For many, the Aintree Grand National is the pinnacle of horse racing and they would not be wrong.
The race that stops a nation, where every racing fan and casual fan tunes in to see 40 horse line up to take on the most famous and challenging test in horse racing the 30 Grand National fences.
History will be made, but who will hold it together to take the most famous prize of them all?
Here we will try to guide you to the best bet with our thoughts on the 40-strong field that will line up for the 2023 Aintree Grand National.
Aintree Grand National Runners
1 – Any Second Now – 11yo – 11st 12lb – Ted Walsh
Runner up in the last two Grand Nationals and arguably unlucky the year Minella Times won as he was stopped in his tracks by a faller at the 12th, but did remarkably well to get take 3rd. Up again in the weights and it’s hard to see if there is any wiggle room for the 11yo off this mark.
2 – Noble Yeates – 8yo – 11st 11lb – Emmet Mullins
The defending champion was the first 7yo to win the Grand National since 1940 when taking last year’s renewal off a 19lb lower mark, but can he become the first horse in decades to win back-to-back Nationals off such a mark? I think he can. He has taken his form to a whole new level this season with a win in the Many Clouds Chase, and a fast finishing 4th in the 2023 Gold Cup. He has a lot going for him with his love for Aintree and the fact he is still improving as an 8yo. Massive chance.
3 – Galvin – 9yo – 11st 11lb – Gordon Elliott
A former Grade 1 winner in his prime comes in here on the back of a 2nd in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. That was the first sign of anything like his old self, but is he one you want to trust in a race like this? If he gets back to himself, he could put it up to anyone in this line-up.
4 – Fury Road – 9yo – 11st 6lb – Gordon Elliott
Has been running to a decent level this season, and is well worth a go at a test like this. Has a lot of back class and is one not to underestimate. If he takes to this he can outrun his odds and maybe cause a surprise.
5 – The Big Dog – 10yo – 11st 5lb – Peter Fahey
The winner of the Munster National and Troytown Chase at Navan will have no problem carrying around this kind of weight as shown when lumping around 12st in the Welsh National, but suspicion is that he will find a few too good here, but not without an each way chance.
6 – Capodanno – 7yo – 11st 5lb – W P Mullins
The son of Manduro comes in here very much a dark horse. One with a lot of Grade 1 form to his name comes in off the back of a 3rd behind Janidil in the Red Mills Chase. That was his first run for 298 days and there is a lot to take from not only that run, but also from his form last season to say he could play a massive role here. Unexposed.
7 – Delta Work – 10yo – 11st 4lb – Gordon Elliott
The two-time Cross Country Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival will be looking to better his 3rd place in last year’s Grand National, but I think that might well be the best he can achieve here. A year older now and with ground unlikely to suit, it is hard to see him going two places better but has solid each-way claims.
8 – Sam Brown – 11 – 11st 4lb – Anthony Honeyball
Decent on his day, but extremely hard to see this 11yo play any part in the finish here.
9 – Lifetime Ambition – 8yo – 11st 3lb – Mrs J. Harrington
A bold front runner who if getting into a rhythm up from can run a massive race. Has form in big fields as shown when 2nd to The Big Dog in the Troytown. Not without a chance. Dark horse.
10 – Carefully Selected – 11yo – 11st 1lb – W P Mullins
Backed off the boards to win the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, but was helped by another master class ride from Paul Townend. Had a nice prep in the BobbyJo Chase, but at this age, his chase might have passed. Hard to weigh up.
11 – Coko Beach – 8yo – 11st 0lb – Gordon Elliott
Last years 8th comes in here on the back of a 4th in the Thyestes Chase and winning in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, but there is a lot to suggest that he has left his chance of winning at Punchestown after another hike in the weights.
12 – Longhouse Poet – 9yo – 11st 0lb – Martin Brassil
6th in last year’s National off 1lb higher, but has hit form at the right time with an easier win than the winning margin suggest when at Down Royal last month. The former Thyestes winner is one to keep an eye on. Dangerous.
13 – Galliard du Mesnil – 7yo – 11st 0lb – W P Mullins
Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival winner comes in here with confidence sky-high. Has the class to feature in such a race, but even though this race is run over 4+ miles there will always be a chance that he might be outpaced at a crucial stage. If avoiding that, he has a massive chase.
14 – Darasso – 10yo – 10st 13lb – Joseph O’ Brien
An admirable horse who will give you a run for your money, but highly unlikely that he will play a leading role here.
15 – Le Milos – 8yo – 10st 11lb – Dan Skelton
The Ladbrokes Trophy winner has been laid out for this all season. Had his prep run at Kelso where he was a staying on second, but will need to better all his current form to take this. But with this only being his forth run for Dan Skelton, it’s not hard to see him doing so. Dangerous.
16 – Escaria Ten – 9yo – 10st 10lb – Gordon Elliott
Very hard to make any case for him. Only 9th last season, and will need to sprout wings to be involved.
