The 2024 Grand National field is now set. It is still a race that draws the attention of the wider public, so for those not so familiar with racing, we have analysed every runner in brief below in our pinstickers’ guide.
1. Noble Yeats
(Emmet Mullins/Harry Cobden) 11st 12lb (Trainer/Jockey) (Weight)
2022 winner was fourth aiming for the repeat 12 months ago. Mostly contested hurdles races this term, but mark is still only 1lb lower than a year ago and concedes 4lb and more to all as top weight this year. Great each-way chance yet again, but one or two should be too good.
2. Nassalam
(Gary Moore/Caoilin Quinn) 11st 8lb
Won the Welsh National earlier this term by a mighty 34 lengths in bog-like conditions. Connections will be loving the rain-filled forecast which will bring him firmly into play, but he is 16lb higher in the handicap than he was at Chepstow and pulling up in the Gold Cup not the most ideal prep.
3. Coko Beach
(Gordon Elliott/Jordan Gainford) 11st 8lb
Form of 8P in this race the last two years, but reinvented himself over Cross Country fences in February. Second in the Becher Chase over these fences in December, but mark remains tough to defy, albeit a best effort in this race could be forthcoming. Will probably lead.
4. Capodanno
(Willie Mullins/Keith Donoghue) 11st 8lb
Won Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham before dropping in trip to be fourth in the Ryanair at the Festival. Trainer has often spoken positively about him regarding this race (too keen when pulled up last year) and may settle better to be involved this season.
5. I Am Maximus
(Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 11st 6lb
Came from the clouds to win last year’s Irish National and was hugely impressive with the way he kicked clear to win Fairyhouse prep for this. Big concern about his jumping and can race lazily, but he’s never fallen and will likely finish as strongly as anything if able to keep himself in the race.
Grand National Trends 2024 – All the vital stats for Aintree marathon
There have been many changes to the Grand National over many years, but this renewal will see the field size cut from 40 to 34 which shouldn’t have a huge impact in finding the winner but both Auroras Encore (2013) & Minella Times (2021) were number 35 winners. I’m going to look at the last…
Mon 08 Apr 20246. Minella Indo
(Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 11st 6lb
2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner no longer possesses that level of ability, but remained competitive at Graded level before switch to Cross Country in December. Performed with credit in Cheltenham banks race and feasibly treated if he takes to this. Rachael Blackmore’s mount.
7. Corach Rambler
(Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox) 11st 6lb
Defending champion is 13lb higher than a year ago, but has proven he is close to top class, finishing third in the Gold Cup most recently. Slight worry that he gave his all that day, but would still have a fair bit in hand from the handicapper on that basis and great chance of doubling up.
8. Janidil
(Willie Mullins/Jody McGarvey) 11st 6lb
Was a Grade 1 winning novice chaser in 2021 and regular at top table in the meantime. However, form has fallen off markedly this term and looks a shadow of former self. Can make the odd howler at his fences too.
9. Stattler
(Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) 11st 5lb
3m6f National Hunt Chase winner in 2022 when going through novice chase season unbeaten. No wins since though and most recently disappointed on Cross Country debut. Needs a swift turnaround and may prefer a livelier surface.
10. Mahler Mission
(John McConnell/Ben Harvey) 11st 5lb
Second in Coral Gold Cup earlier this season was top handicap form. Unlucky late faller in previous season’s National Hunt Chase, showing he probably possesses requisite stamina, though received a harsh 7lb rise for Newbury effort and coming into this fresh might not be ideal.
11. Delta Work
(Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 11st 4lb
Third in this in 2022, then unseated at the 21st last year. Was far from out of the reckoning at the time and is a two-time Cheltenham Cross Country champion on a fair enough mark. However, that prep was snatched away by the weather in March and jumped poorly a year ago.
