Grand National 2024 – Runners and riders – Who will win?

The final 34-runner line-up has been confirmed for today’s 2024 Grand National. Noble Yeats, the champion in 2022, will carry the most weight, with Nassalam, Coko Beach and Capodanno running 4lb lighter.

Last year’s winner, Corach Rambler, is the clear favourite, having finished an impressive third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. Corach Rambler will carry 11st 5lb, but the handicapper would surely have asked him to shoulder more weight had his run at Cheltenham come before, not after, the official weights were announced in February.

JP McManus has an extremely strong hand in this and his fancy is Limerick Lace who is also chosen by Mark Walsh so she must have a strong chance of being in the mix. If winning it would be great reward for Gavin Cromwell’s hard work.

At the bottom of the weights the well-backed Kitty’s Light would be an emotional winner for her trainer and their family.

Odds are supplied by Betfred, are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change

01 Noble Yeats (IRE)

Noble Yeats (IRE)
TRAINER  Emmet Mullins
JOCKEY  Harry Cobden
WEIGHT  11st 12lb
ODDS  22/1
Who needs Willie Mullins when you can have his nephew Emmet? He won the race for Sam Waley-Cohen, the last amateur to ride the winner, in 2022. The first thing this Mullins does is cast convention out of the window. Has reinvented this horse as a staying hurdler having won the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January and seventh in Strayers. Good fourth last year, good each-way chance again but handicapper usually sees to it that horses do not win it twice

02 Nassalam (FR)

Nassalam (FR)
TRAINER  Gary Moore
JOCKEY  Caoilin Quinn
WEIGHT  11st 8lb
ODDS  40/1
No one would begrudge the Moore family or John and Yvonne Stone a Grand National winner. Runaway winner of the Welsh National in December when he was the only horse to handle the appalling conditions. Margin of Chepstow win flattered him but handicapper has taken it too literally as proved when pulled up in Gold Cup and there is no way he should be giving Corach Rambler weight. He has won on good to soft but really thrives when it is almost unraceable. Went round Aintree when a staying on fourth in the Becher Chase in November. Much in his favour if the handicapper is right.

03 Coko Beach (FR)

Coko Beach (FR)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Jordan Gainford
WEIGHT  11st 8lb
ODDS  20/1
The grey has never been in better form than he has this season; winning the Troytown Chase, finishing second to Chambard in the Becher Chase at Aintree and adapting to cross-country fences at Punchestown as if he were born to it on his last start. Jack Kennedy, his jockey that day, said he didn’t know who enjoyed it more, him or the horse. That opens up options but he has run in two Nationals running out of petrol both times and the fact remains that a jockey riding him in the marathon is always going to set off with range anxiety. But why not try again when he is in the form of his life?

04 Capodanno (FR)

Capodanno (FR)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Keith Donoghue
WEIGHT  11st 8lb
ODDS  33/1
A Grade One winner over jumps and gave several British Gold Cup each-way shots a reality check when winning the Cotswold Chase in January. That will not have done his handicap mark much good with the National in mind. Fourth in Ryanair since. A touch of class but pulled up before the last fence behind Corach Rambler a year ago which leaves a slight question mark over his stamina for an extreme distance. Maybe more of a winning chance in the Topham?

05 I Am Maximus (FR)

I Am Maximus (FR)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Paul Townend
WEIGHT  11st 6lb
ODDS  7/1
Originally bought by Henrietta Knight for the late Mike Grech, he was sold to JP McManus shortly before he won last year’s Irish National in good style. The last horse to complete the double was Numbersixvalverde in 2006 and, before him, Bobbyjo in 1999 – maybe it is time for another. Returned to Fairyhouse to win a Grade 2 at the start of this season, has chased round Galopin Des Champs on his last two starts before running superb trial in Bobbyjo Chase. Looks well in and excellent chance of a third McManus win.

06 Minella Indo (IRE)

Minella Indo (IRE)
TRAINER  Henry De Bromhead
JOCKEY  Rachael Blackmore
WEIGHT  11st 6lb
ODDS  16/1
Not the force of old but would he have to be? Bidding to become only the third horse (after Golden Miller and L’Escargot) in 100 years of the Gold Cup to win that race and the National. Won it in 2021 and was runner up to A Plus Tard a year later. Fourth on his cross-country debut at Cheltenham in December, could take in the same course on his way to the National. Modern Nationals seem to be won by young horses on the upgrade rather than vice versa but the class act of the race.

