2015 GRAND NATIONAL BETTING

From the Times newspaper today:

EW: 1/4 1,2,3,4
Selection Price
Shutthefrontdoor 7/1 Open and shut case for retiring AP McCoy?
Rocky Creek 10/1 Fine fifth last year and emphatic winner latest.
Balthazar King 10/1 King for a day? Runner-up last year.
The Druids Nephew 12/1 Well treated in relation to others after latest win.
Cause Of Causes 14/1 Lot to like about latest win at Cheltenham.
Alvarado 20/1 4th 12 months ago. Rider excels at track.
Godsmejudge 20/1 Solid claims if he can recapture best form.
Spring Heeled 20/1 Well named because he is a super jumper.
Soll 20/1 7th two years ago. Improver this season.
Al Co 25/1 Stays well but unlikely to be paying for drinks.
First Lieutenant 25/1 Been struggling to show them who is boss.
Royale Knight 25/1 Trained by a doctor and has a healthy chance.
Pineau Du Re 25/1 Triumphed last year. Dual winners are rare.
Night In Milan 28/1 Sound jumper who will enjoy the drying ground.
Unioniste 33/1 Grey bred for the job. Prefers softish ground.
Saint Are 33/1 Ninth two years ago. Capable of going closer.
Many Clouds 33/1 Outlook favourable for this smart stayer.
The Package 33/1
Monbeg Dude 40/1 Seventh last year. Stayer. Has a royal connection.
Dolatulo 40/1 More exposed than most. Others stronger.
Court By Surprise 40/1 Two starts,two wins this term. Powder kept dry.
Chance Du Roy 40/1 Operates really well at Aintree. Sixth last year.
Ballycasey 40/1 Grey is in top hands but looks doubtful stayer.
Lord Windermere 40/1Won Gold Cup last season but top weight.
Carlito Brigante 50/1 No villain but unlikely to have enough stamina.
Across The Bay 50/1 Has helped make up the numbers past two years.
Mon Parrain 50/1 His jockey,17,needs to have done homework.
Oscar Time 50/1 Course specialist but vulnerable at age 14.
Rebel Rebellion 50/1 Rebel with a cause but trip looks an issue.
Super Duty 50/1 Not so super when on duty at Doncaster latest.
Wyck Hill 50/1 Dour stayer but suffered heavy tumble latest.
Corrin Wood 50/1 Grey's form has plenty of splinters in it.
Duke Of Lucca 50/1 It has been a year since he last won a race.
Raz De Maree 50/1
Portrait King 66/1 Sketchy performer. Unlikely to make frame.
Rubi Light 66/1 Unlikely to shine over the extreme distance.
Baileys Concerto 66/1 Seems most unlikely to hit any high notes.
The Rainbow Hunter 66/1 Unseated rider last year. Pot of gold elusive.
Owega Star 66/1 Honest sort but not hard to look elsewhere.
Tranquil Sea 100/1
Gas Line Boy 100/1 Unlikely to fuel too many dreams.
Ely Brown 100/1 Lacks experience and others more persuasive.
Bob Ford 100/1 Drying ground no help to confirmed mudlark.
River Choice 100/1

Is that a tip punter or just one u fancy?

No profit for me this year. Got to say that pre-off I was convinced that all they hype over McManus's and AP's fav had taken the focus of Cause of Causes and I was sure that it was going to win the race.

Without benefit of a replay, my view in running was...

Near the end, Soll looked to be travelling better than most and I was tempted into an in running bet

Nearer the end, the jockey on Saint Are seemed to be confident, looking around several times for dangers - I thought he looked all over the winner so I bunged an in running bet on him.

The price lengthened as the leader moved away but I still had visions of it fading and Saint Arc winning the race - I bet again.

Never have I had so many different shots in a race and failed to spot the winner. I can console myself in the fact that I backed the winner last year but this year's sojourn was effort wasted

Seen, RC, Traeth = unlucky chaps