One of the ideal methods to learn about some of the strengths and weaknesses of the many horses in these races is to follow the jockeys who ride them.  The horses that jockeys choose to ride and the reasons they offer are just as important as any horse betting tips you will receive.  This is because, no one knows the horse like the jockey - except maybe the trainer themselves.

Today in the news was the fact that 12-times champion jockey Tony McCoy has decided to stay loyal to the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Butler’s Cabin.  This was the horse he on whom he won the Irish Grand National last season.  While there were other options, McCoys choice, and the reasoning he offers, should be something that all of us make note of when we are preparing to place our bets.

Trainer O’Neill’s comments to the Racing Post offer us some insight to Butler’s Cabins strengths. 

“He will be grand if the ground stays good but I wouldn’t want the ground to get really soft or heavy.  He’s in grand old form.  The Sandown race was probably his worst race and that was disappointing but he is a bit of a monkey and Mick (Fitzgerald) didn’t know him.”

This introduces several aspects to the race that we can gather about horses before and after races take place.  The first is how conditions of the track affect the performance of particular horses.  The second is how the relationship between jockey and horse can also affect the outcome.

Information for the expected conditions of the race come from Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch who stated that the John Smith’s Grand National will take place on good ground.

“The National course is good to soft and soft in places.  We had four millimetres of rain overnight and another four to five during the day, but we actually got away lightly during the day yesterday,” he said.

While the weather is predicted to be good for the races - keep your eyes on the weather, and keep your ears to comments made by trainers and jockeys who know best.  When you arrive to the races - you will be best equipped to make the educated and qualified choices that will bring you the best profits.