07 Corach Rambler (IRE)

Corach Rambler (IRE)
TRAINER  Lucinda Russell
JOCKEY  Derek Fox
WEIGHT  11st 6lb
ODDS  7/1
Last year’s winner. Only a handful of horses have come back and won it again although they are often good each-way shots. Needed first start since at Kelso and looked the one to take out of the Betfair Chase when third to Royal Pagaille in terms of both Gold Cup and National. Good third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham which makes him 3lbs well in here. Won last year off 10st 5lbs, the handicapper has given him a big chance.

08 Janidil (FR)

Janidil (FR)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Jody McGrarvey
WEIGHT  11st 6lb
ODDS  66/1
Grade One novice chase winner who went on to be placed in Ryanair Chase and Irish Gold Cup. Probably just short of very top class but consistent enough to prevent the handicapper forgiving him which means he is between the two awful stools in jump racing; not good enough to win a Grade One, too much weight in a handicap. Big if about the trip and not the most reliable jumper; enough Fs in his past for that to be a worry. Warmed up with a run round at the back in the Stayers Hurdle.

09 Stattler (IRE)

Stattler (IRE)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  PW Mullins
WEIGHT  11st 5lb
ODDS  40/1
Owned by Scottish potato baron, Ronnie Bartlett. Fourth in the Albert Bartlett behind Vanillier. Went back and won the National Hunt Chase the next year, no one questioning his stamina. Ran Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs to eighth lengths in Irish Gold Cup but he found the Cheltenham Gold Cup run a stride too fast for him. Did not exactly take to cross-country like a duck to water last time but a touch of class and might enjoy the rhythm of a National. There are worse 50-1 shots.

10 Mahler Mission (IRE)

Mahler Mission (IRE)
TRAINER  John McConnell
JOCKEY  Ben Harvey
WEIGHT  11st 5lb
ODDS  11/1
Usually fitted with special shoes to combat the age-old thoroughbred condition: flat feet. His sire Mahler (second St Leger, third Melbourne Cup) is a strong influence on stamina. Four lengths clear in last year’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham when falling at the second last marked him out as a big player in staying chases for this season. Runner up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November when he was beaten by just over three lengths and lost both front shoes in the process. Would not be the first placed horse in the big Newbury handicap to go on and win a National. Only went up 4lbs for that so comfortably gets into a 34-runner National.

11 Delta Work (FR)

Delta Work (FR)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Jack Kennedy
WEIGHT  11st 4lb
ODDS  20/1
Multiple Grade One-chase winner in the past including Irish Gold Cup in 2020. Fifth in a Cheltenham Gold Cup, reinvented as a cross-country specialist and earned notoriety for piddling on Tiger Rolls chips by beating the two-time National winner on his swan-song in 2022. One can’t help wondering if he has had his chances; third behind Noble Yeats two years ago, unseated jockey at 21st when going ok last year but coming down the handicap.

12 Foxy Jacks (IRE)

Foxy Jacks (IRE)
TRAINER  MF Morris
JOCKEY  Gavin Brouder
WEIGHT  11st 4lb
ODDS  33/1
Took a heavy fall in the Topham two years ago after removing considerable amounts of spruce from several others before the ninth got him. Took a while to work it out as a cross-country horse but it has been the making of him and he now appears to know where to put his feet. Beat Latenightpass in Cheltenham’s Cross-Country in November and the runner up went back and won the December version. Not fussy about the ground, trainer knows what’s required. Not straightforward but could go well at a decent each-way price. Another which has not run this year.

13 Galvin (IRE)

Galvin (IRE)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Sam Ewing
WEIGHT  11st 2lb
ODDS  40/1
Another nearly very good horse. Won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 21. Won the Grade One Savills Chase next season and good fourth behind A Plus Tard in Gold Cup. Came back last year as a cross-country horse and, after beating Delta Work, was quite fancied to give Davy Russell a good send off in his last National. He did that in a fashion sending the jockey into orbit at the first. Any horse could be forgiven for falling so early in last year’s race so don’t rule out and see how he goes in this year’s cross-country first.

