Latest news with #KandooKid
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Bookmakers fear bashing from grey horses in today's Grand National
The Grand National will be the 'greyest' in living memory with seven grey runners accounting for more than 20 per cent of the 34-runner field. Only three greys have won the National since it was first run in 1839; The Lamb in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and Neptune Collonges in 2012. But with Irish National winner Intense Raffles, Kandoo Kid, 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Hyland all prominent in the betting, there is an outside chance that greys could fill a number of the places. Previously five greys have run in the race twice, the last time in 2002, but that was when there were 40 runners. This year, with Duffle Coat having squeezed into the field in the 34th berth, the National trumps anything which has gone before. The once-a-year punters, who come out in force on Grand National day, have a penchant for greys and in the 177th running of the race, they will be spoilt for choice. Ladbrokes go as short as 5-2 for a grey winner, 5-2 a grey to lead over the last, 12-1 greys to finish first and second and 50-1 greys to fill the first three places. It is only 6-1 that they all complete the course. Alex Apati, Ladbrokes spokesman, said: 'With grey horses making up over 20 per cent of the likely field, this is without doubt the strongest 'grey' challenge for the Grand National in living memory. 'The betting public love grey horses, the great Desert Orchid being the most famous example of a supremely popular grey racehorse, and every year backing a grey racehorse is voiced as one of the most popular ways to pick a horse amongst Grand National punters, so we are bracing ourselves for an avalanche of bets on this strong team of greys. 'Make no mistake, if grey horses fill the first three places at 50-1 it will be a very grey day indeed for British bookies.' Paul Nicholls, who trained Neptune Collonges, continues to give an upbeat assessment of Kandoo Kid, the second shortest-priced British runner after Iroko. 'When he finished third, running on, in the Topham Chase over the fences last year I said we'd train him for two races this year; the Coral Gold Cup, which he won, and the National. He had a nice run round Newbury last time and I think he's fairly handicapped because we've minded him.' Were Kandoo Kid to win it would put Nicholls only £100,000 behind his former assistant Dan Skelton, who was just pipped by Willie Mullins last year, in the trainers' title, which would make the last few weeks of the season interesting. 'Putting the title aside,' added Nicholl, 'it would be nice to win the National again with another grey.' Perhaps most, however, is riding on the novice Hyland's shoulders. Nicky Henderson has been training for nearly 50 years and has never come closer to winning the race than his first attempt with Zongalero who was runner-up to Rubstic in 1979. Nine of his 40-plus runners since have come a cropper at the first. Hyland, who is owned by the Ten From Seven syndicate which includes several octogenarians, is a good ground specialist who will appreciate a dry week, which will mean the course should be nearer his favoured good ground than soft for the brigade of runners who like it that way. How many grey horses are running in the 2025 Grand National? There are a record seven grey horses running in this year's Grand National. Intense Raffles (trainer Tom Gibney), 7-1 Winner of last year's Irish National, kept to hurdling this season until he warmed up for this with an excellent second when all wrong at the weights in the Bobbyjo Chase. Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell), 12-1 Runner up to Corach Rambler two years ago, 14th last year but arguably coming into this year's race in better form than 12 months ago after finishing an unlucky third in the cross-country at Cheltenham. Appears transformed by blinkers. Kandoo Kid (Paul Nicholls), 16-1 Winner of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and had a nice warm-up over too short a trip last month. Trainer sent out the last grey to win the National. Hyland (Nicky Henderson), 25-1 Novice chaser who might be well in at the weights. Runner-up in a Grade One novice chase at Christmas and good second at Kempton carrying top weight on last start. Will like the ground. Big chance. Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott), 66-1 Has been round the course in three Nationals finishing eighth, pulled up and 11th. Safe jumper but evidence suggests he does not quite get the trip. Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott), 66-1 Rarely out of the money but biggest claim to fame remains finishing second to Vauban in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle. His illustrious stablemate Tiger Roll won that race. Duffle Coat (Gordon Elliott), 100-1 Mayo National winner who will enjoy the ground. Was not beaten when brought down at the second last in the National Hunt Chase on his last start. One of the better 100-1 shots. How many grey horses have ever won the Grand National? Only three grey horses have ever won the National, although the Lamb won it twice. The Lamb (1868 and 1871) Nicolaus Silver (1961) Neptune Collonges (2012)
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
I Am Maximus heads Grand National confirmations
