Big gamble on Rachael Blackmore's runner sees Ain't That A Shame head Grand National betting

Rachael Blackmore's ride Ain't That A Shame has been heavily backed into favouritism for Aintree's Randox Grand National on Saturday (5.15).

The nine-year-old has halved in price to 8-1 generally from 16-1 on Friday morning and 33-1 when the weights were announced in February.

He was last seen winning by six lengths at Gowran Park in March under Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National aboard Minella Times in 2021.

"Ain't That A Shame has taken the mantle at the top of the market and it's the Rachael Blackmore effect taking place in a big jumps race yet again," said Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield.

Ain't That A Shame: his win at Gowran Park last time out was his first victory over fencesCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan

"Her jump to public prominence two years ago when winning the race means people immediately look for her mounts when looking at a race and Ain't That A Shame has more than halved in price from 20-1 last Friday."

Blackmore has proved popular with punters since a string of big-race successes, including back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle in 2021 and 2022, and the Gold Cup aboard A Plus Tard last year.

She was on the board at Aintree on Thursday when winning the Red Rum Handicap Chase aboard 15-2 shot Dancing On My Own for Henry de Bromhead, who also trains Ain't That A Shame.

He said: "Maybe it's down to Rachael, is it? All this money that arrived for him. That said, I do think he has the right profile for the race and he's been in great form in the lead up to it."

What do our Spotlight experts think?

Spotlight editor Richard Austen notes: Failed to shine in the 2022 Kim Muir at Cheltenham but improved form on varied ground every time over fences in Ireland; close calls in two good 3m handicaps before easily making all when sights were lowered last month; scopey, long-striding sort who's a fascinating prospect for this distance.

Ain't That A Shame17:15 Aintree

View Racecard

Jky: Rachael Blackmore Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

Randox Grand National (5.15 Aintree, Saturday)

Coral: 8 Ain't That A Shame, Delta Work, 9 Corach Rambler, 11 Noble Yeats, 12 Any Second Now, Mr Incredible, 14 Gaillard Du Mesnil, Le Milos, Longhouse Poet, 16 The Big Dog, Vanillier, 18 Galvin, 20 Capodanno, Our Power, 25 Back On The Lash, Coko Beach, Lifetime Ambition, The Big Breakaway, 33 bar

2023 Grand National festival: best betting offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available if you sign up here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Sign up for a new Coral account. They have an offer for new customers here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.
• Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.

Read these next:

2023 Grand National: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

2023 Grand National pinstickers' guide: David Jennings has his say 

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2023 Grand National at Aintree 

Grand National 2023 tips: why this horse can win the big race at Aintree on Saturday 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.