I am afraid journalists these days have very little knowledge about the subjects they write about. The Grand National used to be a lottery where poor horses could occasionally win the race. The best example is Foinavon whose managed to jump a fence which was blocked with many horses in the ditch. Then we had nutcases from the RSPCA et al complaining that our great race was cruel to horses. So the fences were shortened and made easier to jump. Then the distance was shortened. So the Grand National became a 4 miles + ordinary chase. The magic has gone!
This means that higher grade horses are now entered because the risks have been vastly reduced. The best jumper ever, Arkle, did not run in the race as his owner would not risk it. If the conditions then had been as they are today Arkle would have run and would now hold the record for winning under the highest weight ever.
So with much better horses now entering it is no wonder favourites are getting their noses in front. This week a good horse will win a long distance chase and his owner will collect a lot of money. But is won’t be the Grand National as we knew it!