The 2024 Grand National weights lunch may have altered the betting markets for the big race, but the sheer scale of Irish dominance was the main headline maker after the remaining 87 entries and qualifiers learned their fate. If all were to stand their ground, 27 of the 34 participants would be trained in Ireland for this year’s National, which will be run on Saturday, 13th April.
Even if the field had remained at a maximum size of 40, 80% (32/40) would be representing the visiting team. That includes the top five in the weights, with only three British-trained entrants within the top 20. It is a stark look for the hosts, whose 31 remaining entries across the board would not even be enough to fill the race were Irish runners disallowed.
That said, although the British runners are the losers from a numerical perspective, their hopes are far from forlorn when checking the betting. Defending champion Corach Rambler may have lost his share of favouritism generally upon announcement of the weights, but three of the top seven in the market are trained in the British Isles, with one each representing England, Scotland and Wales.
The big winner at the weights was hailed to be last season’s runner-up Vanillier, who is rated just 4lb above last season’s mark for the race. Trainer Gavin Cromwell has had a successful season in sending runners over to Britain and will be hoping to add the greatest jumps racing prize of all come April.
The 10st 8lb he will carry is dependent on the running of King George hero Hewick, who is an intended runner for Shark Hanlon should he come out of a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in fine health. His mark of 169 would be the highest of a Grand National runner since Suny Bay ran off the same rating in 1999.