14 Farouk D’alene (FR)

Farouk D’alene (FR)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Donagh Meyler
WEIGHT  11st 1lb
ODDS  80/1
Jumping could be the problem here. Good chaser on his day but consecutive falls in the 2022 Brown Advisory and, after a year off, in this season’s Troytown does not inspire confidence that he will get round. Still, jumping not a prerequisite for winning a modern National. Could be good enough though. He was cantering just behind L’Homme Presse when coming down two out in the Brown Advisory so, if he can retrieve it, ability there. Took a big step in returning to form when second in a hurdle recently but one step forward, one back – he pulled up in Pertemps Final last start.

15 Eldorado Allen (FR)

Eldorado Allen (FR)
TRAINER  Joe Tizzard
JOCKEY  Brendan Powell
WEIGHT  11st 0lb
ODDS  66/1
Has not won since We Don’t Talk About Bruno was number one and he beat Royale Pagaille in the Denman Chase at Newbury. But has been bridesmaid to Bravemansgame and Protektorat since and was a good fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December. Probably needs a bit of help from the handicapper if he is get on the scoresheet soon. Pulled up in Ultima when trainer said he made a noise which is usually indicative of a wind problem. Good jumper, class is in there somewhere and Aintree could bring it out.

16 Ain’t That A Shame (IRE)

Ain’t That A Shame (IRE)
TRAINER  Henry De Bromhead
JOCKEY  David Maxwell
WEIGHT  10st 13lb
ODDS  33/1
Good old chaser who usually pays his way. Won the biggest race of his career when taking the Thyestes Chase at Gowran last time and subsequently bought by owner-rider David Maxwell. All his wins have come on the heavy. Job to know if he was held up or couldn’t go the pace in last year’s race but briefly moved up after Valentine’s second time before fading again to finish 17th and last for Rachael Blackmore. If it’s a dry and sunny April they’ll be thinking ain’t that a shame because wetter the better for this one but should give Mr Maxwell a good spin.

17 Vanillier (FR)

Vanillier (FR)
TRAINER  Gavin Cromwell
JOCKEY  Sean Flanagan
WEIGHT  10st 12lb
ODDS  12/1
A gallant two and a quarter length runner up to Corach Rambler in last year’s race despite being 12 lengths down at the last, Gavin Cromwell’s grey came up just short. One wonders if ridden a bit closer to the action on the second circuit if it might have been a different story and this time, instead of giving 1lb, he’ll be receiving 8lbs. Once a winner of the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham he seems to save his best form for the spring but has not set the world on fire in three starts this season and though he was comfortably beaten by I Am Maximus last time, not one to rule out.

18 Mr Incredible (IRE)

Mr Incredible (IRE)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Brian Hayes
WEIGHT  10st 11lb
ODDS  12/1
Not the Mullins number one last year but had a good profile in the race having finished second in the Warwick Classic and third in the Kim Muir. In midfield when the saddle slipped – there’s always one – at the Canal Turn second time and it was bye-bye Brian Hayes. Did not start last season until Christmas but took that to a new level this season, not running until Midlands National in mid-March but ran a cracker in second. Once refused to race but victory would not be the biggest shock in history of the race.

19 Run Wild Fred (IRE)

Run Wild Fred (IRE)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  T Hamilton
WEIGHT  10st 10lb
ODDS  40/1
It’s been a while. Last win was in the Troytown in 2021 but did run a good second in an Irish National. Also runner up in the 2022 National Hunt Chase with Vanillier behind him in third. Stamina not an issue. Fell at Canal Turn behind Noble Yeats and 10 days later in the Irish. Brought down in a four horse race time before last so confidence might not be at all time high and pulled up at Cheltenham meaning he has failed to complete on his last three starts. Needs a massive turn around.

