It's the world's most famous jumps race but picking a winner can deter even the most ardent of punters.
Betting on the Grand National couldn't be easier
It's the world's most famous jumps race but picking a winner from a 40-strong field in the Grand National can deter even the most ardent of punters.
However, with all of the different ways of having a bet on the race finding the winner of the Aintree spectacular can be financially rewarding, as well as being a sure way to impress your friends.
Yes, luck plays an enormous part each year and the history of the race is marked with tales of horses and riders snatching defeat from the jaws of seemingly-assured victory.
Do you have luck on your side?
But luck cuts both ways. Backers of ESB weren't complaining when Devon Loch slipped and ground to a halt 45 yards from the line in 1956 and nor were the inspired supporters of 100/1 chance Foinavon when almost every horse fell in front of him and handed him the race 11 years later.
Sky Bet have some weird and wonderful ways of finding the winner from the
Grand National betting, from lucky pin to late-night form study however when the tapes go up at 4.15pm and the charge to the first fence begins it doesn't really matter!
Sky Bet have created a 'Betting Made Easy' guide to help you both when it comes to choosing your horse and placing a bet.
Key pointers
1 - Look towards the lower end of the weights. The statistics don't lie, since Corbiere scored for Jenny Pitman in 1983, only Hedgehunter (2005) has carried more than 11stone to victory in the Grand National.
2 - Don't take the Irish challenge lightly. Irish raiders have won six of the last 10 Grand Nationals and several of the biggest trainers in the country have horses in mind for this prize for many months ahead of the race.
3 - Beware the French-bred bogey. Over the last two decades, roughly 20 per cent of the runners in the Grand National have been foaled in France (not necessarily trained there) but none has hit the jackpot at Aintree.
4 - Stamina, stamina, stamina. Proven winning form over at least three miles and preferably more is near enough essential. If a horse has run well in the National before, so much the better.
5 - You can't beat steeplechasing experience. Whether it is around Aintree or any other track, extensive jumping practice is vital. Novices don't win the Grand National.
For a helpful Betting Guide, including how to place a bet, a host of Grand National specials and all the latest Grand National 2009 betting odds -
click here
