Grand National Horse Race Picks: Kimberlite Candy provides Betting Value

It is the British version of the Kentucky Derby - that one time a year when even casual Horse Racing fans place a bet as the country comes to a standstill for around ten minutes as 40 horses take on the 40 fences over four-and-a-quarter-miles around the Aintree course.

The race is set to get underway on lunchtime this Saturday with a 12:15PM EDT Post Time.

With around three-quarters of a million Brits currently residing in the US - we know many of them will be interested in placing a bet on the race so we thought we'd put together an overview of the race including some advice for how to bet on Horses in the States.

The list of Entries is below along with some US Horse Betting Advice...

Jockey Tom Scudamore will be aboard the expected favorite for the Grand National Cloth Cap on Saturday. Unlike the big names in the Kentucky Derby - who are often unbeaten going into the big race - in the National these horses often have mixed histories. The Jonjo O'Neill trained nine-year-old is no different having only two of his past eight races since the start of 2019. The previous two starts however were both wins with victories in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury and the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso just a month ago. His stamina is not questioned and the belief is that he's been correctly installed as the favorite. However any race where big fences are involved - you can't automatically think the best horse will be triumphant.

The top Irish challenge is expected to come from Minella Times. Rachel Blackmore will get the ride for trainer Henry De Bromhead. This eight-year-old has a more consistent record than Cloth Gap having finished first or second in six of his previous seven races. A strong run last time out at the Gaelic Plant Hire Leopardstown Handicap Chase where he chased down Off You Go down the stretch only to lose out to a fine horse. Has always held on well which indicates the extra mile plus of the Grand National won't be the biggest issue.

Burrows Saint will be the top French challenger according to the betting markets. This eight-year-old won the 2019 Irish Grand National over three miles and five furlongs. The lack of racing throughout 2020 means that he has had a long period of freshening up. No wins however in his previous three races since December means there is some concern.

Any Second Now rounds out the front runners according to the UK bookmakers. Won last time out at Navan in the Webster Cup Chase but that small field of five papers over the cracks that he seems to struggle in big fields. Surprised by how much betting interest there is here.

2018 JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Farclas is in the field. This French horse also hit the board this year at Cheltenham when he came in second in the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase. Not a big winner candidate but this seven-year-old has every chance of hitting the board for a potential value play. Another potential board hitter for value is Anibale Fly. This 11-year-old finished fourth and fifth in the 2018 and 2019 editions of this race and seems to like the Aintree fences.

Bristol De Mai for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is yet another potential candidate for hitting the board at a decent price. He has good recent form having finished outside the top two only once in the past two years but can he really hold on for four plus miles around this course? I have my doubts.

My value play however will be Kimberlite Candy. This nine-year-old has a good record over these fences having twice finished runner-up in the Becher Handicap Chase in 2019 and 2020. Seems to have reserves in the tank even after three miles and five furlongs over these fences. The Morning Line odds are set at 8-1 but expect that to drift somewhat towards maybe 10-1 and that is where I'd be putting my money.

In the States there are currently no fixed odds terminals for Horse Racing (although that is due to change soon) so all bets on Horses are done via Pool Betting. So it doesn't matter which company you sign-up with - the odds you'll get will be the same. This is why you should look for the best sign-up offer along with ensure you can bet on Horse Racing in the State in which you currently reside.

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So as long as you are in any of the above States - you can open a Horse Racing Betting account and partake in a very British pastime...