12. Foxy Jacks
(Mouse Morris/Gavin Brouder) 11st 4lb
Won a Cross Country handicap at Cheltenham in November, form which was franked when the runner-up won a similar race the following month. Has not run this calendar year, which is a trends negative, but his handicap chase form over 3m and further reads 2131 and he could be a lively outsider.
13. Galvin
(Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 11st 2lb
Drifted markedly late on when unseating (virtually brought down) at the first a year ago. Mid-division finishes in two Cross Country chases have seen his mark tumble 11lb, which looks very generous. Unlikely runner if ground is testing, but could be very well-treated if getting a clearer run at the first this time.
14. Farouk D’alene
(Gordon Elliott/Donagh Meyler) 11st 1lb
Grade 2 winning novice chaser who returned from long layoff earlier this term. Chase form this season would be nowhere near good enough, but did show promise over hurdles at Christmas. Pulled up at Cheltenham though and likely to find at least a few better off.
15. Eldorado Allen
(Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) 11st 0lb
Classy British chaser at his best, winning at Grade 2 level and being a regular in Grade 1 races. Fourth in Coral Gold Cup was a solid run off 1lb higher than this, but pulled up in Ultima at Cheltenham. Now 3lb wrong at the weights and never been the most convincing stayer.
Top 10 Grand National Winners This Century – Do You Agree or Disagree?
The Grand National’s rich history means debate over which winners supersede others is only natural. At GG, we have ranked our top 10 winners of the race since 2000 below, with a surprise name perhaps coming out on top. 1. Many Clouds Tiger Roll may have been the history maker, but we never got the…
Tue 09 Apr 202416. Ain’t That A Shame
(Henry De Bromhead/David Maxwell) 10st 13lb
Rachael Blackmore’s mount last year when last of 17 finishers. Went off just 10/1 12 months ago off the back of a consistent season. Less reliable this term, but did win Grade 3 Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last time out. Punished by the handicapper for it though and now 6lb higher than last year.
17. Vanillier
(Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) 10st 12lb
Nearest at the finish when runner-up last year. Whole campaign has been geared around going one better and mark is generous off what he achieved a year ago. Prep run was a little underwhelming and while he will stay this better than any rival in the field, there is a query about him on genuinely testing ground.
18. Mr Incredible
(Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) 10st 11lb
One for Disney fans, but one for plenty of racing fans too. In contention when unshipping his rider at the Canal Turn last year and re-emerged in fine fettle when second in the Midlands National last month. Would want as much rain to fall as possible to really boost his chances, but he’s in the mix.
19. Run Wild Fred
(Gordon Elliott/Tom Hamilton) 10st 10lb
Fell at the Canal Turn when sent off 8/1 second favourite in this two years ago. Total nosedive in form since, with only decent run this term coming in muddling Munster National in October. Failed to complete on his last three starts.
20. Latenightpass
(Tom Ellis/Gina Andrews) 10st 10lb
Top class hunter chaser and point-to-pointer for a number of years before some spins round Cheltenham’s Cross Country course for Dan Skelton. Won with authority on his second try against top class horses and hurdles prep at Haydock should have him spot on for this. Back with pointing yard, but in calculations if no disruption from that.
21. Minella Crooner
(Gordon Elliott/Kevin Sexton) 10st 10lb
Confusing chaser who shapes as though marathon tests will be ideal but who has flattered to deceive whenever tried beyond 3m. Difficult to get a gauge on as a result and officially 6lb wrong at the weights since they were announced in February.
22. Adamantly Chosen
(Willie Mullins/Sean O’Keeffe) 10st 9lb
Not one of the brighter lights at Willie Mullins’ yard but arrives here off a probable career best at Down Royal winning on his first try beyond 3m, boding well for his stamina. His rivals may have flattered him though and earlier handicap form this season not that encouraging.
23. Mac Tottie
(Peter Bowen/James Bowen) 10st 9lb
Course veteran who claimed the Grand Sefton-Topham double over 2m5f over the famous fences in the 2021/22 season. Also a winner over the regular fences here earlier this term, but attempts beyond 3m have never gone that well for him. Track experience may only count for so much.
