IT’S time to break out the fancy hats and get ready to cheer on some majestic equines, because the full field for the Randox Grand National at Aintree has been announced! 40 strong and raring to go, these horses are ready to strut their stuff in the most famous race in the world.
Leading the charge is the mighty Coach Rambler, who’s the odds-on favourite to take home the £1 million prize. But don’t count out last year’s champ Noble Yates, who’s back for another shot at glory and ready to give it his all with jockey Sean Bowen in the saddle.
Trainer Gordon Elliott is in it to win it with a whopping six contenders, including the fierce Delta Work, who’s expected to dominate on the 4-mile, 2-furlong track at Aintree. And Willie Mullins has no less than five horses in the running, with Gaillard Du Mesnil, Capodanno, Mr Incredible, Carefully Selected, and Recite A Prayer all vying for the winner’s circle.
The race kicks off at 5:15pm sharp, and you can catch all the action live on ITV. So grab some snacks, find a comfy spot on the couch, and get ready to witness some truly thrilling horse racing. Let’s do this!
FULL LIST OF RUNNERS
HERALD.WALES FAVOURITES
Corach Rambler • 6-1
Form: U1-541 Age: 9 Weight: 10-05
Following his second consecutive victory in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last month, he is the favorite for this race. Although he placed fourth to Le Milos at Newbury in November, he is better off at the weights for this event. The syndicate of seven owners includes 21-year-old student Cameron Sword. The jockey returns from injury for this race, as he did when he and the trainer emerged victorious with One For Arthur, making them only the second Scottish-trained duo to win the event. It’s worth noting that the 2017 winner passed away three weeks ago.
Jockey: Derek Fox • Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Noble Yeats • 8-1
Form: -P1134 Age: 8 Weight: 11-12
In Sam Waley-Cohen’s last ride, he emerged victorious last year, but this time, Pembrokeshire born jockey Sean Bowen will be taking the reins. With much lower odds than his 50-1 win in 2022, he may be showing signs of improvement. He achieved a convincing victory at Aintree in December and followed it up with a fourth-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, there is one significant question mark regarding his performance: Can he overcome the 15lb extra weight he is carrying?
Jockey: Sean Bowen • Trainer: Emmet Mullins
Delta Work • 8-1
Form: 3-1361 Age: 10 Weight: 11-04
Having carried 5lbs less weight last year, he placed third, although he was defeated by a considerable margin. However, he displayed his good form by winning the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham for the second consecutive year, surpassing his stablemate Galvin. He previously won the Irish Gold Cup and placed fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup three years ago, which speaks to his impressive track record. Nevertheless, he has his work cut out for him if he wants to improve on his performance from 12 months ago.
Jockey: Keith Donoghue • Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Mr Incredible • 12-1
Form: RP-B23 Age: 7 Weight: 10-04
If he’s feeling up to it, he stands a credible chance. He previously placed third in the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham, following a second-place finish in Warwick’s Classic Chase. At the same age as last year’s victorious Noble Yeats – who became the first seven-year-old to win in 82 years – he seems to be on par with the expectations. The trainer’s son, Patrick, believes that he fulfills all the necessary criteria for success. However, it’s worth noting that he did refuse to race on one occasion and pulled himself up in his next outing two years ago.
Jockey: Brian Hayes • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Gaillard Du Mesnil • 12-1
Form: 3-2131 Age: 7 Weight: 11-00
Following the fall of Mahler Mission, Grey emerged as the victor in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He had previously placed third in the Irish Grand National last year, prompting his trainer to claim that he was perfectly suited for the Aintree race when the weights were released in February. While he finished third to stablemate Capodanno at Naas last season, he has a more favorable weight in comparison for this event. It’s worth noting that the jockey and trainer duo recently triumphed in the 2023 Irish National with I Am Maximus.
Jockey: Paul Townend • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Any Second Now 14-1
Form: 12-241 Age: 11 Weight: 11-12
After placing third in 2021 and second last year, the question is whether he can finally clinch the top spot. Although he appears to be well-matched for the race, he is burdened with 4lbs more than his previous attempt. The talkative trainer, who previously won with Papillon in 2000, expressed surprise at the allocation of top weight, stating that he was “absolutely shocked.” As a result, he may have to settle for another podium finish instead of claiming pole position.
Jockey: Mark Walsh • Trainer: Ted Walsh
THE OUTSIDERS
The Big Dog 25-1
Jockey: Aidan Coleman • Trainer: Peter Fahey
Galvin 20-1
Jockey: Davy Russell • Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Fury Road 40-1
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr • Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Capodanno 20-1
Jockey: Danny Mullins • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Sam Brown 66-1
Jockey: Jonathan Burke • Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Lifetime Ambition 25-1
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe • Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Carefully Selected 33-1
Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Coko Beach 33-1
Jockey: Harry Cobden • rainer: Gordon Elliott
Longhouse Poet 14-1
Jockey: J J Slevin • Trainer: Martin Brassil
Gaillard Du Mesnil 12-1
Jockey: Paul Townend • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Darasso 50-1
Jockey: Luke Dempsey • Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Le Milos 14-1
Jockey: Harry Skelton • Trainer: Dan Skelton
Escaria Ten 66-1
Jockey: Adrian Heskin • Trainer: Gordon Elliott
The Big Breakaway 33-1
Jockey: Brendan Powell • Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Cape Gentleman 100-1
Jockey: Jody McGarvey • Trainer: ‘Shark’ Hanlon
Roi Mage 40-1
Jockey: Felix de Giles • Trainer: Patrick Griffin
Diol Ker 66-1
Jockey: Kieren Buckley • Trainer: Noel Mead
A Wave Of The Sea 100-1
Jockey: Luke Dempsey • Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Minella Trump 50/1
Jockey: Theo Gillard • Trainer: Donald McCain
Vanillier 20-1
Jockey: Sean Flanagan • Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Velvet Elvis 40-1
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe • Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Ain’t That A Shame 20-1
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore • Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Enjoy d’Allen 66-1
Jockey: Simon Torrens • Trainer: Ciaran Murphy
Mister Coffey 33-1
Jockey: Nico de Boinville • Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Cloudy Glen 80-1
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch • Trainer: Venetia Williams
Hill Sixteen 66-1
Jockey: Ryan Mania • Trainer: Sandy Thomson
Gabbys Cross 50-1
Jockey: Peter Carberry • Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Recite A Prayer 100-1
Jockey: TBC • Trainer: Willie Mullins
Eva’s Oskar 50-1
Jockey: Alan Johns • Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Our Power 20-1
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies • Trainer: Sam Thomas
Dunboyne 50-1
Jockey: Jack Tudor • Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Francky du Berlais 100-1
Jockey: Ben Jones • Trainer: Peter Bowen
Fortescue 66-1
Jockey: Hugh Nugent • Trainer: Henry Daly
Back On The Lash 66-1
Jockey: Adam Wedge • Trainer: Martin Keighley
Born By The Sea 100-1
Jockey: Phillip Enright • Trainer: Paul John Gilligan
OUR BEST OF THE REST
Ain’t That A Shame 20-1
Form: 20-241 Age: 9 Weight: 10-05
The use of musical names for racehorses appears to have a ripple effect. This particular horse finished second to The Big Dog in the Munster National earlier this season and emerged as a comfortable winner at Gowran Park last month. While not as seasoned as some of its competitors, it has the potential to improve, though it still needs to demonstrate its stamina. The trainer has a chance to achieve a poignant victory, especially after the passing of his 13-year-old son Jack in a riding accident last year. The trainer previously won the National in 2021, with Rachael Blackmore making history aboard Minella Times.
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore • Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
