Grand National Initial Ratings

So, it won't be too long until the 2014 Aintree Grand National and the year's biggest betting event. Run over 4m 4f with the toughest jumps in racing (or at least, they used to be), and with 40 horses competing every year, the race can be a nightmare to try to analyse, and a lottery when it takes place.

Due to the sheer amount of horses participating (it's currently only narrowed down to around 70), it can be extremely difficult to carry out analysis of the race. Doing so is painstakingly slow and so the majority of our analysis will come after the field has been narrowed a bit more. However, we have already rated the horses still in the race based on whether or not they fit the profile of a National winner. It should be noted that this is based on more of a statistical viewpoint than an examination on the talent of the horses - that will come later. Also, I'd like to stress that they're called initial ratings because a lot will change between now and Grand National day.

Here are the initial ratings in descending order:

94 Godsmejudge 

94 Raz De Maree 

91 Burton Port 

91 Pineau De Re 

86 Katenko 

86 Lion na Bearnai 

86 Same Difference 

86 Saint Are 

86 Quinz 

85 Across The Bay 

85 Prince De Beauchene 

85 Monbeg Dude 

85 Night In Milan 

85 Theres no Panic 

79 Quito De La Roque 

78 Big Shu 

78 Tranquil Sea 

78 Any Currency 

77 Teaforthree 

77 Battle Group 

77 Twirling Magnet 

77 The Package 

77 Shakalakaboomboom 

77 Soll 

77 Wyck Hill 

77 Storm Survivor 

77 Tour Des Champs 

76 Sunnyhillboy 

76 Mountainous 

76 Alvarado 

70 Long Run 

69 Tidal Bay 

69 Triolo D'Alene 

69 Colbert Station 

69 Golan Way 

69 Alfie Sherrin 

68 Balthazar King 

68 Double Seven 

68 Kruzhlinin 

68 Gullible Gordon 

68 Victrix Gale 

67 Baile Anrai 

66 Last Time D'Albain 

66 Goonyella 

65 Out Now 

61 Wayward Prince 

61 Vintage Star 

61 Chance Du Roy 

60 Bog Warrior 

60 Buckers Bridge 

60 The Rainbow Hunter 

60 Lost Glory 

60 Court By Surprise 

59 Sir Du Bearn 

59 Merlins Wish 

58 Mr Moonshine 

58 One In A Milan 

53 Roi Du Mee 

53 Swing Bill 

52 Mossey Joe 

51 Rose Of The Moon 

51 Minella For Value 

51 Quiscover Fontaine 

51 Standing Ovation 

50 Hunt Ball 

45 Solix 

44 Our Father 

44 Hawkes Point 

42 Rocky Creek 

42 Vesper Bell 

41 Walkon 

34 Sergeant Pink 

Make what you will of these. It's far from all the Grand National work we'll be doing and I won't be backing anything yet based on these ratings. However, the top 4 may be of interest, and it could well be worth noting if something you had your eye on this far out is down the bottom half of the ratings.