Aintree Grand National Guide 2023

Last year’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats looks to retain his title after winning in the hands of amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. Has run some good races since that win last year, winning a couple of races at Wexford and here at Aintree before finishing third in 3m 1f Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January.

Went well again to finish fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month and is up 19 lbs from last year’s Grand National success. Still one to not take lightly as he bids for back-to-back Nationals.

Experienced chaser with eight career chasing wins under his belt, with the last of those coming at Down Royal in March last year, beating Agusta Gold by just under two lengths over the 3m 2f course.

Has been inconsistent since, falling in 3m 6f handicap at Cheltenham in January before finishing second to Longhouse Poet at Down Royal in the race he won in 2022. Others make more appeal given he is prone to mistakes.

Extremely experienced runner for Paul Gilligan, winning a couple of chases in his career at Galway and Wetherby. 14th in this year’s Magners Plate at the Cheltenham festival last month and has been in very average form for a while.

Best days are in the past for this nine-year-old who goes off 137 for this year’s National. An unlikely winner.

Ted Walsh sends Any Second Now to the Grand National for the third year, after being unlucky not to win it so far. Second to Noble Yeats last year and third to Balko Des Flos and Minella Times the year before, he is looking to make it third time lucky this time around.

Won the Webster Cup Chase last month at Navan over 2m 4f and comes into this one ready for another big run. Absolutely not dismissed on his national form and he could go one better here.

Talented jockey Michael O’Sullivan takes the ride on one of Willie Mullins’ runners in this year’s National on Carefully Selected. Lightly raced for an 11-year-old with just seven runs over fences for the top Irish trainer, winning four of those, included graded wins but most of those came in 2021.

First try over 4m 2f for the 11-year-old, whose only previous outing above 3m 1f came in the National Hunt Chase back in 2020, where he unseated his rider. Tough test but the booking of the young O’Sullivan is interesting.

Fairly lightly raced for an 11-year-old, Sam Brown makes his Grand National debut after having a few runs here over the last few years, winning 3m Betway Handicap Chase at last year’s Grand National meeting and finishing fifth in the Many Clouds chase in December.

Has made no impression on his last few runs and has now had a breathing operation in the lead up to this. Likely to stay the trip but this is tougher.

Gordon Elliott’s talented ten-year-old Delta Work makes his second Grand National appearance this year after finishing a decent third in last year’s renewal, behind Any Second Now and 50/1 winner Noble Yeats. Arrives at Ainree this year after making it back-to-back wins in the 3m 6f Cross Country at Cheltenham last month, beating Galvin by two and a half lengths.

Can see him going very close this year again, ran out of steam a bit in last year’s Grand National but he should be better this time around. One of the leading players in this 40-runner field.

Joseph O’Brien ten-year-old who has been in patchy form in recent times, finishing last of four last time in Gowran Park Red Mills Chase after finishing fifth in 1m 7f Naas grade three hurdle. Won 2m 6f Thurles chase back in December but will be his first 4m 2f effort in the hands of Luke Dempsey.

Goes off 154 here and looks up against it on Grand National debut. One to dismiss.

Aidan Coleman rides Peter Fahey’s The Big Dog in the Grand National on Saturday, with the ten-year-old making his Grand National debut after falling in the 3m Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in February. The trip shouldn’t be an issue for him, with himself finishing third in the Welsh Grand National back in December at Chepstow.

This feels like a strong renewal of the national, but he is a good stayer and one not to be taken lightly.

Improving chaser who has won his last two starts over fences, triumphing in 2m 7f Ascot handicap in October before beating Flegmatik by a neck to claim Kempton handicap last time out in February. Fifth in the Ultima at Cheltenham last year, where fellow runner Corach Rambler claimed victory.

First go at this marathon trip and if he stays, he could be right in the mix towards the end with his sound jumping. Minella Times won this from number 35 for the superstitious punters.

Ten-year-old experienced runner who boasts six wins over fences in his career, albeit last one came last year. Tries his first marathon trip here following a decent run in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month, before he refused the last when third and going well.

Shaped to stay the 4m 2f trip and could do well at around 80/1 currently in the market. Probably won’t win but worth a small each-way bet.

Venetia Williams sends Cloudy Glen to the Grand National after being pulled up in the Ultima Handicap last month at Cheltenham when struggling before three out. Runner up in the Kim Muir a couple of years ago at the Cheltenham festival but has failed to push on from that.

Williams has had success in this over the years, but Cloudy Glen would be a surprising winner.

Noel Meade’s nine-year-old Diol Ker has done ok in large field handicaps, finishing second in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December but was disappointing tenth in Punchestown 3m 4f handicap in February, won by fellow runner Coko Beach.

Steps up in trip here and has much more to find if he is to run a good race. Kieren Buckley takes the ride.

