Where does the value lie in Sunday's Grand National Trial at Punchestown?

Every racing enthusiast will be familiar with the phrase, ‘that’ll pay for Cheltenham’ as we search for hidden value and attempt to boost the betting coffers in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.

Sunday’s Grand National Trial at Punchestown (14.40) provides just that opportunity as thirteen line up in the big betting race on the card. Traditionally, the trial is a preparation for the Grand National and throws up clues to which horses have the tenacity and staying power to handle a gruelling trip.

Hollywood Bets, this year’s sponsor, has come up with a rather unique offer for you to win a share of €10,000 from just a €10 bet if your horse wins Sunday’s renewal and then goes on to win either the English or Irish Grand National.

Below we consider a few statistics to help you pinpoint the winner.

Last year’s winner of the Irish Grand National Trial, The Big Dog, attempts to make it back-to-back victories in the race and is the only runner to have won over this distance of an extended three miles and four furlongs. His trainer Peter Fahey, has previously described him as ‘lairy’ and ‘tricky’ but he’s looking to bounce back to form under his ideal conditions. Jamie Codd who rode the enigmatic chaser to victory last year, is once again on board and has a 23% strike-rate at Punchestown over the past five seasons.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has won two of the last four renewals and is quadruple-handed. Elliott teamed up with Davy Russell to win the race in 2019 with Dounikos, and today Russell takes the ride aboard his seven-year-old, Floueur. Russell has won this race twice and Floueur who previously secured black-type over hurdles, comes into this race in good form, off the back of a victory.

Only one eleven-year-old has won this contest in the past ten years and Death Duty is the sole runner of this age.

When it comes to betting odds, the biggest-priced winner over the past twenty years was 16-1. In addition, winners of the race have carried no more than 11 stone to victory over the past ten years so it may be worth looking towards the bottom of the handicap.

It will come as no surprise that the leading trainer in the race is Willie Mullins who has scored on three occasions in this trial. Mullins views this year’s runner, Stones and Roses, as an ‘old fashioned staying chaser, who needs an extended trip’. Mullins’ son of Shantou carries eleven stone and finished fourth in the Porterstown Handicap Chase over 3 miles and 5 furlongs at Fairyhouse in November. He looks to improve on last year’s attempt in this contest when he failed to make an impression and was pulled up.

Trainer Noel Meade has landed this prize twice and saddles Brace Yourself who comes into this off the back of a lay off. If the nine-year-old can find his form again, he may be one to consider for some each-way value, having been placed over extended trips in the past.

Place a minimum stake of €10 on the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial at Punchestown and stand a chance to win a share of €10 000 if your selection wins and then goes on to win either the English or Irish Grand National.

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