Aintree Grand National – The Main Contenders
The Aintree Grand National, the race that stops the nation is only a matter of weeks away, and we are here to look at some of the leading players and try to find you the ante-post value for the 2023 Aintree Grand National.
Who can add their name to the list of historical winners of the Aintree Grand National?
The Main Contenders
Corach Rambler – (10st 5lb) Lucinda Russell
The northern raider comes in here full of confidence after back-to-back wins at the Cheltenham Festival when taking the Ultima Handicap Chase, and with that win, he is well in at the weights.
A horse that has been touted as a main player for the Grand National since his first win in the Ultima Handicap Chase has shown that he possesses all the right attributes to be considered on they all have to fear.
His hold-up style is not always the best racing style in a Grand National, but his strong traveling style is one that if Derick Fox needs to have him closer to the pace he can. But after that he does seem to pull himself up when hitting the front, so will the massive fun in after the last play to his strengths, and if he is there how long will his jockey dare leave it to make his challenge?
Will his jumping be an issue? Granted that he was near foot perfect at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, he does have the tendency to leave his mark in at least one, and will he get away with it over the National fences? Only time will tell.
Positive: Well in at the weights.
Negative: Hold-up tactics.
Verdict: Will need everything to fall right.
Noble Yeats – (11st 11lb) Emmet Mullins
The reigning, defending, undisputed champion of Aintree is back to defend his crown.
Last year’s winner comes in here after a gallant 4th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Galopn Des Champs.
Having taken his form to a new level this season with a win in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree’s Milmay course, and backed that up with 2 ½L 3rd to Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold Chase, then as above, a gallant 4th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
There is not much you can fault from Noble Yeats this season. He has been doing everything you would like to see from a horse that’s main aim to defend his Grand National crown.
Obviously, a mark of 167 makes it much harder this season, but he has improved since his 2022 victory, and there is no reason why this 8yo can’t put up a bold show over a course we already know he loves.
Positive: Still only 8 & in the form of his life.
Negative: Hike in the wights.
Verdict: Can retain his crown.
Delta Work – (11st 4lb) Gordon Elliott
The two-time Cross Country winner at the Cheltenham Festival winner has shown that he is in rude health this month when seeing off his stablemate Galvin to retain the crown that some people say he stole off Tiger Roll last season.
But can he better his 22L 3rd in last year’s renewal?
A 10yo off 159 will need everything to go right, and if the ground comes up soft then that would enhance his chances.
A place play for sure, but hard to see him winning.
Positive: Course form and back class.
Negative: Age and decent ground.
Verdict: Playing for a place.
Gaillard Du Mesnil – (11st 0lb) W P Mullins
At 12/1 is Galliard Du Mesnil one that you can well and truly trust in a Grand National? As much as I like him, I would have to say no.
In many eyes a lucky winner of the National Hunt Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival when chasing down Chemical Energy after being left clear with the fall of Mahler Mission at the second last, but does possess a lot of ability.
Twice placed in Grade 1s at the Cheltenham Festival as a Novice Hurdler and Novice Chaser, and 3rd off a big weight in the Irish National (novice at the time) brings him into the picture.
For one, he looks likes this trip will be well within range, jumps well, and has that touch of class that counts more than ever for the Grand National ever since the new fences were implemented.
This second-season novice chaser should relish the demands of the Grand National.
Positive: Staying power.
Negative: Hard race at Cheltenham.
Verdict: Bold show, but might find one or two to good.
So, with us just weeks away from the Grand National will any of the top four in the betting take home one of the grandest prizes of them all, or will their charge to glory be stopped by one of many lively outsiders in the field?
Click back on Wednesday for my look at the 2023 Grand National Outsiders.