Nine-year-old Eva’s Oskar arrives at the Grand National after finishing fourth in 4m 1f handicap at Newcastle in February, behind No Cruise Yet, The Galloping Bear and winner Kitty’s Light. Won a 3m 2f handicap at Cheltenham in December which was probably the highlight of his 2022 in decent company.

Would be an unlikely winner but an each-way bet at around 40’s might not be the worst shout for this nine-year-old.

Seventh on last run at this course in December, behind the likes of Fortescue and Ashtown Lad before finishing last of ten at Kelso last month in 3m 2f handicap. Last win over fences came back in 2020 at Ffos Las and has his first go over 4m 2f here.

Ryan Mania rode the 2013 winner of this and Hill Sixteen should probably stay the trip. Would be a shock winner, though.

147-rated chaser who has had just three runs since 2021, winning a couple of class two and three contests at Perth before finishing last of seven in Bangor-on-Dee hurdle outing last month. Has good winning form over 2m 4f-2m 7f but at a much lesser level than this.

Won seven races in 2021 but would be a shock winner of this year’s National.

Once a very strong chaser but too inconsistent for Gordon Elliott’s liking. Third in the Irish Gold Cup behind Stattler and Galopin Des Chamos would be the highlight in the last year or so before finishing sixth in the 2m 4f Ryanair at the Cheltenham festival last month.

First effort for this gelding above three miles which may suit him. One of eight for Elliott in this contest and might be worth a small each-way bet.

Nine-year-old Back On The Lash makes his Aintree debut here after being pulled up before the 16th having always been in the rear in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month. Decent effort when winning 3m 6f chase at the same course in January as well as finishing third at the same course in November over 3m 3f, behind Eva’s Oskar and Does He Know.

This will be a tougher assignment for him and would be a surprising winner of this against runners who have better form and experience of the track.

Gordon Elliott’s nine-year-old Galvin arrives at the Grand National for the first time after finishing two and a half lengths behind winner Delta Work in the 3m 6f Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month. That was his first effort over that trip and he did well to finish runner-up, and we know he’s got talent as he is a multiple graded winner at the likes of Punchestown and Cheltenham.

Davy Russell is back on board here, seeking his third Grand National win and Galvin could do well here over the 4m 2f trip for the first time.

Dan Skelton’s Le Milos makes his Aintree debut bang in-form, having won four of his last six races over fences at Exeter, Sandown, Bangor-on-Dee and Newbury. Impressive in the Coral Gold Cup handicap back in November before three quarters of a length second to Empire Steel last time out in Premier Chase at Kelso last month.

Should stay the trip and one to watch on the day as he could go well on his Grand National debut.

140-rated chaser who has had a couple of runs at Aintree, finishing fourth in 3m 1f handicap in December behind Percussion, Gesskille and Ashtown Lad. Unseated his rider in this contest last year and hasn’t been in the same form since winning 2m 7f Ascot handicap in February last year.

Would be a shock winner and he’s hard to fancy.

Nicky Henderson sends Mister Coffey to the Grand National in a bid to claim his first ever winner in the 4m 2f contest. Ran here back in April last year in the Topham but finished a disappointing 16th before a run of second, second and third on his last three runs.

The last of those came in the National Hunt Chase over 3m 5f at Cheltenham last month, where only Chemical Energy and Gaillard Du Mesnil were better than him. Doubts over his ability to stay the 4m 2f trip make it hard for Henderson to claim his first winner in this contest.

Martin Brassil’s nine-year-old Longhouse Poet returns for a second go at the Grand National, having finished sixth last year when maybe a bit too keen. Warmed up for this when winning 3m 2f Down Royal chase last month, just over a length ahead of Roi Mage.

Off the same mark this time around and needs to settle better if he is going to make a challenge for victory.

Gordon Elliott sends eight-year-old 155-rated chaser Coko Beach to the Grand National after finishing eighth in this last year, a fair way away from winner Noble Yeats. Seventh in the Irish Grand National back in 2021 and hadn’t won for two years when he scored at Punchestown in February over 3m 4f.

Unlikely to win but experience of marathon trips may help him more than others. Others probably preferred, though.

2021 Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore rides Ain’t That A Shame in this year’s Grand National, after the nine-year-old landed his first victory over fences last time out at Gowran Park, fending off Macs Charm to win the 2m 4f contest by six lengths.

He finished 13th in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year over 3m 2f and now has his first go over the marathon 4m 2f in this year’s Grand National. Could go well again on his first marathon trip.

Ciaran Murphy sends nine-year-old Enjoy D’allen to the Grand National after finishing sixth in the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, a fair way behind fellow runner Vanillier and winner Kemboy. Hasn’t won since 2021 and unseated his rider in last year’s National, won by Noble Yeats.

An unlikely winner on recent form.

Adrian Heskin rides nine-year-old Escaria Ten for Gordon Elliott in this year’s National, with the gelding struggling in recent times, pulling up in the 2m 4f Magners Plate at Cheltenham last month after finishing seventh in Gowran Park handicap in January.

