There are many reasons why the Grand National has become the race that all the UK loves. It doesn't have the best steeplechase horses, like the Cheltenham Gold Cup, it doesn't attract royalty, like the Derby, but it does have history, character, and thrills by the bucketful. Its large field and challenging fences also mean that there's always the chance of an upset, so punters have a rare opportunity to find a double-figure winner. Some Grand National winners down the years have triumphed at huge odds, so let's take a look at the three greatest shock winners and some horses who could follow in their hoofmarks this year.
Foinavon
Foinavon is the first of the three horses we look at here, who all won at staggering odds of 100-1. Despite, or possibly because of, this, Foinavon is also probably the most famous winner of the Grand National, after the great Red Rum himself. 1967 was Foinavon's year, and he triumphed chiefly because of a huge pile-up before the 23rd fence. As Foinavon was lagging behind at this point, his jockey John Buckingham could see the chaos ahead. He steered around it and went on to win the race with ease.
Cuaghoo
Cuaghoo is our second triple figure winner, and whilst not the most famous, his win in 1947 may be the most infamous. The course was covered by heavy fog, yet the outsider Cuaghoo won by an astonishing 20 lengths. The winning jockey Eddie Dempsey was accused of hiding behind a fog covered fence and emerging near the end of the race in front, and he was even assaulted by a fellow jockey. Later photographs, however, proved that the winner had indeed completed the full course.
Mon Mome
The days of huge outsiders winning aren't over, for we have only to hop back ten years to find Mon Mome springing a 100-1 shock in 2009. The result was made all the more surprising because the jockey who produced such a superlative ride, Liam Treadwell, was taking part in the race for the first time. Trainer Venetia Williams also found herself in the history books as only the second woman trainer to win, after the legendary Jenny Pitman.
Outsiders To Follow This Year
Will we see another triple figure winner of the Grand National in 2019? They don't come along too often, but you can increase your chance of spotting one by following the expert tips at HorseBetting.org. They have all the Grand National information you need, and this year, outsider backers could be considering the likes of Monbeg Notorious at around 66-1; he's won three out of his ten fence races and is the son of a renowned stayer, so the extended distance won't be a problem. Another outsider that catches the eye is Regal Encore, available at anything up to 80-1. He finished eighth in this two years ago, a respectable performance, and the top weight allocated to him is a mark of his class, as long as he can see the course out under the burden.
These outsiders and others could be worth an each-way flutter in a Grand National renewal that looks as open as it ever has. Whether you're a favourite backer or prefer to aim for a high odds win, remember to look at sites such as HorseBetting.org for the latest Aintree facts, news, and tips.hoes and think of it thoroughly when choosing what shoes to use for a comfortable race.
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