20 Latenightpass (GB)

Latenightpass (GB)
TRAINER  Tom Ellis
JOCKEY  Gina Andrews
WEIGHT  10st 10lb
ODDS  33/1
Well named (by Passing Glance out of Midnightdip) if he gets in the race the 11-year-old will be a big focus of attention in the build-up to April 13 – owned and bred by Pippa Ellis and ridden by her extremely capable daughter-in-law, point-to-point champion Gina Andrews. He has spent most of his career in the point-to-point field trained by Gina’s husband Tom Ellis, he has already won an Aintree Foxhunters over the fences and has been a revelation in cross-countries at Cheltenham this season. If the race still goes to the best story, look no further and he would be the first genuine hunter chaser to win since Grittar in early 1980s.

21 Minella Crooner (IRE)

Minella Crooner (IRE)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Kevin Sexton
WEIGHT  10st 10lb
ODDS  100/1
Stopped very quickly in last year’s National Hunt Chase. Made a good comeback from that winning a hard fought chase in the mud at Wexford but, again, pulled up sharply four out in a three and three quarter mile chase at Fairyhouse. Pulled up at Cheltenham too. There may have been reasons but I think Sherlock Holmes would deduce that he does not get extreme distances.

22 Adamantly Chosen (IRE)

Adamantly Chosen (IRE)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Sean O’Keefe
WEIGHT  10st 9lb
ODDS  33/1
Could be the surprise package in the Mullins team. Did not look like he got three miles in a horsebox until he bolted up in a three and a quarter mile chase at Down Royal last time while we were all recovering from Cheltenham. Beat Roi Mage there by 14 lengths. That will have done his confidence no harm and as a Grade One runner up in the past maybe he has just been out of form for a year. Maybe not the most obvious Mullins runner but not the worst.

23 Mac Tottie (GB)

Mac Tottie (GB)
TRAINER  Peter Bowen
JOCKEY  James Bowen
WEIGHT  10st 9lb
ODDS  66/1
West Wales trainer has an extraordinary record in the Topham having won it five times, once with this fella. This one has to be considered an Aintree specialist having won a Grand Sefton as well as the Topham. The big greens bring the best out of him. Only blip was a fall at The Chair in the Becher Chase a few years ago. Has never actually won – placed a few times – over three miles so trip a question mark but nothing to lose having a shot.

24 Chemical Energy (IRE)

Chemical Energy (IRE)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Danny Gilligan
WEIGHT  10st 9lb
ODDS  40/1
Good sort not seen since finishing sixth in the Kerry National in September. Runner-up in last season’s National Hunt Chase behind Galliard Du Mesnil after being left in front at the second last when Mahler Mission fell but could not sustain his four-length advantage at the last. Disappointed in Irish National after that when jumping was a bit patchy. Sold in February 6 for £215,000 – that would look cheap if he went on to win the National.

25 Limerick Lace (IRE)

Limerick Lace (IRE)
TRAINER  Gavin Cromwell
JOCKEY  Mark Walsh
WEIGHT  10st 8lb
ODDS  8/1
Good homebred mare of JP McManus. A better chaser than hurdler and impressive 10 length winner at Doncaster before winning mares’ race at Cheltenham. Has plenty of gears and has done most of her racing over two and a half but was sent off favourite on her first start over three in the Troytown. Good effort there to finish second to Coko Beach – she was the one to take out of the race. Not a certainly to get the trip but in flying form. Last and 13th mare to win was Nickel Coin in 1951 so we are about due one.

26 Meetingofthewaters (IRE)

Meetingofthewaters (IRE)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Danny Mullins
WEIGHT  10st 8lb
ODDS  11/1
Joined Mullins at the start of the season. Went straight from winning his beginners chase to winning the competitive Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. Lot of National aspirants behind him that day and the handicapper put him up 15lbs for that. Unseating his jockey at the Dublin Racing Festival absolutely no fault of his own as something fell in front of him at the first. Bought by JP McManus just before Cheltenham where he was third in the Ultima which puts him right in the mix.

27 The Goffer (IRE)

The Goffer (IRE)
TRAINER  Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY  Sean Bowen
WEIGHT  10st 8lb
ODDS  50/1
Fourth to Kitty’s Light in last year’s Bet365 Gold Cup which puts him in the picture in terms of stamina. By the same sire as Noble Yeats. He hasn’t been running badly this season but not exactly rocking it in two starts since second in Galway Plate but that shows he has a bit of pace to go with the stamina. Fifth in Ultima but hated the ground and were it come up good to soft in the mix of a low weight.