24. Chemical Energy
(Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) 10st 9lb
Another for Gordon Elliott who can blow hot and cold, but best form came when second in 3m6f National Hunt Chase in 2023. Winner went on to be third in this last year running off 8lb higher than this eight-year-old. Kept fresh since September, which is unusual, but he does go well after a break.
25. Limerick Lace
(Gavin Cromwell/Mark Walsh) 10st 8lb
The mount of owner’s retained rider Mark Walsh. Won the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month and was second in the Troytown Handicap at Navan in November over 3m. Stamina a big unknown, but form has rocketed on this season and may well be involved.
Andrew Mount’s Myth Busters – The Grand National is a Lottery
It is the race that so often bewilders and amazes punters and pundits, but is the Grand National really such an unpredictable lottery? That is the question Andrew Mount seeks to answer below, with his latest Myth Busters column focusing on the world’s greatest steeplechase. After Mon Mome’s 100-1 Grand National victory in 2009 the…
Tue 09 Apr 202426. Meetingofthewaters
(Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 10st 8lb
Plenty of National winners have emerged from Cheltenham handicaps, with this horse having finished third in the Ultima Handicap Chase four weeks ago. That was a worryingly gruelling edition, but may have had enough time to recover and has not been stopping in two starts over 3m+ this term.
27. The Goffer
(Gordon Elliott/Sean Bowen) 10st 8lb
Respectable efforts in handicap company at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, particularly in 2023 Ultima which worked out very well form-wise. However, stamina likely to give out at a certain point and 3lb wrong at the weights after fifth at this year’s Festival.
28. Roi Mage
(Patrick Griffin/James Reveley) 10st 8lb
Not beaten all that far when seventh last year, finishing just five lengths out the frame. Has generally performed to a similar level again this term at the age of 12 and is 2lb lower this time around, so a decent finish could be on the cards again, though unlikely too close to the winner.
29. Glengouly
(Willie Mullins/Michael O’Sullivan) 10st 7lb
Only had seven runs over fences, although that is less of a barrier to success in the National these days. Runner-up efforts on heavy at Limerick and Gowran suggest conditions will suit, but staying power very much unknown and was 16th of 17 finishers at Cheltenham on his latest start.
30. Galia Des Liteaux
(Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) 10st 7lb
No mare has won this for 73 years, but eight-year-old has relished testing ground before. Looked all about stamina when second in Warwick’s Classic Chase and recent start too bad to be true. Probably has a bit to find on ratings, but possible she finds it for trainer who mopped up at Cheltenham.
31. Panda Boy
(Martin Brassil/JJ Slevin) 10st 7lb
Has safely made the 34 after doubt in the build-up. Not won over fences since chase debut, but has form in handicap chases of 3F52, all in top races in Ireland. Shrewd yard have clearly geared his season around this, so every chance he is in the mix each-way.
32. Eklat De Rire
(Henry De Bromhead/Darragh O’Keeffe) 10st 7lb
Promised big things as a novice chaser, but endured long spells off the track since. Some hope offered by Fairyhouse second in February, but pulled up at Cheltenham taking his handicap record over fences to P08P. Not stable’s first string either.
33. Chambard
(Venetia Williams/Lucy Turner) 10st 7lb
Veteran and former Cheltenham Festival winner who loved his first trip over these fences in December’s Becher Chase. 6lb higher in obviously tougher race here, and in poor recent form, but not too much of a surprise if this brings out the best in him. One of the livelier outsiders.
34. Kitty’s Light
(Christian Williams/Jack Tudor) 10st 7lb
Reigning Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup hero, races he won within a week last year. Form this season not on par, but that’s been the case before and he will have been plotted for this since last spring. Ground something of a worry, but stays and jumps well so has to be in calculations.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.