Decent stayer in the past and his best days are behind him, hard to fancy here and would be a shock winner.

Fairly experienced chaser who is probably capable of more than he has shown in recent times, pulling up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month after finishing second in Welsh Grand National in December, just over a length behind The Two Amigos.

Performed well as a novice chaser in 2021/22 but has been inconsistent over the last year, not finishing on a few occasions. Might be worth an each-way bet at 40’s if returning to somewhere near his best.

Gavin Cromwell sends eight-year-old Vanillier to the Grand National after finishing a very good second behind Kemboy in the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase over 3m 1f at Fairyhouse in January. Had been on a poor run of form beforehand but this gelding has won grade one hurdle outings over 3m in the past.

Is a good stayer and should have no issues with the 4m 2f trip and if keeping mistakes minimal, could roll back the times and run a good race.

Experienced runner who is a good jumper, showcasing that ability to win 3m Limerick chase back in March last year but has been a bit below-par since. Best effort came when finishing three and a half lengths behind The Big Dog in 3m Navan handicap in November and fourth in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles in January.

Unsure if he will stay the 4m 2f trip with his last few runs coming over 2m 4f and 2m 7f, others are preferred on both form and staying probability.

Henry De Bromhead sends Gabbys Cross here with Peter Carberry on board, with Rachael Blackmore switching to stablemate Ain’t That A Shame. Last win came at Galway in July last year but ran on well to finish third in 3m Naas handicap last month behind History Of Fashion and Espanito Bello.

One of the bigger priced outsiders who is shaped to stay the trip and an each-way bet at around 66’s would be hard to turn down.

Joseph O’Brien sends seven-year-old A Wave Of The Sea to the Grand National after pulling up in the Grand Annual at last month’s Cheltenham festival and his only chasing wins have come at much shorter distances than this.

Unsure if he will stay the 4m 2f marathon trip and others are fancied more in better form.

Gordon Elliott’s 141-rated chaser who claimed his first victory over fences in muddy Gowran Park handicap back in November, beating Street Value by ten lengths before pulling up at Fairyhouse. Second at Gowran Park next time out before fourth in this year’s Kim Muir Handicap at the Cheltenham festival last month.

Heads here for first go over marathon trip and could run well again. Unlikely winner but might be worth a small each-way play.

Good chaser at his best and did well to finish fourth in the hands of Brian Hayes behind Agusta Gold, Minella Crooner and winner Velvet Elvis at Fairyhouse in February. Hasn’t won since 2021 and has much more to find here.

All his wins have come at a shorter distance than this and it would be a shock if he won.

One of four for Willie Mullins in this year’s Grand National, who won this once back in 2005. Smart gelding who won last month’s 3m 5f National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham festival, staying on well to beat Chemical Energy by just under three lengths.

Finished third in the Irish Grand National last year, behind Frontal Assault and Lord Lariat. Proven stayer but wasn’t his smoothest run-in last month’s National Hunt. Will probably be in the mix, though.

One of four for Willie Mullins, Capodanno arrives here in decent nick, having won two of his six starts over fences at Naas and Punchestown. Finished fourth in last year’s Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham festival behind the likes of Ahoy Senor and L’Homme Presse before winning grade one novice at Punchestown and finishing third in Red Mills Chase last time out.

Unproven over this trip but stamina shouldn’t be an issue for the seven-year-old who could run a big race for Willie Mullins, who has only won this once in his career.

Lucinda Russell sends nine-year-old Corach Rambler to the Grand National for the first time, after winning the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham festival two years in a row. Beat Fastorslow by a neck at last month’s festival to arrive here as one of the leading players.

Last month’s Ultima win was a class round of jumping and he took his chance to quicken at the end to claim victory. Makes his first start over 4m 2f but he is a good stayer and he has chances to win here.

One of leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins’ runners in this year’s Grand National, a contest the Irishman has only won once in 2005. Arrives off around a four-month break after finishing 20th in Leopardstown handicap over 3m in December and looks like one of Mullins’ less-fancied runners in this company.

May struggle in this and it is his first marathon effort.

Velvet Elvis comes here off the back of a couple of good runs over fences, winning 2m 7f Fairyhouse chase in February before finishing second in the Grade Two Webster Cup at Navan last month, seven lengths behind winner Any Second Now.

Sixth in last year’s Irish Grand National over 3m 5f, not too far away from winner Lord Lariat but tired towards the end and this marathon trip is unchartered territory for the seven-year-old. Hard to see him coming close here.

Willie Mullins sends seven-year-old Mr Incredible to this year’s Grand National after finishing third in the Kim Muir Handicap over 3m 2f at Cheltenham last month, finishing behind Stumptown and Angels Dawn. Shapes to stay and despite an inconsistent run of form over fences in the last year, has experience over trips closer to 4m 2f (second in 3m 5f Warwick handicap in January).

Could run a big race here although it is a tough test. Not dismissed for a top yard.