28 Roi Mage (FR)

Roi Mage (FR)
TRAINER  Patrick Griffin
JOCKEY  James Reveley
WEIGHT  10st 8lb
ODDS  40/1
Name may not be up in lights but has won his fair share of prize-money during his career. Has had more trainers than Emma Radacanu but giving Paddy Griffin some fun in the twilight of career mainly spent in France. Ran a blinder in last year’s National to finish seventh, only beaten 14 lengths by Corach Rambler giving French champion Felix de Giles a dream ride. Returned to Compiegne to win the Grand-Steeple-Cross Country there in the autumn. If you get him in the office sweepstake he would give you a run for your money.

29 Glengouly (FR)

Glengouly (FR)
TRAINER  WP Mullins
JOCKEY  Michael O’Sullivan
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  66/1
Appeared to take a while to regain his mojo after a fall last season but has been a good second in two handicap chases this season. Any stamina doubts cast aside when second in a heavy ground Thyestes Chase on the heavy when second to Ain’t That A Shame. Looks like he’s improving, gradually rather than rapidly but going in the right direction. Handles heavy so one to consider if it comes up wet in April.

30 Galia Des Liteaux (FR)

Galia Des Liteaux (FR)
TRAINER  Dan Skelton
JOCKEY  Harry Skelton
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  22/1
Would be bidding to become the first mare to win the race since Nickel Coin in 1951 and only 14th in total. However Magic of Light was a good second to Tiger Roll in 2019 so that should be no bar. She looked the one to take out of the Warwick Classic when staying on strongly to chase My Silver Lining home. On that basis she has a good each-way chance but you would want to put a line through her latest start at Exeter.

31 Panda Boy (IRE)

Panda Boy (IRE)
TRAINER  Martin Brassil
JOCKEY  JJ Slevin
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  10/1
Another grey bidding to join an elite club of just three horses of that colour (The Lamb 1886 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012) to have triumphed in the National. Maybe maligning him to say he does not win that often but he maybe being protected from the handicapper at the moment after his very creditable fifth in last year’s Irish National. Otherwise he is a consistent sort trained by Martin Brassil who sent out Numbersixvalverde to win earlier this century. A staying-on fourth in a hurdle last time, the sort of name that would attract a lot of once-a-year-punters and the Chinese on the day.

32 Eklat De Rire (FR)

Eklat De Rire (FR)
TRAINER  Henry De Bromhead
JOCKEY  Darragh O’Keefe
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  80/1
Not many miles on the clock for his age. Looked to be a smart novice when winning Grade 3 chase on his second start but unseated in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham behind Monkfish Nevertheless punters liked him enough to send him off favourite for the 2022 Coral Gold Cup but pulled up by Rachael Blackmore. Must have had his problems and has appeared to have slightly lost his way since. Not an obvious chance.

33 Chambard (FR)

Chambard (FR)
TRAINER  Venetia Williams
JOCKEY  Lucy Turner
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  50/1
Would be bidding to give Venetia Williams a second National winner after Mon Mome but this would be an all-female victory were the 12-year-old to triumph; he is invariably ridden by Lucy Turner, who would be the first female amateur to win the race. She won the Kim Muir on him in 2022 and his first win since was over the National course at Aintree in December when he took to the fences like a duck to water beating Coko Beach 13 lengths. Age is but a number however the last 12-year-old to win was Amberleigh House 20 years ago.

34 Kitty’s Light (GB)

Kitty’s Light (GB)
TRAINER  Christian Williams
JOCKEY  Jack Tudor
WEIGHT  10st 7lb
ODDS  14/1
Christian Williams has actually won a Grand National – the virtual one in 2020 with his 2019 Welsh National winner Potters Corner but, obviously, you can’t dine out on that. It’s been a difficult year for the Welsh trainer and his family with daughter Betsy being treated for leukaemia and winning the National would be a wonderful tonic. The eight-year-old always comes good in the spring and last year completed the Eider Chase-Scottish National – Bet365 Gold Cup treble. He’s mainly been kept to hurdles this season to protect his handicap which should see him scrape in a 34 runner National near the bottom of the handicap.
Acknowledgement: Content by Marcus Armytage, RACING CORRESPONDENT and Tom Ward

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