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Seabass has been the big gamble ahead of the John Smith’s Grand National this morning and Katie Walsh’s mount has been cut to 12/1 by Aintree’s official betting partner Betfred.

Katie Walsh - jockey of Seabass
© Caroline Norris

Initially priced up at 22/1, the rapidly-improving gelding has been incredibly popular with punters and is now the joint-second favourite for the race alongside last year’s winner Ballabriggs.

“Seabass has been smashed off the boards this morning for the John Smith’s Grand National with punters reeling in the price in the hope that this won’t be the one that got away,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Punters have been very keen on the Irish as well to the extent that the price on an Irish-trained winner has been cut to 6/4 (from 7/4). There has also been support on the winning distance as well and over three lengths to 10 lengths has been trimmed to 7/4 (from 2/1).

Looking at the rest of the card, Chaptoturgeon has been popular at the head of the market for the John Smith’s Handicap Chase (5.35 Aintree) and has been cut to 5/2 (from 3/1) by Betfred. Constant Contact has been cut to give Donald McCain another Aintree winner in the John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle (5.05 Aintree) and he is now 71 (from 8/1).

Population has been all the rage for the final race on the card and now heads the market at 9/4 (from 11/4).

John Smith’s Grand National - Betfred bet:
9 Synchronised; 12 (from 22) Seabass; 12 Ballabriggs; 14 Cappa Bleu, Shakalakaboomboom, West End Rocker; 16 Becauseicouldntsee, ChicagoGrey, Giles Cross, Junior, On His Own, Organisedconfusion, Sunnyhillboy, 18 Killyglen; 22 Treacle, 25 Always Right, 33 According To Pete, Planet Of Sound, The Midnight Club; 40 Calgary Bay, Neptune Collonges, Quiscover Fontaine, Rare Bob; 50 Alfa Beat, Black Apalachi, Mon Mome, Weird Al; 66 State Of Play, Vic Venturi; 80 Deep Purple; 100 Arbor Supreme, Hello Bud, Midnight Haze, Neptune Equester, Tatenen, Viking Blond; 125 Swing Bill; 150 In Compliance, Postmaster, Tharawaat. A quarter the odds 1-2-3-4

John Smith's Grand National: What weight will the winner carry? Betfred bet: 2/5 Under 11st, 7/4 11st and over. Win Only

John Smith's Grand National: Age of Winner - Betfred bet:
7/4 nine-year-old, 2/1 10-year-old, 7/2 11-year-old, 8/1 eight-year-old; 20/1 seven-year-old; 25/1 12-year-old; 40 13-year-old; 80/1 14-year-old. Win Only

John Smith's Grand National Specials - Betfred bet:
7/4 Irish-trained winner; 5/1 Jonjo O’Neill-trained winner; 8/1 Willie Mullins-trained winner; 11/1 Donald McCain-trained winner; 11/1 Female jockey-ridden winner; 12/1 David Pipe-trained winner. Win Only