill, his mounts usually make it around in one piece – 13 of the 28 Mullins runners have come home safely.
6: Paul Moloney is an expert at the Grand National.
The Irish jockey is simply unmatched when it comes to guiding horse round the Liverpool track. Since 2009, he has finished in the places in seven consecutive Grand Nationals. He rides Buywise now that Alvarado failed to make the cut.
7: Ireland is due a win.
There hasn’t been an Irish winner of the Grand National since Gordon Elliott’s Silver Birch back in 2007. Could we be backing green this year?