Randox Grand National 2025Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 5 April Time: 16:00 BSTCoverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Racecards, live text, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app. Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads the confirmations for the Grand National at Aintree on Willie Mullins-trained horse, owned by JP McManus, triumphed by seven and a half lengths in the 2024 are 57 entries remaining, and a maximum of 34 runners will line up on the day after the final field and four reserves are announced on Thursday is seeking a record fourth victory in the race, and he also has leading hopefuls Iroko and Perceval Legallois.I Am Maximus would be the first horse to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s, and only one horse – Tiger Roll in 2019 – has defended his title since then. Mullins has a strong squad which also includes Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West towards the top of the weights, although Capodanno was not confirmed for the race on Incredible has been barred from running after either being pulled up or refusing to race in his last four who were guaranteed a run but have not taken up the option are L'Homme Presse, Minella Drama and Velvet Cromwell, who trains Velvet Elvis, will still be strongly represented with Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and Vanillier, the second-place finisher in 2023.A strong Irish contingent includes bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800 and won the King George VI Chase in 2023, plus last year's third-place finisher and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, and the 2024 Irish Grand National winner Intense Blackmore, the only female jockey to win the race when she triumphed in 2021 aboard Minella Times, is likely to ride Minella Indo or Senior Chief for trainer Henry de 14-times British champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five contenders as seeks a second win in the race - Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away jockey Harry Cobden rides Kandoo Kid, with Bryony Frost aboard Stay Away has been aimed at the race all season by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will carry the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere won in 1983 as Jenny Pitman became the first female trainer to who has won the race twice before, is also set to saddle Broadway the withdrawals, Celebre d'Allen, Three Card Brag and Twig are now guaranteed a run.A decision has still to be made on who takes the 34th and final spot between Duffle Coat, Shakem Up'Arry - owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp - and Roi Mage, who are all due to carry 10st place will go to the horse with the highest current rating and if two or more have the same, a random ballot will take place.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Win and each-way betting explained ahead of Cheltenham 2025
Win and each-way bets are the most common types of wager placed on sporting events. This article explains in easy-to-understand terms how both work. Win betting Here you are backing a selection – Liverpool to win the league, Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup – to win outright. Any other outcome and your stake will be lost, except for events in which the possible outcomes include a dead heat, when your return will usually be calculated at half the odds. An example of win betting Arsenal are 2/1 to beat Barcelona in the Champions League and you fancy them to win. Their price means that, for every £1 you bet, you will win £2. You stake £5 and Arsenal win, so your winnings will be £10 (£5 x 2) and, as your stake is returned when you place a winning bet, your total return is £15. Win betting and dead heats You place £5 on Kandoo Kid to win the Grand National at 20/1 and he dead-heats for first with Iroko. Because the bookmakers will be paying out on two winners, they halve the price on both, so 20/1 becomes 10/1 and your winnings will be £50 (£5 x 10), for a total return of £55 including your stake. What is each-way betting? Backing an outcome each-way means you place two bets in one on a selection: one for it to win and one for it to finish among a specified number of places. For all events on which each-way betting is possible, bookmakers will state in advance how many places they will pay out on. The place odds are a fraction of the win odds (usually one-fifth or one-quarter) so each-way betting often appeals if you think your selection will place and has an outside chance of winning, or if it has a sufficiently long price. For example, a 40/1 shot would generally pay 8/1 or 10/1 for placing. There are three factors to consider when placing an each-way bet: the win odds, the fractional odds for placing and the number of places being paid out. The last may vary from operator to operator and, if the fractional odds are 1/1 or greater, you will not lose money as long as your selection places. Once you are aware of these, you can tick the each-way (e/w) box after adding your selection to your bet slip and place your each-way bet. Remember that your stake is doubled for an each-way bet. An example of each-way betting Kandoo Kid is 20/1 to win the Grand National and you think he will definitely place and may even win. You place £5 each-way on him, a total outlay of £10, with a bookmaker who is paying a quarter of the odds for first, second, third and fourth places. Effectively you are staking £5 at 20/1 on Twain to win and £5 at 5/1 (one-quarter of 20/1) on him to finish in the first four. This is how the two parts of the bet work: Win bet: If Twain wins you win £100 (20 x £5) and get your £5 win stake back for a return of £105. Place bet: If Twain places you win £25 (5 x £5) and get your £5 place stake back for a return of £30. If your selection wins both the win and place parts of your each-way bet pay a return, here £135. If your selection places only the place part of the each-way bet pays a return, so £30 in this case. How many places are paid on an each-way bet? This can vary between operators but all will advertise the number. Generally, in horse racing betting, there is a minimum number of each-way places based on how many runners there are. However, in events such as golf, bookmakers may enhance the number of places to as many as 10 or 12. Each-way betting: extra places and enhanced terms Bookmakers often offer more than the standard number of each-way places or more generous each-way fractions on selected daily races in the form of an existing customer offer. For specific races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup or Grand National, bookmakers try to outdo each other by offering extra places, so it is always worth researching who is paying out on the most places.
