As the calendar turns into 2022, attention in the horse racing world begins to heighten on to the upcoming Grand National at Aintree.
Whilst the National Hunt season is in full swing, there are plenty of horses and trainers that will be looking to gather momentum ahead of both the Cheltenham Festival and the season defining race in Liverpool.
The Grand National has brought the UK racing and wider sporting public to a standstill for generations, with the 4 mile trip at Aintree often prescribed as the ultimate test for staying horses, jockeys, and trainers alike.
With fans expected to be back and filling the terraces once more in 2022, it should be a historic festival of racing from 7-9th April and the atmosphere at Aintree promises to be electric.
Here are some of the key runners and riders in the ante-post market for the 2022 Grand National:
Fresh off a festive win at Leopardstown, Galvin is the early season front-runner to clinch the 2022 Grand National.
Having edged out the well backed A Plus Tard over three miles, the Gordon Elliott trained 8 year old looks to have all the credentials to pick up a maiden Grand National triumph and it looks a shrewd bet at odds 16/1 in the ante-post market, reported Horse.Bet, the horse racing betting analysts.
With a third place finish at the Grand National in 2021 in the tank, Any Second Now is a very capable horse, in what seems to be an open field at Aintree this year.
J P McManus prides himself on nurturing and developing some of the very best stayers around and Any Second Now looks to be a horse that enjoys the longer trip – making it a decent looking candidate at 18/1 to go all the way this year.
Irish horses tend to turn on the style at the biggest races on the calendar and Run Wild Fred looks to have captured the hearts of a nation under the stewardship of Gordon Elliott.
At 20/1, the relatively inexperienced 8 year old looks to have the makings of a serious contender here at Aintree and it could be a horse that sneaks under the betting radar.
Going back to back at the Grand National is a feat not many horses have been able to achieve but Minella Times is seeking to complete a broadly unprecedented double.
Rachel Blakemore made history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021 and she will be at the helm once more in 2022 and at 20/1, Minella Times looks a good price.
French 8 year old Farclas has all the hallmarks of a quality operator over the Grand National fences and with a 5th place finish in the race last year under the belt, it could go very well again in 2022 for Gordon Elliott, at 25/1.
Aiden Coleman is one of the very best jump jockeys in the business and he will be keen to see one of his favourite rides get over the line, with Snow Leopardess once again sure to be in the mix.
A win for this horse over course and (almost) distance in December 2021 is hugely appealing for punters who enjoy a betting rationale and at 28/1, it is well worth keeping an eye on Snow Leopardess this year.