17 – The Big Breakaway – 8yo – 10st 10lb – Joe Tizzard
A horse that promised to be high class in his younger days and showed something like his old self when taking 2nd in the Betfair Handicap Chase and Welsh National. Below par run at the Cheltenham Festival, but if back to his early season form could run a massive race. Interesting.
18 – Cape Gentleman – 7yo – 10st 8lb – Shark Hanlon
It would take a massive leap of faith to consider backing him. Avoid.
19 – Roi Mage – 11yo – 10st 8lb – Patrick Griffin
Decent horse at a level, but will find this his hardest test yet. Will get a run for your money, but will lack the class to be involved in the finish.
20 – Diol Ker – 9yo – 10st 8lb -Noel Meade
Will need to build on his run behind Coko Beach, but his strong staying 2nd in the Paddy Power Chase would give him an each-way chance.
21 – A Wave Of The Sea – 7yo – 10st 6lb – Joseph O’ Brien
A regular in big handicaps, but all that you can hope for here is a clear round. Look elsewhere.
22 – Minella Trump – 9yo – 10st 6lb – Donald McCain
Will need to have come on a lot from his comeback run to play a role here, but the trainer has a knack of doing well in these races. Has the scalp of Hewick on his CV, but needs to improve a lot for the trip.
23 – Vanillier – 8yo – 10st 6lb – Gavin Cromwell
Would have a chance if he decided that he wanted to jump fences, but wouldn’t be the first time that the Grand National fences turned a horse inside out. Has the talent, but lacks any sort of consistency.
24 – Velvet Elvis – 7yo – 10st 6lb – Thomas Gibney
Ran well behind Any Second Now, but hard to see him being anywhere near good enough to take this. Could gain valuable experience for future targets.
25 – Ain’t That A Shame – 9yo – 10st 5lb – Henry de Bromhead
Ran a massive race in the Munster National where he looked like the winner everywhere bar the line (mistake at the last), and then ran all over the place when also looking like he was going to blot up in the Paddy Power. Certainly has the talent, but looks to have his own ideas about the game. Risky.
26 – Corach Rambler – 9yo – 10st 5lb – Lucinda Russell
The current favourite comes in here on the back of his second win in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Recently we have found out that his jockey Derek Fox is out injured and for me, that is a big negative for his chances with him being a very tricky ride. As much as I like this horse, there is enough there for me to avoid him with his running style not going to suit a race like this either.
27 – Enjoy d’Allen – 9yo – 10st 5lb – Ciaran Murphy
Impossible to fancy. Avoid
28 – Mr Incredible – 7yo – 10st 4lb – W P Mullins
To say this lad has his own way of doing things is an understatement. Has shown his quirks on all three runs for Willie Mullins. Rufued first time out, and then followed them up with runs where it looked like he doesn’t want to give his all. Will travel well into the race, but will need to show all his talent to win here. Lots of questions to answer.
29 – Mister Coffey – 8yo – 10st 4lb – Nicky Henderson
Hates winning, but might run into a place if on a going day.
30 – Cloudy Glen – 10yo – 10st 4lb – Venetia Williams
Impossible to fancy here. Lacks the class.
31 – Hill Sixteen – 10yo – 10st 2lb – Sandy Thomson
Has form over the National fences with a nk 2nd to Snow Leopardess in the Beachers Chase. Could well outrun his massive odds.
32 – Gabbys Cross – 8yo – 10st 2lb – Henry de Bromhead
Trainer has a much better chance with his other runner. Massive surprise where he to be involved.
33 – Recite A Prayer – 10st 1lb – W P Mullins
This would be up there with one of the best training performances of Willie Mullins’s career if he gets Recite A Prayer to win. The form is not good enough.
34 – Eva’s Oskar – 9yo – 10st 1lb – Tim Vaughan
Set an impossible task here.
35 – Our Power – 8yo – 10st 0lb – Sam Thomas
A game-winner last time out, and could be a dark horse off a featherweight. Don’t underestimate.
36 – Dunboyne – 8yo – 10st 0lb – Gordon Elliott
Bounced right back to form with a massive run when just failing to get up in the Thyestes Chase. Gets in here off a featherweight, and he is a horse who could come alive around here. Dark horse.
37 – Francky du Berlais – 10yo – 10st olb – Peter Bowen
On all known form it would be the biggest shock in Grand National history where he to win. Move on.
38 – Fortescue – 9yo – 9st 13lb – Henry Daly
Has shown nothing this season compared to what he was doing last season. Would take a massive leap of faith to go in here in a race of this nature.
39 – Back On The Lash – 9yo – 9st 13lb – Martin Keighley
Cross Country Chase specialist, so wouldn’t be the strangest thing in the world where he to grab a place.
40 – Born By The Sea – 9st 10lb – Paul Gilligan
Absolutely impossible to fancy for and each way place let alone a win. Form nowhere hear up to this level.
Grand National The Top Five
1st – Noble Yeates 12/1
2nd – Longhouse Poet 18/1
3rd – Le Milos 14/1
4th – Dunboyne 66/1
5th – Delta Work 9/1
Dark Horses
Our Power 20/1
Lifetime Ambition 25/1
