ONE of the favourites for the Grand National isn’t even in the race – leaving punters praying their big gamble at least has a chance of coming off.
Eclair Surf is currently first reserve to get into the £1million contest.
One of the favourites for this year’s Grand National isn’t even in the race yet – leaving punters to face a nervy wait to see if their big gamble even has a chance of victory
Emma Lavelle’s massively exciting runner needs one more to come out between now and 10am Thursday morning to get in.
Punters have smashed Eclair Surf from 33-1 to as low as 11-1 based on the strength of his two most recent runs.
The eight-year-old bay gelding had subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Corach Rambler 20 lengths behind when thrashing the field at Warwick in January.
But it was his run at Newcastle – and what happened after – that really made punters sit up and take notice.
Eclair Surf was beaten just under two lengths by Win By Wings.
Christian Williams’ stable star has since bolted up in the Scottish Grand National, hammering rivals at Ayr last Saturday.
When they went head-to-head in the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase, Eclair Surf was hampered close to home and lost a bit of momentum.
A bit more room and he could well have got the better of Win My Wings.
Eclair Surf’s form took a gigantic boost on the back of Win My Wings’ Scottish National romp.
Punters piled into Eclair Surf and he is now fourth favourite for Saturday’s National.
Big British hope Snow Leopardess is bidding to make history for Charlie Longsdon and is current 7-1 fav.
Delta Work and Any Second Now are both around 8-1 while Escaria Ten is 10-1.
Next comes Eclair Surf, by far the shortest price of any reserve still waiting for a spot in the field of 40 runners.
The good news is Eclair Surf was fifth reserve, with the four ahead of him since sealing an entry in the fight to win the £500,000 first-place prize.
So with just hours to go until the final declarations are made, punters in on the gamble will hope one more comes out, so Eclair Surf gets in.
It will be nervy – but it could land to one of the biggest gambles in recent history having a good chance of coming in.
